Chilli can be one of the best foods for summer when used in spicey stews or hot pots. There are also a lot of different ways to eat it. It can be used as a snack in a dip for chips or bread or can be used more collectively in a hearty family meal.
One of the best and most broadly cooked meals with chilli in it is chilli con Carne. But how long will chilli stay good in the refrigerator?
Nothing makes you feel more comfortable on a cold evening, like a warm bowl of chilli. But that’s only true if you eat it right away. It can be kept in the fridge for up to four days as long as it is in an airtight container and the temperature stays at or below 40°F.
Bacteria can grow on your chilli after four days and make you sick, so it’s best to eat it before. Use your senses to tell if you’re unsure if your chilli is still good. If it smells bad or has changed colour or consistency, don’t risk eating it.
Source: google.com
What Is Chilli?
Chilli is a spicy stew made of meat (usually beef), spices, tomatoes, and beans. You can add other spices, like garlic, cumin, onions, and chilli powder. This dish is made in the United States but comes from Mexico. Many say it started in Texas, but it was primarily based on the history and culture of Mexico.
How Do You Make Chilli?
Aside from beef, there are other kinds of meat that can be used for Chilli. Beans, tomatoes, chilli powder, onions, garlic, jalapenos, cumin, and cinnamon are used to make it. But most of the time, the choice of seasonings depends on where people live and what they like.
Does Chilli Spoil?
How long chilli stays good and whether or not it goes mostly depends on how and when you store it. The best way to store it is in airtight bags or containers within two hours of cooking. This way, there won’t be much or any chance of bacteria growing on it.
How to Store Chili
The best way to store chilli in the fridge is in a container that keeps air out. A sealed container will keep your chilli’s flavour from getting spoiled by other smells or things in the fridge. Plastic wrap isn’t as good because it doesn’t keep out as much air.
And it’s best to store leftover chilli in shallow containers so it cools down evenly and there are no hot spots. Use sturdy freezer bags with tight zippers and as little air as possible in the freezer. And try to freeze your chilli flat, so it takes up less space once it’s frozen.
How To Tell If Cooked Chilli Has Gone Bad
You can tell the difference between stale and fresh chilli by its appearance and smell. If cooked chilli has gone wrong, it will smell not very good. Also, the chilli has gone wrong if you see mould growing on it or if it seems to have changed colour. The fact that the chilli feels slimy is also a sign that it has gone wrong. So, you should pay close attention to these things.
Also, remember that even if the chilli looks and smells fine, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to eat. Some microorganisms that cause food-borne illness don’t change how they look or smell.
You should not eat a chilli with a bad smell, but if you are brave enough to do so, you will notice a difference in how the stale chilli feels and tastes in your mouth. It will also taste funny.
What Could Happen If You Ate Chilli That Was Out Of Date?
It’s not a good idea to eat chilli that has gone bad. You could get sick from the food. People get sick from food poisoning when they eat bacteria or toxins made by bacteria in food. Bacteria can get into food sometimes, and you might not even know it. But you have food poisoning if you eat that food and get sick because of the bacteria. Meat, beans, and tomatoes are all parts of chilli. Different kinds of bacteria can be carried by the different parts of chilli, which can cause different symptoms when eaten:
- Campylobacter: Can cause diarrhoea (sometimes with blood), stomach cramps or pain, nausea, or vomiting.
- Listeria: Kills cells in the body and causes diarrhoea, vomiting, joint pain, fever, and other flu-like symptoms.
- Salmonella: Can cause flu-like symptoms like tiredness, fever, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.
- Staph: Causes cramps in the stomach and diarrhoea
If your chilli has any of these ingredients, especially if they are raw and have been exposed to air for a while or left out at room temperature for too long after they have been cooked, the chilli will taste bad. If that happens, they might have bacteria that could make you very sick.
How To Make Chilli Last As Long As Possible
To make chilli last longer and keep it tasting fresh and good, put it in airtight containers and put it in the fridge right away. If you store it right, cooked chilli can last 3–4 days in the fridge.
Microscopic organisms proliferate at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, so cooked chilli sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown away. If you want to keep cooked chilli for a long time, you can put it in a container that keeps air out and in the freezer. Also, cooked chilli frozen at 0°C will still be safe to eat for a very long time.
Chilli should be kept in shallow, small containers to cool down quickly.
Conclusion
Chilli is as comforting as it gets, especially on cold nights when you need something to warm you up. By putting it in the fridge correctly and knowing how long it can stay there, you can ensure that your eating is always safe and delicious.
FAQs
Can you still eat chilli that has been stored for 7 days?
Eating chilli that has been left over for more than seven days is not a good idea unless frozen.
Can I freeze chilli after 4 days?
Yes. Chilli can stay fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge. So you can store it safely in the freezer after that time. Just make sure the chilli is still good by looking for signs that it is going bad before you freeze it.
How long can you store chilli in the freezer?
If you store it right, you can keep chilli in the freezer for up to 6 months.
