Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup is so easy to make, either on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. This healthy soup recipe has hearty vegetables, tender beef chunks, and a rich tomato broth that cooks them all together. An easy, cozy, satisfying meal that’s perfect to enjoy during the winter season!.
This vegetable beef soup is the very best warm and tasty meal! It’s also very high in protein and has a lot of vegetables.
The beef gets super tender as it cooks, and adds lots of flavor to the broth. Plus, it is so easy to throw together. Simply brown the meat and sauté the veggies. Stir in broth, tomatoes and seasoning. Let it all simmer together and dinner is served!.
This soup is great because it warms you up and makes you feel full. This dish is as filling and satisfying as it gets, with a rainbow of vegetables and beef that melts in your mouth. It’s a MUST make soup for a chilly day!.
Vegetable beef soup is a comforting and delicious meal that can be enjoyed all year round. It’s tasty nutritious and easy to make in large batches for leftovers. However, like any perishable food, it’s important to store and reheat it properly to avoid spoilage and foodborne illness. In this article we’ll explore exactly how long vegetable beef soup will keep in the refrigerator.
Factors that Determine Vegetable Beef Soup’s Shelf Life
Several factors impact how long vegetable beef soup will stay safe and retain optimal quality in the fridge
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Ingredients used: Soups containing meat and dairy don’t keep as long as plant-based soups. The beef and dairy in vegetable beef soup limit its shelf life.
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Storage container: An airtight container is best to prevent evaporation and limit air exposure. Covering the soup prevents it from picking up odors from other foods too.
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Storage temperature: Soup stored at a consistent 40°F or below in the refrigerator will keep longer than soup left out at room temperature for even short periods of time.
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Reheating: Reheating soup once extends its shelf life. But reheating more than once introduces more opportunities for bacteria to multiply to unsafe levels.
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Food safety: General food safety principles apply. Consuming soup past its prime increases risk of foodborne illnesses.
Shelf Life of Vegetable Beef Soup in the Fridge
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), soups containing meat and vegetables will keep for three to four days if refrigerated.
Therefore, the shelf life of homemade vegetable beef soup stored properly in the refrigerator is three to four days.
To provide a buffer, I recommend consuming the soup within three days for the best quality. Some additional time may be possible if the soup was very recently made, stored correctly, and your refrigerator runs cold.
Maximizing Vegetable Beef Soup’s Shelf Life
Follow these tips to get the maximum safe shelf life out of your vegetable beef soup:
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Cool the soup rapidly after cooking before refrigerating. Don’t leave it out more than two hours. Divide into smaller containers so it cools faster if needed.
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Store in airtight containers in the back of the refrigerator where temperature is coldest.
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Don’t overfill containers, leave at least 1 inch of headspace. Tightly sealed lids prevent spills.
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Use oldest soup first and check for signs of spoilage before reheating.
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Only reheat once. Toss leftovers after reheating for food safety.
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Boil reheated soup for 3-5 minutes to reduce bacterial growth.
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Avoid repeated warm-ups in the microwave which can encourage bacteria.
Recognizing Spoiled Vegetable Beef Soup
Watch for these signs that vegetable beef soup has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Unpleasant sour, rancid or off odors
- Mold growth
- Changes in texture like excessive sliminess
- Discoloration or graying
- Bubbling or fizzing when reheating
When in doubt, remember the old adage “when in doubt, throw it out” applies to questionable leftover soup too. Foodborne illnesses aren’t worth the risk.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Soup Safely
To safely store and reheat vegetable beef soup:
- Refrigerate in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking.
- Store soup in refrigerator for 3-4 days maximum.
- Only reheat once until steaming hot, at least 165°F.
- Bring leftovers to a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes before serving again.
- Discard any leftovers after reheating once.
Following these guidelines reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses like E. coli or Salmonella.
The Freezer Extends Shelf Life
While vegetable beef soup will only last 3-4 days in the refrigerator, the freezer expands its shelf life significantly.
Properly frozen homemade vegetable beef soup keeps safe for 2-3 months. Always thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Tips for Freezing Vegetable Beef Soup
To successfully freeze vegetable beef soup:
- Cool soup completely before freezing, within 2 hours of cooking.
- Portion into airtight freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch headspace.
- Label containers with name and date.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months at 0°F or below.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Freezing in individual portions makes for easy reheating. It also avoids the need to reheat a large batch multiple times.
Enjoy Vegetable Beef Soup Safely
When properly stored and handled, homemade vegetable beef soup can be safely enjoyed for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 2-3 months in the freezer. Be sure to cool and refrigerate it soon after cooking. Portion into shallow, airtight containers and store in the back of the refrigerator to maximize its shelf life.
Only reheat it once until steaming hot, about 165°F, and bring any leftovers to a boil before serving again. Finally, check for signs of spoilage and don’t consume anything questionable.
Following these simple guidelines allows you to safely store, reheat and enjoy delicious vegetable beef soup whenever the craving strikes! It provides nutritious leftovers for several days without the risk of foodborne illness.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Good for you. Full of healthy ingredients that will keep you full and help your body stay healthy This meal has a lot of good things for you, from the protein-packed beef to the healthy vegetables.
- Easy to make. This beef vegetable soup is so easy to make, and you can cook it in two different ways.
- Versatile. Two simple ways can be used to make this recipe. You can use a slow cooker to let the soup cook all day, or you can just put everything in a big pot and cook it on the stove. Either way is super simple!.
- Full of flavor. You’ll want to make this warm and tasty bowl over and over again all season. Serve with a warm loaf of crusty bread to soak up all the delicious broth.
One of the best things about veggie beef soup is that it’s completely customizable. I’ve listed the ingredients I usually use, but you can change any of them or leave any out completely if your family doesn’t like them. Here’s the lineup:
- Boneless beef chuck. Since it’s cheap, beef chuck is the best meat to use in beef soup or stew. Beef stew also works. The best meat for beef soup or stew is listed below.
- Vegetables. Carrots, an onion, tomatoes, potatoes, and peas are just a few of the healthy vegetables that are in this soup recipe.
- Fresh garlic. For a boost of delicious flavor.
- Seasonings. Adding dried thyme, a bay leaf, salt, and pepper to this soup makes it taste so much better. You can add your other favorite seasonings if you want to. Basil, oregano, and Italian seasoning are all great options.
- Broth. To make my vegetable soup taste better, I like to cook it in beef broth. I suggest using broth or stock with less salt so you can control how salty the soup is.
Best beef for soup
What’s the best beef cut for soup or stew? Chuck! Get a thick chuck pot roast and cut it up for the most tender taste.
If you want to cook chuck roast, you should do it under pressure or slowly. It’s tougher than sirloin or rib roast. Pressure cooking or slow cooking breaks down tough fibers, so the beef pieces become nice and tender.
Stew Meat is another option that works. Most beef stew meat is a mix of bits and pieces, and some bits can change texture when stewing. You may also get pieces that are very lean and pieces that are not.
I think chuck is the best beef for vegetable beef soup or stew because it has a consistent texture and marbling all over.
HOMEMADE VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP ❤️ Step by Step
FAQ
How long can I keep homemade vegetable beef soup in the refrigerator?
Can you eat vegetable soup after 5 days?
How long will homemade vegetable soup last in the fridge?
How long is soup with ground beef good for in the fridge?
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Category
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Food
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Refrigerator (40 °F or below)
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Soups & Stews
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Vegetable or meat added
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3 to 4 days
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Leftovers
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Cooked meat or poultry
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3 to 4 days
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Chicken nuggets or patties
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3 to 4 days
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Pizza
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3 to 4 days
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How long does beef vegetable soup last?
Store in the Fridge: A properly stored beef and vegetable soup will keep for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Firstly, let the soup cool to room temperature before pouring it into glass containers (don’t use plastic containers) and store it in the fridge. Store in the Freezer: You can store beef vegetable soup in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How long does vegetable soup last in the fridge?
The shelf life of vegetable soup in the fridge can vary based on the types of vegetables and other ingredients used. For example, if your soup contains ingredients like meat or dairy products, it may not last as long as a purely vegetarian soup. Additionally, the way the soup is stored can impact its shelf life.
How do you store beef & vegetable soup?
The best way to store your beef and vegetable soup in the fridge is to place it in an airtight container and keep it on the bottom shelf where it is coldest. Avoid storing it near the door or the top of the fridge, as the temperature there fluctuates the most. When reheating, make sure to heat it thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Can you freeze beef vegetable soup?
Simply let the soup cool to room temperature before pouring it into sealable freezer bags or containers. Defrost in the Fridge: The best way to defrost beef vegetable soup or any kind of frozen soup is to place the frozen container of soup in the fridge for 2 days before you want to use it.