How Long Does Chili Last In The Fridge (+5 Shelf Tips)

How long does chili last in the fridge (+5 shelf tips)

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long does chili last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of chili in the fridge. Moreover, we are going to discuss ways to tell if chili has gone bad and effective tips on how we can increase the shelf life of chili.

The name chili comes from ‘chili con carne’ or ‘chili con carne’ which has its meaning as chili with meat in Spanish and this dish has its origin in Texas.

Chili is one of those cold-weather dishes that is often made in enormous sums. The enormous amounts imply that except if you are taking care of a tremendous gathering of individuals, some of it will undoubtedly make its way to the fridge. So if you are confused about the shelf life of your delicious dish in the fridge, you need not worry as we got your back and are going to tell you in detail about “how long does chili last in the fridge”.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

How long does chili last in the fridge?

Chili can last for approximately one week in the fridge without significant change in its flavor or texture. Chili that is made with meat has a shorter life span than the one made without the meat as the former has the same shelf life as that of a meat product.

Therefore the chili having meat in it will last up to 3-4 days without any deterioration. Thus it is recommended to use the chili within this time span and consume it after reheating thoroughly in a microwave to ensure food safety.

Remember, according to USDA guidelines, cooked food must be refrigerated or frozen after 2 hours at temperature. After this time, bacterial growth renders the food unsafe.

Does chili go bad?

How long does chili last and whether or not it will go bad depends mainly on

How you store it
When you store it

The most appropriate technique is to store it in air-tight bags or containers within two hours after it is cooked so that there won’t be minimum or nil chances or any microorganism growth on it.

How chili is made?

Chili contains a lot of seasonings and meat preferably beef, which holds the position as the main ingredient of the dish. However different kinds of meat may likewise be utilized. It is cooked with beans, tomatoes, chili powder, onions, garlic, jalapenos, cumin, and cinnamon. But the choice of seasonings mainly depends upon the particular area and the taste of people.

How to tell if cooked chili is bad?

You can really distinguish the stale chili from the fresh one by using your sense of smell and sight. The cooked chili that has gone bad will have a pungent aroma. Moreover, if you see some mold growing on it or the color of chili seems off, it also means that the chili has gone bad. Slimy texture also points in the direction that the chili has gone stale. Therefore you should keep a keen eye for such details.

Another thing to keep in mind is that even if the chili smells fine, it does not necessarily mean that it is safe to consume as some microorganisms that cause food-borne illness do not make a noticeable difference in smell or appearance.

I do not recommend you to taste a chili having a bad aroma but if you are brave (and silly) enough to do so, then you will really feel a difference in the texture and mouthfeel of the stale chili. It will also have off-flavor.

Tips to maximize the shelf life of chili?

To increase the shelf life of chili along with maintaining its quality and freshness, refrigerate the chili quickly in air-tight containers.
Cooked chili can last for 3-4 days in the fridge easily if it is properly stored.
Microscopic organisms develop quickly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; therefore cooked chili should be disposed of whenever left out for over 2 hours at room temperature.
If you want to increase the shelf life of cooked chili to a great extent then you can properly store it in the freezer in an airtight container. Moreover, the cooked chili that has been frozen at 0°C will remain safe to use for really extended periods of time.
Store chili in shallow small containers so that it will be cooled quickly.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long does chili last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of chili in the fridge. Moreover, we discussed the ways to tell if chili has gone bad and effective tips on how we can increase the shelf life of chili.