Short term storage for fresh soup
I make and sell freshly made, plant based soups. (no dairy, oil or meat in them) I sell them in quart jars. I'm wondering if I hot water can them, will they last longer in the fridge, for my customers?
I was also told to just boil for a quick 10 minutes to prolong the freshness so they would be good for 7-10 days.
Right now I'm telling people to eat them within a few days, or to freeze them in a freezer safe container.
Best Answer
There is no such thing as "last a little bit longer". You either kill off all bacteria, which makes the soup shelf stable, or you don't, and then you have a 3-5 days of refrigerated lifetime.
All kinds of canning are only safe when you use recipes which have been tested for safety. I assume your soup recipe has not been tested. What is worse, it is very unlikely that it could ever pass the test, since foods with the right acidity to be hot water canned are rarely eaten as soups - they will taste more like a pickle.
Your only option seems to be pressure canning. Luckily for you, the USDA has a "make your own soup" pressure canning recipe. You are restricted in the ratio of vegetables and meat to water, but you are allowed to use any vegetable which is approved for canning on its own, and meat is also OK. Herbs and spices are allowed. You can find the actual recipe on the Internet.
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Quick Answer about "Short term storage for fresh soup"
The simplest way to store soups and stews (if you're planning to use them within a few days) is in the fridge. Refrigerating soups and stews is mostly a matter of transferring it to some sort of container with a tight-fitting lid and getting it into the fridge within two hours.How do you store fresh soup?
If you're using a storage container, first ladle the desired amount of soup into the container. Then, place a layer of Glad\xae Press'n Seal\xae directly on top of the soup to create an airtight barrier. Finally, put the lid on the container and make sure it's tightly sealed before storing it in your fridge.How long can I store homemade soup?
A general rule of thumb is that soup can be stored in the refrigerator for about three days, but you should always taste your dish before deciding to reheat. A clear, vegetable-based soup with some acidity, such as tomatoes, may last longer. Chicken soup usually lasts three to five days.How do you keep soup from spoiling without a refrigerator?
Drying is considered to be the easiest and least labour-intensive way to preserve food. Since mold, bacteria, and mildew thrive in a moist environment, drying is effective for food storage because it removes all water and can be stored safely for a long period of time.How do you store soup long term?
For a longer storage, you can freeze your favorite soup and stew recipes for up to six months. Simply transfer the soup to pint- or quart-sized containers (glass or plastic work just fine) or resealable freezer bags, and pop them in the freezer.More answers regarding short term storage for fresh soup
Answer 2
If you properly "can" the soup, it should last at least a few months on the pantry shelf (before opening). After it's opened, (refridgerated) leftovers would almost certainly last a week. It would probably make transporting a little easier as well.
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