If you’ve accidentally left soup out overnight, it’s important to be cautious about its safety. Per food safety guidelines, perishable foods, including soup, should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F). When left out longer, bacteria can grow rapidly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
The soup left out overnight is likely to have entered the “danger zone” (between 40°F and 140°F), where bacteria can multiply quickly. Eating this soup could pose a health risk, and it’s generally advised to err on the side of safety and discard it.
In the future, if you need to cool down soup quickly, consider dividing it into smaller, shallower containers and refrigerate it promptly. If you must leave soup out for an extended period, keeping it hot in a slow cooker or on a warming tray can help maintain it at a safe temperature.
