Clam Chowder

Once you've opened a canned clam chowder, you can keep it refrigerated for about 3 to 4 days. If it is homemade clam chowder, try to consume it within 2 to 3 days of making. If you didn't open your canned soup, the 'best by' date printed on the can would typically be about 2 to 5 years from the production date and indicates when the soup will maintain optimal flavor and quality. As for freezing, you can freeze clam chowder for about 4 to 6 months.

Smelling and looking at your clam chowder is a great way to tell if it's spoiled. You're likely dealing with spoiled soup if it has an off smell, mold appears, or if the texture has become watery or slimy. The presence of an off color, especially a darker shade, can also be an indication of spoilage. As with all foods, when in doubt, throw it out.

• Always seal your clam chowder in an airtight container when storing it in the fridge or freezer. • If freezing, try portioning out the soup into individual servings so you can defrost only what you need. • To defrost, transfer your soup to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight, or you can use the defrost function on your microwave. • Cool your homemade chowder quickly before storing to slow the growth of bacteria. You can do this by placing the pot in a bath of ice water and stirring the soup. • Try to avoid reheating your clam chowder multiple times as it can degrade the texture and flavor.