Shelf Life Tips
- How long does turkey soup last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened turkey soup refrigerated and tightly covered.
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To maximize the shelf life of canned or packaged turkey soup after opening, refrigerate in covered glass or plastic container.
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How long does opened turkey soup last in the refrigerator? Turkey soup that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 3 to 4 days.
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Is turkey soup safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged turkey soup will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the turkey soup will remain at peak quality.
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To further extend the shelf life of opened turkey soup, freeze it: to freeze turkey soup, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long does turkey soup last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 6 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - turkey soup that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does turkey soup last after being frozen and thawed? Turkey soup that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; turkey soup that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately.
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How can you tell if opened turkey soup is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the turkey soup: if the turkey soup develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Discard all turkey soup from cans or packages that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
