How long does butternut squash last? Butternut squash soup is a low-calorie food filled with antioxidants. It has a warm creamy flavor that will make you salivate.
All the spices combined bring up a mind-blowing symphony. It is very healthy and in accordance with medical instructions.
To make it even better, add cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, and garlic.
Butternut squash soup is quite easy to prepare and very quick.
The most time-consuming activity is peeling the squash but it can be done in advance or you purchase pre-sliced squash.
The cooking will take less than 30 minutes. It tastes even better the next day and can freeze perfectly.
There is no dairy in it and it can be enjoyed as a main meal or with any side dish.
In this post, I’ll discuss the best storage patterns to make this delicious soup last longer
Ranging from how long does butternut squash soup last in the fridge, freezer, and at room temperature? How to store this authentic side dish and how to tell if it is bad.
Read carefully and don’t forget to give us feedback!
So, how long does butternut squash last in the fridge?
Fresh butternut squash soup lasts and maintains its shelf life in the fridge for about 4 to 6 days before going bad if you store it properly in the right conditions necessary in the refrigerator.
Although, it may go bad before 5 days elapses, in which case your senses will detect it.
To have a prolonged shell life of butternut squash soup, the squash must be healthy and ripe from harvest.
It should be heavier than it looks. It should have a matte appearance, glossy means it’s unripe.
The stem should be dry when separated from the vine. The squash should be entirely free from blemishes.
How Long Does Butternut Squash Soup Last In The Freezer?
Fresh butternut squash soup will last for 2 to 3 months and even remain safe beyond that time. Butternut soup freezes well because it has no dairy in its preparation.
Dairy alters the consistency of the soup after defrosting and reheating.
Allow it to cool after cooking and package in a freezer bag or airtight container.
Then, freeze. When ready to use, defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the microwave.
It can either be served hot or cold.
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How To Fix Butternut Squash Soup
To fix butternut squash soup, add herbs and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme. Sweeten it with sugar, honey, or syrup. Add bacon, chicken, beef, turkey, and eggs for additional taste.
Also, serve with sumptuous dishes like salad, roasted vegetables, bread, and sandwiches.
To fix the consistency, thicken it by adding cornstarch or flour a small amount at a time.
Balance it by adding chicken stock or broth till it’s perfect.
If it’s watery during the cooking process, increase the temperature so that excess water is evaporated.
It will thicken as it cools off. Leaving it on high heat will make it even more watery cos it will draw moisture from the air.
Don’t let it sit, stir until the heat is distributed.
The addition of warm ingredients will make the soup richer and sweeter.
How Long Does Butternut Squash Soup Last At Room Temperature?
Butternut squash soup can sit out for only 2 hours after which it should be discarded. The danger zone is between 40⁰F to 140⁰F which is ideally room temperature.
If butternut squash soup sits out at this ⁰F, bacteria will grow on it and it should not be left out for more than 2 hours.
Bacteria will further produce toxins that are difficult to destroy by heat.
If butternut squash wants to be left at room temperature, it must be left whole, raw, and unpeeled.
Keep in a cool, dark, and dry place.
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Is Butternut Squash Soup Good For Weight Loss?
Yes, it is perfect for weight loss because it contains a medically approved number of calories.
It is capable of making you feel full so you will end up not feeling hungry and stuffing yourself with unhealthy calories, thereby losing weight in the process.
This side dish contains soluble fiber responsible for reduced appetite and calories.
It is equally low in cholesterol.
The risk of obesity has greatly reduced in those who consume high fiber foods like butternut.
Aside from aiding weight loss, it reduces constipation.
Is Butternut Squash Soup Good For Stomach Upset?
Yes, it is regarded as one of the best for any convalescent patient just recuperating from illness, curled up in bed.
It has a super quality that helps with viruses and bacteria. It contains a large dose of vitamin C to boost the immune system.
The addition of ginger will ease any form of stomach aches, nausea, or stomach upset.
It is also best for gut health and aiding digestion due to the dietary fiber it contains.
It contains insoluble fiber which helps transport stool easily and freely through the digestive tract.
Stomach upset makes one dehydrated so you’ll need a light soup with broth and with clear liquid.
Butternut Squash Soup is a good choice. However, for some people, butternut squash soup causes diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems.
Depending on the body system, butternut squash soup in some people digest more quickly and easily.
Can You Leave Butternut Squash Soup Out Overnight?
The answer is yes, you can leave butternut squash soup overnight at room temperature to cool off after cooking before refrigerating.
The cooling may take overnight depending on the hour of cooking.
Hot food that is left to cool should have a lid on it to protect it from microbes.
Provided it is stored in the refrigerator thereafter, it can last up to 5 days.
Reheat in the microwave or on a stovetop when ready to use.
How To Tell If Butternut Squash Soup Is bad
Here are some wonderful signs to tell if fresh butternut squash soup is bad;
Signs of spoilage are mold, smell, change in texture, and change in appearance, especially white specks.
- If it is purchased fresh and stored properly, it will last long before getting spoilt.
- Bad raw butternut squash can easily be detected when it is cut open, if it is bruised on the skin or if it is light and mushy.
- Discoloration of the inside and unfirmness are signs of spoilage. Healthy butternut will be firm and have a bright orange color.
- If stored at 50⁰F to 55⁰F, it will last 2 to 3 months.
It also depends on the harvest date. The longer it stays, the higher the risk of getting spoilt.
Keep squash in a ventilated area.
Take it out of plastic bags and keep away from apples, bananas, or any ripening fruits.
How To Store Butternut Squash Soup To Make It Last Longer
Here’s how to store fresh butternut squash soup to make it last longer in the fridge, freezer, and at room temperature;
- Store in an airtight container and put in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Longer than that may alter the taste and texture of the soup.
- To freeze, put in a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or in a freezer bag and freeze.
- Ensure it is completely cooled after cooking before freezing.
- To thaw, keep in the fridge for up to 48 hours or immerse in a bowl of cold or warm water.
- Reheat on medium heat or microwave.
- To store at room temperature, open it have way and place it in a pantry.
How Long Does Butternut Squash Soup Take To Cook?
It will take a total of 1 hour and 5 minutes for butternut squash soup to be ready. Preparation will take about 15 minutes and proper cooking will take 55 minutes.
To get the butternut squash tender enough, it will take 12 to 15 minutes in boiling water.
Taste to test if it is soft and done. Then drain, garnish and re-cook. When cooking, check to ensure the water is inches above the squash.
Time may vary depending on temperature variations and the size of squash cubes.
If you’re cooking in the oven, it will take 30 to 40 minutes at a temperature of 400⁰F.
Slice into half lengthwise and place the flesh side down on a foil sheet.
Cooking on a crockpot will take 4 hours on high heat or 8 to 10 hours on low heat.
While, in a pressure cooker, it will cook for 6 to 7 minutes under high pressure. It will take 10 to 12 minutes in 1200 watt microwave.
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Is Butternut Squash Soup Keto-friendly?
The answers are yes and no. This is not a clear answer because it is not Keto-friendly on its own except it is added to a side dish to complement because butternut squash is a starchy vegetable with carbs.
For a dish to be considered keto-friendly, it must be low in carbs.
You can achieve this by following recipes that will result in low-carb butternut squash soup.
Butternut Squash Soup can be made keto-friendly by alteration.
Low carb butternut squash soup is usually thin unlike the normal recipe, but it is still as delicious.
Thickening it by using more squash and less broth will increase carbs, but the addition of cauliflower is a perfect thickener.
To get more keto-friendly butternut squash soup, substitute pumpkin for butternut in parts and blend in other keto vegetables to reduce carb count.
To make it safer for a keto diet, eat butternut squash soup in small quantities.
Is Butternut Squash Soup Low Carb?
On its own, ordinarily, it is not low carb. It is a starchy vegetable and contains carbs.
It is a high-carb vegetable but if paired with low carbs ingredients and vegetables, it may become minimal.
To prepare low carb butternut squash;
- Put the cubed butternut squash and broth in a pressure cooker and cook for 15 minutes.
- Mix in the cauliflower. This is necessary for reducing carbs.
- Make a puree by blending.
- Add in cream, and salt and mix well.
- Enjoy.
It is best served as a side dish this way. Serve with roasted vegetables or low-carb breadsticks.
This keto-friendly, low-carb butternut squash can freeze well.
Place in a freezer bag, and place flat in the freezer. After being frozen for 2 to 3 hours, place the bag upright.
It can last for 6 months and more. When ready to use, defrost overnight in the fridge and warm on a stovetop or microwave it.
However, it is low in carbs compared to other root vegetables.
How To Make Butternut Squash Soup Less Bland?
To make it less bland, add more seasoning – salt and pepper. Salt will enhance the flavors of the ingredient.
Use basic ingredients like healthy butternut squash, olive oil, butter, garlic, nutmeg, maple syrup, and vegetable broth.
Use butter instead of cream, it brings out the flavor.
Roasting the butternut squash will bring out the caramelized flavor.
Also, to fix a flat taste, splash a little apple cider vinegar or drizzle pumpkin seed oil.
Ginger will also awaken it. You can spice it up with cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
Another step to follow when fixing a bland soup is sauteing aromatic vegetables first like onion, garlic, and carrots, before adding the liquid.
Season with herbs like dried thyme and dried bay leaves.
They will enhance the flavor and potency. Use unsalted chicken stock.
Taste before serving and correct what is missing.
How To Make Butternut Squash Soup Less Sweet And Spicy?
If it becomes too sweet than you wanted, add a little salt to bring it down or add 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar.
Be careful not to end up making the soup salty.
If it becomes too salty, add 1 tsp of sugar to tame the saltines.
To prevent the soup from getting spicy, add fresh herbs shortly before serving so that they don’t cook for too long.
To tone down spicy butternut squash soup, add something sweet like sugar or honey.
Add more liquid like water or broth, something starchy like potatoes or rice.
And add something acidic like tomatoes or citrus too.
Add dairy like cheese or yogurt. It is better when it’s creamy because cream absorbs spice.
For vegans, vegan cream, avocado, and peanut butter will help reduce the spiciness.
Solutions for different spices are as follows;
- Chile pepper can be tamed with fat and oil.
- Black pepper can be tamed with alcohol
- Garlic and onion can be tamed with fat and alcohol
- Salt can be tamed with something acidic or starch.
- Ginger can be tamed by cooking it longer.
Conclusion
Butternut Squash is packed full of essential nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Present are Vitamins A, C, E, magnesium, and potassium which are necessary for healthy blood pressure.
Also, it prevents chronic diseases and has lots of nutrients.
It prevents high blood pressure and enhances hair and skin maintenance.
It is a high fiber food, low in calories, and perfect for weight loss.
This may help to protect against cancer, and heart disease. It is easily added to side dishes or can be eaten wholly.
It will not last long if it has discolored or dry flesh, and mushy, soft, or cut open skin.
Ensure it is kept in a cool, dry, and dark place away from moisture.
Whole butternut squash will last 1 to 2 months in a cool, dry place.
Sliced butternut squash will last 5 to 6 days in the fridge.
And cooked butternut squash soup will last 5 to 6 days in the fridge depending on the broth.
Vegetable broth-based butternut squash soup will last longer than chicken broth-based.
Remember, how long does butternut squash soup last?