Homemade soups have a therapeutic way of warming up the house and filling bellies. The sweet aroma help bring the family together and knowing you can store them for about 3-7 days, encourages many households to indulge in cooking it.
Homemade soups have shelf life according to the type of soup, spices, thickening agents, or proteins used to make them. Many of us wonder how to properly store up or reheat our homemade soup and how long it can last when refrigerated.
There are different types of homemade soups and each has a varied shelf life. Clear vegetable soups contain acidity so they could last 5-7 days, broth-based soups last 3-5 days, creamy soups and seafood soups last for about 2-3 days whilst watery soups with tomatoes and other acidic ingredients last up to 7 days in the fridge.
Homemade soups are essential meals in every home and they help one to always have a food option at home or in the office. Always remember to store soups in small portions, to cool them faster and stay fresh longer. Read on as we discuss how long you can store your soups and how to reheat them.
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The Different Types of Homemade Soups
There are about 6 different types of homemade soups, that are cooked according to preference. They can be easily classified into two groups: Thick soup and clear Soups. Creamy, potage and bisque soups belong to the Thick soups category. While stock and broth, consommé, and bouillon belong to the clear soups category.
Thick soups usually contain thickening agents like flour, cornstarch, or vegetables while clear soups are garnished with flavors and spices but have no thickening agent.
Let’s explain the different types of soups and what contents are usually found in them, using a tabular format. Cooking is about expression, so you can always design your homemade soups according to your preference.
| Name of Soup | Contents of Soup |
| Consommé | It is a classic clear soup, made by heating tomatoes, egg white, and minced meat. |
| Stock, broth, and bouillon | They are all same type of clear soup, made by cooking either meat, chicken, or seafood and paired with acidic ingredients like vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, and celery. Broths can also thicken. |
| Creamy soup | They are made with a mixture of flour, and butter and combined with milk or cream. Mushroom soup or chicken soup is a popular creamy soup |
| Bisque | This is made by heating the flavors from crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. Rice and ground shellfish are also used to thicken the soup. |
| Potage | This soup is made by cooking meat, vegetables, and spices until the broth is done. |
How to Store Homemade Soups and How Long they Last?
Now that we understand the different types of soups, let’s briefly explain how you can store your soups properly to keep staying fresh and last longer.
1. Using The Fridge (40°F or below)
The chilling method is the best way to store your soups so they last for longer days. Many homemade soups can last for about 3-7 days depending on the contents of the homemade soup, what kind of container was used, and how efficient the chilling from the fridge is.
2. Using The Freezer (0°F or below)
The freezer helps for extended shelf life for your homemade soups or any food in general. If stored properly, they can stay up to 4-6 months or more, with a consistent chill blast from the freezer.
Using a tabular format, let’s explain what soup and how long it can last in the fridge
| Name/Type of Homemade Soup | How Long They Last In The Fridge |
| Clear soup made with vegetables/ tomatoes | Acidic ingredients can last up to 7 days |
| Creamy soups | It can last for about 3 days |
| Broth or Stock soups | About 3-5 days, cause of the proteins (chicken, fish or meat) cooked with it. |
| Seafood based soups | About 2-3 days |
| Chicken soups | About 3-5 days, because of the broth used. |
Always remember to store your homemade soups in an airtight container but in small portions. Always do a nose or thumb-to-taste check for sourness or staleness before heating up the homemade soup. Also, many homemade soup recipes do inform you about how long that soup can last when stored properly.
3. Reheating Your Homemade Soups
Soups in general are easy and quick to reheat, always remember to take out the portion you intend to use and continue cooling the rest. It is best to be alert and in the kitchen when reheating your soup, and only reheat soups that still smell fresh or good.
4. Using A Stovetop or Cooker
After your homemade soup has defrosted, transfer to a pot and allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes on your stovetop, you can use a pan, saucepan, or pot to reheat your soup. If your reheating a clear soup and water or stock is lost, you can adjust it by adding the liquid needed.
Also when reheating a creamy, or thickened with flour, or seafood soup; bring it to a boil, then lower the heat, gently stir it and allow to simmer for three minutes.
5. Using Microwave
This method is best for homemade soups that were stored in a microwaveable storage container, or glass jar, any other content is not advisable. Simply microwave it on low power or 1-2 minutes, and then check at intervals until satisfied.
6. Using a Bowl Filled with Warm Water/Water Bath
This is a good alternative for creamy soups or a soup that contains various veggies (vegetables). By indirectly heating the soup through a warm bowl, the texture of the flour, cream, or milk present won’t be damaged. You can simply put the container inside a hot water bath and heat it on low-medium heat. Or you place the container inside a bowl filled with warm water.
7. How to Re-garnish Your Homemade Soups
With all the lessons learned on the different types of homemade soups, how long each type lasts in the fridge, and how to reheat them. Let’s simply discuss how to re-garnish them, so as to add flavor or a certain newness to the soup.
You can simply start by adding new food spices to the soups, or fresh vegetables, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, and proteins when needed. You can also garnish your soup with noodles, rice, or any other thickening agent like flour, cream, or milk when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best containers to store soups in the fridge or freezer?
Airtight plastic containers are best to use. You can also use Tupperware containers, airtight plastic freezer bags, plastic food storage sets, or microwaveable storage bowls to store soups in the fridge or freezer.
How long does cooked vegetable soups last in the fridge?
It usually depends on the contents of the cooked vegetable soups or the efficiency of the fridge. But it should stay fresh for about 3-5 days.
How to tell when homemade soups have gone bad?
If you notice, smell, or taste an off odor, taste, or appearance, it has gone bad. If you also start to notice molds or off-color in the soup, discard it.
When should homemade soups be stored in the fridge?
They should be stored after about 2 hours of cooking and have cooled down. You pour them into small portions and into an airtight suitable container, to keep them staying fresh.
Summary
Homemade soups are delicious and can be paired with any side dish of your choice. They have this enjoyable warm aroma that brings people together and fills bellies. Always remember your homemade soups are only enjoyable when fresh and tasting good.
They should be stored properly using airtight containers and in small portions or per-person portions and kept in the fridge or freezer. Homemade soups can stay fresh and last in the fridge for about 3 days whilst clear veggies soup can last up to 5-7 days.
Ensure to reheat your soups at a low simmer with constant supervision and enjoy it with rice, noodles, or salads.
