Sausage Soup

Homemade sausage soup will generally stay good for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator. If you've purchased canned or pre-packaged soup, it should last unopened in your pantry until the 'best by' date on the can, generally between 2 to 5 years! Once opened, canned soup should be eaten within 3 to 4 days. If you're looking to make a big batch of homemade soup and have leftovers, you can freeze it, and it will typically last up to 2-3 months.

If your sausage soup has gone bad, you might notice a few different signs. First, always take a look for any discoloration or spots of mold. Also, if the soup has a slimy or thickened texture, this is a definite sign it's past its prime. An off or sour smell is another giveaway. And, of course, if the soup has been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, it's safer to throw it out, as bacteria may have started to grow.

• Always store your soup in a tightly sealed container to keep air out and maintain freshness. • Cooled soup should be put in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking to minimize the growth of bacteria. • To freeze sausage soup, be sure to cool it first before placing in freezer-safe containers. Leave some room at the top of each container, as the soup will expand as it freezes. • When defrosting frozen soup, it's best to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator to ensure it defrosts evenly. • If you have a large quantity of soup, consider storing in individual servings. This makes defrosting quicker and you can easily grab a serving when you need it.