← Food storage guide
How long does soup last in the fridge?
Short answer: Soup and stew keep 3–4 days in the fridge and 2–3 months in the freezer.
Soup: fridge and freezer times
| Food | Fridge (40°F / 4°C) | Freezer (0°F / −18°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Soups and stews with vegetables or meat | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
The fridge times are for safety: once they pass, throw it out. The freezer times are for best quality. Food kept frozen at 0°F stays safe indefinitely but slowly loses flavor and texture.
How to use it before it goes bad
- Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder. The times above assume it. A cheap fridge thermometer tells you for sure.
- Freeze on day one, not on the last day. If you won't eat it within the fridge time, freeze it as soon as you get home.
- Write the date on it. It's easy to lose count of how long something has been open.
- Put it where you'll see it. Food at the back of the fridge is the food that gets forgotten.
Common questions
How long does soup last in the fridge?
Soup and stew keep 3–4 days in the fridge and 2–3 months in the freezer.
How long does soup last in the freezer?
Frozen at 0°F (−18°C), soup stays safe indefinitely. For best quality, use it within: soups and stews with vegetables or meat: 2–3 months.
Can soup sit out at room temperature?
Perishable food shouldn't sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if it's above 90°F (32°C). After that, throw it out.
How long other foods last
Source: FoodSafety.gov, Cold Food Storage Chart. This page is general information, not medical advice. When in doubt, throw it out.