How to Store Chili

Small bottles of chili sauce along with a large jar of fermented chili.

Chili Con Carne is a great hot dish to serve, especially on a cold winter evening, but it is also delicious after it has been in the refrigerator for a day or two. It is probably one of the most popular dishes to reheat and eat as leftovers for lunch or dinner.

Many people have jumped on the meal prep bandwagon in the last few years. They join a growing number of people who like to make all their meals for the entire week on a Sunday afternoon then freeze or refrigerate them until it is time to heat them up and serve them for dinner. I am one of those people that have jumped on that bandwagon.

I love to meal prep on Sundays since it saves me so much time and energy throughout the week. I have always thought that chili tastes better as a leftover than on the day that you actually cook it, so I am all for making up packages or containers of chili ahead of time and reheating it when I am ready to eat it. Chili is probably one of the best dishes to cook up ahead of time and store for later since it keeps so very well.

All types of chili, from chili con carne to Texas red chili and white chicken chili, can be frozen or refrigerated until you are ready to heat it up and eat it. You can even freeze the various types of ingredients that go into chilies, such as green chilies, dried chilies, hot sauce, tomato paste, and jalapeno peppers to use later in your pot of chili.

The question is, how do you store chili that you have already made? Well, there are several ways you can store this yummy favorite, so you can eat it later.

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Shallow Containers

Rubbermaid 644766082353 Easy Find Lid Food Storage Container, BPA-Free Plastic, 1-1/2 Gal (4-Pack), Clear — Click image for more info

To be on the safe side, you should not store chili in a deeper container, such as a slow cooker or crockpot. It is better to store chili in more shallow containers that are only about two to three inches deep.

When you want to reheat it, you can just put it in the microwave, reheat on top of the stove, or pop it in the oven for a few minutes. After you’ve heated the chili up, you can also put it into a slow cooker, crockpot, or Instapot to keep it warm until you’re ready to serve it. Chili leftovers will last for three to four days in the refrigerator.

Freezer Bags

Freezer bags, especially Ziploc thick freezer bags, are a great option to use if you want to freeze chili to eat at a much later date. For instance, if you want to store several bags to pull out one at a time as needed, freezer bags will be your best friend. You can simply pull it out and put it straight into the microwave for a quick and easy meal.

Just whip up some Jiffy Corn Meal Mix into a cornbread, smother it in butter, throw in some sour cream and cheddar cheese on top of your chili, and you will have a wonderful, easy, quick lunch or dinner for yourself and your family or guests.

Meal Prep Containers

If you have joined millions of people across the country in the craze to meal prep ahead of time for the coming week, you can store your chili in individual meal prep containers if you are prepping for meals for just you.

If you are prepping meals ahead of time for your entire family, you can use the larger meal prep containers that are available to store a larger amount of chili in the fridge or freezer to serve later in the week.

Reusable Gallon Freezer Bags

This type of silicone bag that stands up by itself is becoming more and more popular since it is not only a convenient way to store foods, such as chili, dried chilies, and much more, it is also helpful to the environment since it is washable and reusable. This type of storage solution is a great option, whether you are storing chili in the refrigerator or in the freezer to be consumed at a later time.

If you are going to freeze anything long-term in glass, make sure the glass is either tempered (the type used for canning jars) or specifically labeled for freezing. Since even freezer-safe glass can crack as food expands, always make sure to leave about 3/4 inch of space between the top of the food and the lid.

Pyrex Simply Store Meal Prep Glass Food Storage Containers

Pyrex and other glass containers that are made of a special BPA-free or tempered glass are great for storing food, including chili. The exciting part of using a glass container to store your chili is that it can go straight from the refrigerator or freezer to the oven or microwave, so your chili will be reheated and ready to eat in no time at all. This type of container is leakproof so you do not have to worry about having to clean up spills or leaks in your refrigerator when storing chili.

FAQs About Chili

What can you substitute for chili paste?

If you need a substitute for chili paste you can use crushed red pepper flakes which are the same as dried cayenne peppers that have been crushed. You can also use a bottle of your favorite hot sauce or ketchup with ground cayenne pepper in it to replace chili paste.

What containers are best for storing chili powder?

To store chili powder, you want to put it in a cool, dark place such as a cupboard where it is away from sunlight and sources of heat. A pantry is the best place if your chili powder has not been opened yet but if it has you can even store it in the refrigerator, so it will last longer, and you can quickly grab it when you need it.

Can you use flour to thicken chili?

If you want to thicken your pot of chili, you can use flour but do not add the flour directly to the pot. You will want to add 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour two a Cup of hot liquid from the chili and stir it well. Let it thicken in that bowl for 20 to 30 minutes before pouring it into the pot of chili.

Can you store chili powder in the fridge?

Any spices that are red in color, including paprika, chili powder, or red pepper, should always be stored in the refrigerator, especially if you live in a hot and humid climate, or it is summertime. Seeds, such as sesame seeds and poppy seeds, should also be stored in the refrigerator to prevent their oils from going bad.

How long can chili sit after you make it?

Chili can sit out after you are done cooking it for two to four hours at room temperature before you should discard it unless the room temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then you need to use it or put it in the refrigerator within an hour.

How long does Chili need to cool before refrigerating?

You should allow chili to cool down for at least 20 minutes or so before putting it into a glass or plastic storage container. Make sure the lip on the container is one tightly before you place the chili into the refrigerator or freezer.

How long does chili last in the freezer?

After your chili is done cooking, you can store it in the freezer. Chili will stay good in the freezer for four to six months, so you have plenty of time to eat it up before it expires.

How do you preserve green chilies?

To preserve green chilies for a long period of time, you could store them in zip lock bags. You’ll need to remove the stem on them first then put them into the zip lock bag. It is best to put the bag inside a refrigerator and use the green chilies as needed. Your chilies will stay fresh for a week or two in the refrigerator.

Can you put hot food in the fridge?

You can put small amounts of hot food directly into the refrigerator but not large amounts which means a large pot of chili should be cold first then put into shallow containers before you refrigerate it. This also applies if you are freezing your chili.