How to Store Soups and Stews

You've just made a huge pot of soup or stew and you need to freeze the leftovers, or you just want the convenience of making food ahead and serving it later. Either way, there are some helpful methods that can make the process safe and easy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Store soup or stew in the refrigerator up to 3 days. If you want to store it longer, it should be stored in the freezer.

2. Cool hot soup or stew before refrigerating or freezing it. To do this quickly, make a "chill stick." Pre-freeze a small water bottle full of water, and submerge the frozen bottle into the hot liquid for a few minutes. Remove the chill stick and proceed with refrigerating or freezing the soup or stew.

3. Place the soup or stew in an airtight container, and remove as much air as possible before refrigerating or freezing. The less air in the container, the longer the soup or stew can be stored.

4. Separate the soup into smaller portions if this is the way you'll be serving it. Pour the cooled soup into resealable plastic bags and freeze them. Otherwise, store them in small, resealable containers.

Tips & Warnings

• If your soup or stew recipe calls for cooked potatoes, consider adding the potatoes just prior to cooking. Frozen potatoes will be edible, but they can turn an unslightly brown and may be mushy.
• Coop the soup or stew before refrigerating or freezing. Otherwise, the hot liquid can raise the temperature of your refrigerator or freezer, causing other food to spoil more quickly.

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