Can you freeze 5 bean chili?
In this article, we’ll explore the query: “Can you freeze five bean chili?” Also, we’ll address how 5 bean chili can be frozen, how five bean chili is made, what the nutritional content of 5 bean chili is, and whether it’s healthy to eat.
Can you freeze 5 bean chili?
Yes, 5 bean chili, like many chili variations and other bean-based dishes, can be frozen.
Freezing provides a solution to storing large volumes that won’t be readily consumed if refrigerated, or if cooking ahead for several days. As little moisture may be lost in the process, some maintain that it strengthens the flavor of the ingredients, making it more palatable.
How can I freeze 5 bean chili?
Freezing 5 bean chili can be achieved by first letting it chill to room temperature, and then placing it inside of a tight-sealing freeze-resistant container such as a Tupperware, or alternatively, inside a quality freezer zip-bag.
In either case, it’s important to draw out as much air as possible to keep the chili from suffering a freeze burn, as when it defrosts, it will lose a larger amount of moisture, which may ultimately make it less palatable.
Defrosting chili, on the other hand, is as simple as scooping the desired portion out of the container or freezer bag and heating it in a pot on the stovetop or placing it in a bowl inside the microwave.
Refreezing chili is not recommended, as each time it is frozen and defrosted, some of the proteins and other components in the ingredients suffer denaturation (they break down) and begin to separate. Freezing after more than one round of freezing and defrosting makes the chili lose its texture, flavor, and other qualities.
How is 5 bean chili made?
Five bean chili, as its name indicates, is a chili dish made with five different types of beans, tomato paste, coriander, paprika, onion, cumin, rice, and various types of seasoning.
As is the case with all bean dishes, the ones used for making chili can either be canned (pre-cooked) or dried, in the case of the latter, they must be cooked at boiling temperatures to break down their PHA content.
Afterward, the onion and peppers should be sautéed in a pot, just until they’ve reached a golden-brown color. The other spices can then be added in and fried for about one minute.
The tomato paste and cooked beans can then be poured into the pan with the seasonings and sautéed onions and peppers with a bit of water to add volume to the mixture, and then sugar and powdered seasoning can be mixed in. This can be cooked on the stovetop for about 15 to 20 minutes, or placed in a slow cooker for a longer period.
Lastly, rice can be cooked with the mixture to give it a thicker texture, and once cooled, the 5 bean chili can be served in a bowl with other ingredients or mixtures such as sour cream or guacamole.
Also, some recipes may call for meat such as ground or chopped meat, in which case the above outlines may be modified to include cooked meat.
What is the nutritional content of 5 bean chili?
On average, a serving of 5 bean chili will provide:
- 439 calories
- 16 grams of protein
- 8 grams of fat, within which 1 gram is saturated,
- 69 grams of carbohydrates, within which 10 grams are sugar, and 14 grams are fiber
- And 40 milligrams of salt.
Also, 5 bean chili will provide vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and minerals such as calcium, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, riboflavin, selenium thiamin, zinc.
Is 5 bean chili healthy to eat?
Five bean chili can be considered healthy to eat, as each serving has a low amount of calories, and provides fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Also, some variations of the dish are purely plant-based and contain no animal products, which makes it a handy recipe for vegetarians and vegans.
However, when using store bought ingredients such as canned beans and tomato paste, one should always bear in mind that they provide additional sodium and fat, per their formulations, and contribute to the suggested daily intake of both.
Summarizing, 5 bean chili can be a healthy dish when made from scratch and made part of a balanced diet.
Other FAQs about Chili that you may be interested in.
How to make chili powder from dried chillies?
How to thicken chili with cornstarch
What is a substitute for Thai chilies?
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve explored the query: “Can you freeze five bean chili?” Also, we’ve addressed how 5 bean chili can be frozen, how five bean chili is made, what the nutritional content of 5 bean chili is, and whether it’s healthy to eat.
References
https://www.bushbeans.com/en_US/bean-hub/article/guide-to-freezing-beans
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/five-bean-chilli
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318630
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-happens-if-you-eat-too-much-salt#bottom-line
