Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Note: An unopened, shelf-stable, canned ham can be how long can steak last in the fridge at room temperature for 2 years. Beat yolks and whites together, then freeze. How Long Can Leftover Chili Last in the Fridge?

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no added cost to you. The most critical factor is if you made it with meat. Chili that is predominantly made with meat is bound to live for a lesser timeframe than that made without meat. This is probably due to the material make-up of meat, making it more vulnerable to the decomposing action of bacteria. In this case, the chili is expected to last for a minimum of 3-4 days, during which time it is not expected to undergo any change to its quality. The maximum timeframe that the chili is expected to last without undergoing any significant changes to its flavor or texture is a week.

Another factor that plays a role is the duration of time between the chili leaving the stove and entering the fridge. The maximum allowed time is 2 hours, regardless of whether you made it with meat or not. This 2-hour period is a grace period, during which the prevalent temperature inhibits bacterial activity. The room temperature can only keep the rot at bay for a maximum of two hours, after which it can no longer sustain the freshness of the chili. The temperature levels that can be maintained in a fridge are just what your bowl of chili needs to stay fresh and microorganisms-free. Most bacteria and other microorganisms that are the bane of your food can not survive inside your fridge due to the prevailing temperature. If you had kept your chili anywhere else, perhaps, at your kitchen counter, you would walk into a bowl of your chili with a grimy spread of mold in the morning.