In this brief article, we are going to answer the question “Can hot soup go in the fridge?”
Can hot soup go in the fridge?
Yes, hot soup can go in the fridge, but it’s better to let it sit at room temperature for some time before placing it in the fridge.
However, soups should not be chilled for more than two hours on the counter due to the risk of bacteria reproduction.
Taking soup from 140°F to 40°F or lower on the counter would take approximately two hours because of its liquid nature.
After 2 hours on the counter, they should be cooled to 70F, then 40F for 4 hours in the refrigerator.
Is it necessary to keep soup refrigerated?
Following the advice of several health experts, refrigerating newly produced broccoli cheese or chicken and rice soup is mandatory.
When food is left to chill on the countertop, dangerous germs may grow and cause food poisoning.
Unlike rotting bacteria, these bacteria are categorized as harmful bacteria, and they and their activities are undetectable to human sight.
To put it simply, pathogenic bacteria are most active between 40°F and 140°F (the danger zone), and it takes around 2 hours or less for them to come out of their cooking-induced sleep and start multiplying like weeds.
Without special attempts to chill it quicker, an 8-inch pot packed almost to the full with just cooked soup will take at least one and a half hours to cool entirely. The soup pot will remain in the danger zone for a long time, ultimately becoming a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria in the air and those that survived heating!
Is it okay to put hot leftovers in the fridge right away?
If you leave leftover meals out for too long, bacteria might develop on them. As a result, you may wish to limit the danger by putting your hot leftovers in the fridge right away.
Small quantities of hot meals may be put in the fridge promptly and securely, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Single portions of food or enough to fill tiny containers are examples of modest quantities of food.
It’s unclear, however, if storing bigger quantities of hot items in the fridge is safe.
Large plates of hot leftovers may heat up the items around them, putting them in the danger zone and raising your risk of foodborne disease.
To be safe, the USDA suggests separating big foods like soup or stew into smaller, shallow containers before refrigerating them.
More study is required to understand how long it takes refrigerators to return hot leftovers to a safe internal temperature and if considerable bacterial growth happens in the meantime.
What Happens If Soup Goes Bad?
Soup does go sour after a while. Temperature, how properly you keep it, cooking method, and whether or not your soup is completely handmade all affect the shelf life of soup.
It also depends on the kind of components you use, whether they are just veggies or meat.
Uncooked premade soup mixes should be stored in a cold, dry location. It’s powdered soup containers we’re talking about.
If properly preserved, they may survive up to two years. Soup mixtures made with vegetables will last longer than those made with meat.
A ‘use before’ or ‘best by date is printed on powdered soup containers and canned soup cans.
To ensure food safety, the US Food and Drug Administration strongly advises customers to follow the ‘use before’ or ‘best by dates.
The dates are approximated for your convenience, considering what’s in your soup, so make use of it.
When it comes to canned soup, it may survive for 2 to 5 years if kept unopened and properly maintained.
In fact, since canned soup has such a long shelf life, prominent soup makers such as Campbell’s do not publish a ‘best before date on any of their goods that may survive more than two years.
To extend the shelf life, put them in the refrigerator or freezer.
Soups cooked with fresh ingredients at home have a longer shelf life. Because there are no preservatives or processed components, they do not last as long as boxed or canned soup.
A handmade soup may survive up to 5 days.
Soups made with vegetables and acidic elements like tomatoes are reported to survive longer, but meat-based soups may only last three days. You may extend the shelf life of homemade soup by freezing it.
What is the safest way to chill soup?
Ice bathe
Soups may be cooled in an ice bath. This method enables you to quickly and securely cool your food.
• Fill a large container or a clean sink with ice and water.
• Submerge the soup pot in ice.
• Stir the soup to cool it down.
You may refrigerate the soup container after it has cooled to 70°F. Put it on the top shelf. Cover when 40°F. Consume or freeze leftovers within 4 days.
Be proactive while cooling soup. Prepare ahead of time to refrigerate a large pot of soup. Start with a reliable food thermometer to keep track of the chilling process.
Other FAQs about Soup that you may be interested in.
How to add flavour to a bland soup?
How to add flavour to bland chicken noodle soup?
How do I add flavour to bland cabbage soup?
How to add flavour to bland potato soup?
Conclusion
In this brief article, we answered the question “Can hot soup go in the fridge?”
