Shelf Life Tips
- How long does lentil soup last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened lentil soup refrigerated and tightly covered.
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To maximize the shelf life of canned or packaged lentil soup after opening, refrigerate in covered glass or plastic container.
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How long does opened lentil soup last in the refrigerator? Lentil soup that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 3 to 4 days.
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Is lentil 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 lentil 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 lentil soup will remain at peak quality.
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To further extend the shelf life of opened lentil soup, freeze it: to freeze lentil soup, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long does lentil 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 - lentil soup that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does lentil soup last after being frozen and thawed? Lentil soup that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; lentil 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 lentil soup is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the lentil soup: if the lentil soup develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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Discard all lentil 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
