When you prepare a delicious, large pot of steaming hot soup. While enjoying most of it, you often have leftovers for another day. Now you might wonder: Should a large pot of soup sit on the range until it cools, or should it be refrigerated hot?
Refrigerators are exceptional for keeping takeaway or home-cooked food safe. But leaving a large container of soup out on the range for more than 2 hours is not a good idea. In this article, we’ll break down why soup storage matters, exactly how to store it properly, how to tell when it has gone bad, and provide useful tips for refrigerating hot food.
Can You Put Hot Soup in the Fridge?
Placing hot soup in the fridge is usually not recommended because it warms up the temperature as heat transfers to already cold items. What you can do is let it cool a bit, but don’t leave it on the counter for more than 2 hours.
Why Proper Storage of Soup Matters
Bacteria grow rapidly between 40°F and 140°F, which is why it is often called the “danger zone.” To prevent this, it’s crucial to store your delicious soup properly to keep it safe and retain its taste. It’s best to refrigerate the soup within 2 hours of being cooked. The sooner the soup is cooled and refrigerated, the safer it will be.
How to Store Soup in the Fridge
When you think about storing soup, many questions about its safety come up: Can you put soup in the fridge hot? Or how long should the soup cool before refrigerating? Below, we discuss how to store your cream- and broth-based soups correctly.
Storing Creamy Soup the Right Way
Storing creamy soups, like cream of chicken or cream of mushroom, can feel like a challenge because they go bad more quickly. You can follow our tips for safe storage:
- Cool your soup to room temperature and then put it in the fridge. This way, condensation doesn’t build up, which usually dilutes the soup and ruins the taste.
- Because creamy soup contains dairy, it doesn’t freeze well. It’s best not to store it for more than 3 days, as it can separate and turn grainy when you reheat it.
- When you cook soup in bulk, freeze a portion before adding any cream or milk. You can add the cream when reheating for the perfect texture.
- Putting a label and date on your soup can help you remember how long you can consume it.
Storing Broth-Based Soup the Right Way
Broth-based soups, like chicken stew or vegetable soup, are easier to store than cream-based soups. They are more refrigerator-friendly and can be stored for longer. Here is how to properly store broth-based soups:
- Let the soup cool slightly before placing it in the refrigerator. Placing hot soup can increase the temperature and put other items at risk.
- Store your soup in glass containers or quart-size freezer bags. Make sure you have sealed the containers tightly to avoid freezer burn.
- You can store broth-based soups in the fridge for about 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How Long Does Soup Last in the Fridge?
You can store soup for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. But it’s always best to keep an eye out to avoid eating spoiled soup. Some factors that decide how long soup lasts in the fridge include:
- Ingredients: Dairy or cream-based and meat-based soups spoil more quickly. But a vegetable-based soup lasts longer in the refrigerator.
- Acidity: Soups containing tomatoes last a little longer because they are naturally acidic. The acidity in these soups hinders bacterial growth.
- Temperature: If you leave your soup on the kitchen table for too long before refrigerating, it will spoil faster, even if you freeze it.
- Contamination: Using dirty serving spoons, dipping used spoons in soup multiple times, or storing soup in an open container reduces the shelf life of your yummy soup.
How to Tell the Soup Has Gone Bad?
Can soup go bad? Sometimes we forget to put leftover soup in the fridge in time, and they sit longer than planned. This often leads to spoilage. Some signs that indicate your soup is not safe to eat include:
- If the soup smells off or there is a sour odor.
- Any noticeable mold, discoloration, or slimy texture means it is spoiled.
- It has cloudiness, but it was not part of the recipe.
- If it smells fine, you can also taste it. If your soup tastes sour or strange, it’s time to toss it out. But if you doubt it has gone bad, don’t taste it.
Common Soup Storage Mistakes That Should Be Avoided
You often make soup storage mistakes that lead to spoilage and foodborne illnesses. The following are common mistakes you must avoid to keep the refrigerator and food safe.
- Leaving the soup on the stove to cool down for more than 2 hours.
- Storing soup in a huge, deep container. The centers of these pots stay warm too long.
- Storing soup in a metal pot in the fridge— metal can react with acidic ingredients and affect flavor.
- Sipping the soup when it’s cold to see if it’s still safe to eat.
What Happens When You Put Hot Food into a Fridge Too Quickly?
Can you put hot food in the fridge too quickly? The simple answer is no. Here is why. When you put hot food into a refrigerator, it raises the temperature of other items stored inside. Now, even the most durable appliance will have a hard time maintaining a low temperature when piping-hot food is heating everything else, too.
Moreover, when a warm or hot food item enters your fridge, the inconsistent temperatures create condensation. This generally settles on the back wall of your refrigerator and becomes ice. As a result, it can freeze anything that touches the wall.
What is the Temperature Danger Zone in Food?
According to the USDA, the danger zone is the range of temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, where cooked food can grow bacteria over time. This is usually the ideal setting for most pathogens that we fear growing.
Understanding the importance of the danger zone can help you estimate how long cooked food can be left unrefrigerated. This danger zone includes the temperature and time that can cause food to become unsafe to consume.
How Long Should You Let Food Cool Before Refrigerating?
We know how good it feels to have leftover food to devour the next day, and you don’t have to cook. But how long should you let food cool before refrigerating? Usually, it’s best to put hot cooked food into the fridge within 2 hours.
After this time period, your food can provide the perfect conditions for bacterial growth. This can cause foodborne illnesses if consumed. Two hours is ample time for hot food to cool down to a fridge-ready temperature.
Practical Tips to Refrigerate Hot Food
If you have prepared a large batch of soup and you can’t wait for 2 hours for it to cool down, you can follow these tips to cool it faster.
- Portion it out: Divide food into smaller containers. Food cools down faster in smaller portions.
- Cool the food in stainless steel containers: Stainless steel shifts heat much quicker than plastic. And you can store it in a plastic container in the fridge.
- Add ice cubes: if you’re cooling soup, stew, or anything that won’t be affected by adding water, put a few ice cubes to help it cool faster.
- Give your packed food a cold bath before refrigerating: Once you have packed your leftovers in an air-tight container, place it in a sink filled with icy water to cool it properly.
Final Thoughts: Should a Large Pot of Soup Sit on the Range Until It Cools, or Should It Be Refrigerated Hot?
Soups are comforting and amazing for leftovers, but only when they are stored properly. Whether you have prepared and planned to store a big batch of soup or are saving leftover store-bought soup for the next day, understanding how to store it properly assists in keeping it safe and fresh.
Leaving a hot pot of soup on the range until it cools is not a good idea. But before you refrigerate it, you should cool it by dividing it into smaller containers.
FAQs
Does chicken broth need to be refrigerated?
Yes, opened store-bought and homemade chicken broth should be refrigerated within 2 hours of being cooked for maximum food safety. You must never leave it sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
How long does chicken soup last in the fridge?
Chicken soup generally lasts for 3-5 days. To increase the shelf life of cooked chicken soup for safety and quality. Also, store the soup in a covered, air-tight container. For longer storage, you can freeze it.
How long is potato soup good for in the fridge?
Potato soup usually lasts for 3-4 days in the fridge when you properly store it. Also, because potato soups often contain dairy or cream, they are more likely to go bad more quickly than chicken or vegetable soups.
Is it dangerous to put hot food in the refrigerator?
Putting hot food straight into the fridge can pose a safety risk because food may not cool down evenly in the vessel. This can lead to bacterial growth in the warmer parts and cause foodborne illnesses when you eat it.
Can I freeze soup to store it longer?
Yes, you can freeze soup, as it is the perfect way to extend its shelf life. Most soups stay safe and fresh to eat for up to 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
Does homemade soup spoil faster than store-bought soup?
Yes, homemade soup generally spoils faster than store-bought soup, and lasts about 3-4 days in the fridge. Since homemade soups don’t contain preservatives, they have fresh stock, vegetables, or meat. This is why your homemade soups may spoil faster. Here is the shelf life of homemade soup in the fridge.
| Type of Soup | Homemade Soup (Days) | Store-Bought Soup (Days) |
| Tomato Soup | 4-5 days (acidic, keeps it well) | 5-7 days |
| Chicken Soup | 3-4 days | 4-5 days |
| Potato Soup (creamy) | 4-5 days | 5-6 days |
| Vegetable Soup | 3-4 days | 4 days |
You may also find this related blog post very useful:
How Long Can I Keep Meat in the Fridge?
How Long Do Eggs Last in the Fridge?
What refrigerant is used in refrigerators?
Ideal storage temperature for your food.
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About The Author
Evan Wang
I am Evan Wang, the General Manager, Marketing Director, and SEO Expert at Sunnyda Cold Room. I have over 20 years of experience in the refrigeration industry, and my expertise is in commercial refrigeration solutions.
I’d be delighted to share practical ideas about refrigeration products, project selection, export trade, SEO, and marketing.
Let’s connect!
