Broccoli cheese soup is a delicious and comforting soup that can be enjoyed as a starter or a meal on its own. However, like any leftover, broccoli cheese soup has a limited shelf life in the refrigerator. Properly stored broccoli cheese soup will maintain safety and quality for 3-4 days in the fridge. Read on to find out how long broccoli cheese soup will actually last in the fridge and the signs that indicate it has spoiled.
Quick Answer
Properly stored, homemade or store-bought broccoli cheese soup will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. To extend its shelf life, broccoli cheese soup can also be frozen for up to 3 to 4 months.
How Long Does Broccoli Cheese Soup Last in the Fridge?
When stored properly in an airtight container, broccoli cheese soup that has been freshly cooked or opened from a can will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. The shelf life depends on a variety of factors like ingredients used, storage method, and age of the soup after cooking.
Here are some general guidelines for how long broccoli cheese soup lasts refrigerated:
- Freshly made homemade broccoli cheese soup: 3 to 4 days
- Leftover homemade broccoli cheese soup: 3 to 4 days
- Unopened canned broccoli cheese soup: 2 to 3 years past expiration date
- Opened canned broccoli cheese soup: 3 to 4 days
- Pre-made broccoli cheese soup from deli: 3 to 4 days
- Frozen broccoli cheese soup, thawed in fridge: 3 to 4 days
These timelines are for broccoli cheese soup stored properly in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The soup lasts much shorter if left at room temperature. Make sure to seal broccoli cheese soup air tight and store promptly in the fridge after cooking or opening.
Does Broccoli Cheese Soup Go Bad?
Yes, like any food broccoli cheese soup can go bad if not stored properly. Some signs that broccoli cheese soup has gone bad include:
- Mold growth
- Soupy separates into watery liquid and clumpy solids
- Noticeable sour smell
- Change in consistency to become too thick/gelatinous
- Strange colors like blue, green, or pink
Discard broccoli cheese soup immediately if it shows any of these signs of spoilage. Do not taste or reheat soup that has gone bad as it can cause food poisoning.
How to Tell If Broccoli Cheese Soup Is Bad?
Here are some handy ways to determine if broccoli cheese soup has gone bad and needs to be thrown out:
Smell
Fresh broccoli cheese soup has a pleasant aroma of cheese, broth, and vegetables. Soured broccoli cheese soup gives off unpleasant sour, rotten, or ammonia-like odors. Trust your nose, if the soup smells off, it has spoiled.
Texture
Good broccoli cheese soup should have a smooth, creamy consistency. Separation of liquids and solids or abnormal thickening/sliminess indicates the soup has spoiled.
Color
Broccoli cheese soup made with quality ingredients has a rich cream color. Unnatural colors like blue, green or pink hues point to bacterial growth and spoilage.
Mold
The presence of mold, even in small spots, is a sure indicator broccoli cheese soup has spoiled and should be discarded. Do not try to scoop out the moldy portions.
Expiration Date
Check the use-by/sell-by date on commercial broccoli cheese soup. Consume canned or pre-made soups before the date for best quality.
Storage Time
Broccoli cheese soup lasts 3-4 days after cooking when properly refrigerated. Toss soup that is older than 4 days.
How to Store Broccoli Cheese Soup
Proper storage is key to maximizing the shelf life of broccoli cheese soup. Follow these tips:
- Cool soup quickly after cooking, do not leave at room temperature more than 2 hours.
- Transfer to airtight containers or resealable plastic bags.
- Make sure soup is covered tightly with lid or plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate promptly at 40°F or below.
- Use within 3 to 4 days for best quality.
- Do not store in the door, coldest fridge spots are best.
- Freeze for long term storage up to 4 months.
Can You Freeze Broccoli Cheese Soup?
Yes, broccoli cheese soup freezes well for long term storage. To freeze:
- Let soup cool completely after cooking.
- Transfer to airtight freezer containers or bags.
- Leave 1⁄2 inch headspace for expansion.
- Seal lids tightly.
- Label with date and contents.
- Freeze for up to 4 months at 0°F.
Thaw frozen broccoli cheese soup overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop or microwave. Use thawed soup within 3-4 days.
How to Make Broccoli Cheese Soup Last Longer?
Try these tips to extend the shelf life of broccoli cheese soup:
- Prepare soup in smaller batches to avoid having leftovers sit too long.
- Cool quickly after cooking and refrigerate within 2 hours.
- Divide into shallow containers for faster chilling.
- Use airtight freezer-safe packaging for storage.
- Freeze for long-term storage up to 4 months.
- Always refrigerate promptly after reheating leftovers.
- Avoid introducing bacteria by using clean utensils and containers.
Proper cooling, storage technique, and freezing are the best ways to make broccoli cheese soup last longer. Discard soup if older than 4 days refrigerated.
How Many Days Does Broccoli Cheese Soup Last in the Fridge?
| Broccoli Cheese Soup Type | Refrigerator Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Freshly made homemade soup | 3 to 4 days |
| Leftover homemade soup | 3 to 4 days |
| Unopened canned soup | 2 to 3 years past expiration date |
| Opened canned soup | 3 to 4 days |
| Pre-made deli soup | 3 to 4 days |
| Thawed frozen soup | 3 to 4 days |
For optimal freshness and food safety, broccoli cheese soup should be consumed within 3 to 4 days of refrigeration. Discard soup if it is older than 4 days in the fridge.
Signs Broccoli Cheese Soup Has Gone Bad
Here are some common signs that indicate broccoli cheese soup has spoiled and should be thrown out:
- Appearance: Unnatural colors, mold growth, watery separation
- Texture: Extremely thick and lumpy, slimy consistency
- Smell: Sour, rotten, ammonia-like odor
- Taste: Significant flavor changes like sour, bitter, rancid notes
- Expiration: Stored past recommended shelf life in fridge
When in doubt, remember the old adage – when in doubt, throw it out. Do not take chances with food safety.
Tips to Make Broccoli Cheese Soup Last Longer
Here are some useful tips to help maximize the shelf life of broccoli cheese soup:
Storage
- Refrigerate in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking/opening.
- Store soup in shallow containers for faster cooling.
- Keep at proper refrigerator temperature, 40°F or below.
- Avoid storing in refrigerator door where temperature fluctuates.
Freezing
- Freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 4 months.
- Allow soup to cool fully before freezing.
- Leave 1⁄2 inch headspace to prevent freezer burn.
Handling
- Use clean utensils and containers to prevent bacteria spread.
- Portion soup into smaller quantities to limit leftovers.
- Never mix fresh soup with old when reheating.
Following proper storage, freezing, and handling practices can help extend the fridge life of broccoli cheese soup. But do not keep soup longer than 4 days refrigerated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat broccoli cheese soup that has been in the fridge for 5 days?
No, it is not recommended to eat broccoli cheese soup that has been refrigerated for longer than 4 days. Broccoli cheese soup keeps for 3 to 4 days maximum in the fridge before spoiling. Discard any soup kept refrigerated for more than 4 days.
Can I freeze broccoli cheese soup twice?
It is not recommended to freeze broccoli cheese soup twice. Freezing twice can lead to loss of flavor and texture. For best quality, thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze thawed soup.
What happens if you eat spoiled broccoli cheese soup?
Consuming spoiled, rotten broccoli cheese soup can cause foodborne illness. Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea may occur within 12-48 hours of eating bad soup. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe.
How can you tell if canned broccoli cheese soup is bad?
Signs that canned broccoli cheese soup has gone bad include bulging cans, corrosion, leaks, foul odors, abnormal textures, and mold. Discard cans that are damaged, rusted, or severely dented. Do not consume soup past expiration date.
Can spoiled broccoli cheese soup make you sick?
Yes, eating spoiled, rotten broccoli cheese soup can make you sick. The soup may harbor dangerous bacteria like Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus that can cause food poisoning if ingested. Discard soup at first signs of spoilage.
Conclusion
Broccoli cheese soup has a limited shelf life of just 3 to 4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. Be sure to store it in airtight containers in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking or opening. Check for signs of spoilage like changes in color, texture, and smell before consuming. Discard soup if it is older than 4 days refrigerated or shows any mold growth. Freezing broccoli cheese soup can extend its shelf life for up to 4 months. Following proper storage and freezing guidelines can help maximize the lifespan and safety of broccoli cheese soup. But when in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry – if broccoli cheese soup seems suspicious, throw it out!