Yes. Canned soup is already fully cooked, so you can heat it as many times as you like before opening, and reheat the leftovers once opened. Move leftovers out of the can into a covered container, keep them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, and reheat them until they’re steaming hot (165°F / 74°C).
Storing leftover canned soup
- Get it out of the can. Once it’s open, put the soup in a glass or plastic container with a lid. An open can lets the soup pick up a metallic taste, and it’s harder to cover well.
- Refrigerate it within 2 hours of heating it.
- Use it within 3 to 4 days, or freeze it for 2 to 3 months. Cream-based soups can separate when thawed, so stir them well while reheating.
How to reheat it
On the stove: pour the soup into a pan and heat it over medium heat, stirring often, until it comes to a gentle boil. Add a splash of water or milk if it has thickened in the fridge.
In the microwave: use a microwave-safe bowl, cover it loosely, and heat it in 1-minute bursts, stirring between each, until it’s steaming throughout. Microwaves heat unevenly, so stirring matters.
Never heat soup in the can, either on the stove or in the microwave. Metal can’t go in the microwave, and heating a sealed can can make it burst.
When to throw a can away
Don’t open or eat soup from a can that is:
- Bulging or swollen
- Leaking, or badly dented along the seams
- Spurting liquid when opened, or smelling bad
These can be signs of bacterial growth, including the rare but serious botulism.
Quick answers
Can I eat canned soup cold?
Yes. It’s already cooked, so it’s safe straight from the can. Heating it is for taste.
How many times can I reheat leftover soup?
Ideally once. Heat only the portion you’ll eat, and keep the rest in the fridge.
Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Leftovers and Food Safety.