How long does chili last in the fridge? If you are unsure about how to store leftover chili or whether your batch is still fresh, read on!
It’s chili season, everyone! Or wait, I believe that this is one of those cold-weather dishes that is “in season” all year long. Which means that I am asking myself year-round whether or not my chili has expired or whether it is ok to eat.
Inside this post, let’s answer the question: How long does chili last in the fridge?! I occasionally find myself opening the container and wondering if I should heat up a bowl or not.
Read on for my best tips about the lifespan of a batch of chili, how to tell if it has reached its expiration date and when you should (sadly) send it into your garbage disposal.
Best Chili Recipes
- Easy Canned Chili is a super comforting dish that is packed with flavor and requires only 30 minutes of your time. This can easily become a vegetarian chili or meaty version using chicken, sausage or beef.
- Learn how to make Hot Dog Chili so the consistency is just right for your next delicious dog.
- Whether you’re avoiding beans or just don’t have them on hand, chili can still be delicious! This Meat Chili Without Beans will satisfy every hungry belly at your table.
- Instant Pot Turkey Chili is packed with meat, white beans and veggies. Turn this into a spicy stew or go mild!
What To Do With Leftover Homemade Chili
If you find yourself with leftovers, check out this list of ideas to use them up.
What To Serve With Chili
Cornbread is a great option to serve alongside this comfort food. Dinner rolls and chopped salad are perfect options, as well!
How To Thicken Chili
If you make a delicious batch and find that you’d like for it to be thicker, there are easy ways to fix it! Read on for a list of different ways to thicken chili, including adding tomatoes or tomato paste, using a slow cooker and more.
Chili Dinner Ideas – Recipes and Sides!
Click over for chili dinner ideas with a variety of recipes and side dish recommendations, as well. Or use this post as your guide for dinner ideas for leftover chili so nothing goes to waste.
Best Bean Substitutes
Whether you can’t eat beans or you just don’t have any on hand, learn what to substitute for beans in chili!
How Long Does Chili Last In The Fridge
When properly stored in airtight containers, homemade chili will last for up to four days in the fridge. Start examining your batch for signs of spoilage at 3-4 days.
Extend Shelf Life of Chili
- Freeze it! Once you have let the food cool, transfer to freezer-safe bags and store in the freezer to extend the shelf life. Within 6 months, thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the microwave.
- Refrigerate it! The best way to store chili is by first allowing it to cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container, ensuring the lids are secured tightly. Store in the fridge at all times for best quality.
- Keep at the same temp! Moisture can collect inside the sealed container when temperature change occurs. It is a good idea to keep the temp of the entire container as consistent as possible to avoid early spoilage.
- Go glass! Using a covered glass storage container instead of a plastic container is a great way to keep cooked chili as fresh as possible.
- Avoid cross contamination! It is super important that you use clean utensils when scooping this soup into bowls in order to avoid cross-contamination and bacteria growth.
How Can You Tell If Chili Is Bad
If you find yourself inspecting a container of leftover soup while trying to decide whether or not it has been sitting in the refrigerator for too long, there are various methods you can use to determine whether you should eat it or toss it!
- Smell test. Remove the lid and smell it. Fresh chili has a distinct, strong, saucy aroma. If you detect a sour or foul odor, the batch is most likely in the danger zone and past its prime.
- Note appearance. If the color unusual or if it develops mold or has a slimy texture, these are signs that bacterial growth has taken place and it should not be eaten.
- Taste test. If steps one and two have passed the test, grab a spoonful and give it a try. You already know its familiar taste, so use common sense to determine if the taste is off. Consuming old chili and expired food in general can cause food poisoning, so if you detect a sour taste or unusual flavor err on the side of caution!
Cheap Dinner Ideas With Ground Beef
Make dinner and affordable with this delicious list of affordable dinner ideas using ground beef. Ground beef does not need to be boring!
FAQ About Chili
The ingredients in a batch of hot chili that typically make it spicy are chili powder, hot peppers, chili peppers, hot sauce and black pepper (or cayenne pepper). To decrease the amount of heat in the recipe, reduce the amount of chili powder used and omit peppers (aside from bell peppers, which are very mild) and cayenne or ground black pepper.
A bowl of chili is the perfect template for delicious toppings! Consider any or all of the following: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions or oyster or saltine crackers.
Chili will last in the freezer for up to 6 months. Avoid freezer burn by storing chili in shallow containers that are well sealed, or double-bagged heavy-duty freezer bags.
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