How Long Does Opened Canned Chili Last In The Fridge?

Canned chili is a convenient option when you want to upgrade some mac and cheese or have a hankering for a chili dog. However, incorporating chili into a dish as a condiment doesn't typically demand the entire can. That half can of chili can still be a great addition to another meal, but you don't have much time to use it up.

Once refrigerated, opened canned chili will only last for three or four days. Expiration dates don't always mean what you think, so if it has passed the "best by" date by the time it gets opened, this shouldn't affect how long it will last in the fridge — assuming no temperature mistakes have made the can unsafe while it sat in the pantry. During that three or four-day window, the chili should be stored in an airtight container and you should make sure that your fridge is set to the correct temperature (40 degrees Fahrenheit or less). However, if you don't see yourself craving canned chili anytime soon after the first use, there is another storage option that will keep it around for longer.

If you plan to use it quickly, the fridge is your best option for storing opened canned chili. However, if you don't have any plans for it in the near future, you can freeze it. Properly stored, canned chili should stay fresh for up to six months in the freezer. Kept reliably at a temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below, it will be safe to consume for years, as long as the container it is stored in hasn't been compromised. 

To freeze an open can of chili, you want to reach for an airtight container that can withstand cold temperatures or a sealable bag like a freezer-safe Ziploc. When you feel inspired to include your leftover chili in a dish, you will want to give it some time to slowly thaw in the refrigerator. Beware — once defrosted, the shelf life goes back to three or four days, so be sure you want to use it before pulling it out of the freezer. You can also defrost chili in the microwave if you need it at short notice, but if you choose to nuke frozen chili, it should then be consumed immediately.