Expiration & Storage Tips
When does Chicken and Rice Soup expire?
Commercial canned chicken and rice soup can last anywhere from 2-5 years past the printed date if it is unopened and stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, the soup should be eaten within 2-3 days if stored in a refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you portion it out and freeze it, the soup can last anywhere from 4-6 months.
How do you tell if Chicken and Rice Soup is bad?
Here are some signs to indicate that your chicken and rice soup has gone bad: The smell will be off, and not appealing. Spoiled soup may also take on a slimy or mushy texture. Another big red flag is if the color of the soup is darker than when you first made or opened it. If the soup has been left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, the safe bet would be to throw it away, as harmful bacteria could have started growing.
Tips for storing Chicken and Rice Soup to extend shelf life
• Always refrigerate your soup within two hours of cooking or opening the can.
• Store your soup in a shallow container. This will help it cool off a bit faster and will keep it fresh for a longer period.
• Consider portioning your soup into individual servings before you freeze it. This will help make defrosting easier and you’ll only defrost what you need.
• When defrosting your soup, the safest method is thawing it in your refrigerator. However, if you need to speed up the process, you can defrost it in a microwave.
• Always stir your soup thoroughly when reheating to ensure it's properly heated throughout.