How long does chili last in the fridge?
Chili keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 2 to 3 months in the freezer, with meat or without. How to cool a big pot fast and reheat it safely.
By Zain Nazeer, founder and editor
Photo by Leanna Myers on Unsplash
Chili keeps 3 to 4 days in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder, and 2 to 3 months in the freezer for best quality. That is the US government's storage time for soups and stews, and it applies to chili with beef, turkey or chicken and to bean-only chili. UK guidance is stricter and says eat cooked leftovers within 2 days. Count from the day you cooked it.
How long does chili last? The short answer
- In the fridge: 3 to 4 days (UK guidance: 2 days).
- In the freezer: safe indefinitely at 0°F (-18°C); best within 2 to 3 months.
- Thawed in the fridge: eat within 3 to 4 days.
- At room temperature: no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
How do you cool a big pot of chili quickly?
A full pot of chili holds its heat for hours in the middle, and that is when bacteria grow. Get it into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking:
- Spoon it into shallow containers, about 2 inches deep.
- Or stand the pot in a sink of cold water and stir for 10 minutes first.
- Leave lids off until it stops steaming, then seal.
Do not put a whole hot pot in the fridge: it cools too slowly and warms everything around it.
Does chili freeze well?
Very well. Beans, ground meat and tomato sauce all keep their texture, which is why chili is one of the best freezer meals. Freeze single portions in containers or flat bags, leave an inch of space for the chili to expand, and label each one with the date. Add toppings such as cheese, sour cream and avocado when you serve it, not before freezing. More in freezer meal prep for beginners and how to prevent freezer burn.
How do you reheat chili safely?
Reheat until it is steaming hot all the way through, 165°F (74°C), stirring halfway. On the stove, bring it to a simmer. Frozen chili can go straight into a pan with a splash of water, or thaw overnight in the fridge first. Reheat only the portion you will eat. See how to reheat meal prep and how to thaw meal prep safely.
How can you tell if chili has gone off?
A sour smell, a fizzy or bubbly look when it was not boiling, a slimy surface or mould mean throw it away. Do not taste it to check.
Which chili should you meal prep?
Big-batch turkey chili keeps 4 days and freezes for 3 months. For a meat-free pot, black bean soup works the same way. For other leftovers, see how long soup lasts in the fridge and how long ground beef lasts.
Sources
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