Can You Freeze Chili? Tips and Tricks

Chili Pepper on Wooden Board — Learning how to freeze chili is essential to protect your health.

Can you freeze chili? Do not make yourself suffer from a bad headache because of finding the answer to this question. You will freeze chili like a pro by following the detailed instructions provided in this article.

You can freeze fresh chili and cooked chili to prolong their shelf life to enjoy them longer. Read this post carefully to have a better understanding of fresh and cooked chili and other fascinating information you may not know.

I’m sure you are so excited to find out the best freezing methods to store fresh and cooked chili right now. Let’s dive into the article!

An Ultimate Guide On How To Freeze Fresh Chili

Frozen Pepper Chili — Freezing chili is the most cost-effective way as you can enjoy it for a long time.

Chili varies from various types, and each type carries a unique appearance, flavor, and spiciness. Among all the varieties, small-sized chili is often hot chili, such as poblano, Anaheim, and jalapeno. Whereas the larger one usually tastes less spicy. ⁽¹⁾

But there are still some large hot chilies. People enjoy raw chili, roast, grill, stuff, pan-sear, and toast fresh chili. It also adds a spicy note to every dish all over the world. Let’s see what methods you can use to freeze it properly for later uses.

You Can Freeze Whole Chili By Following These Instructions

Chili Peppers in Bag — You can freeze the whole chili without preparing it if the recipes call for it.

For the best storage result, you should choose high-quality chilies. High-quality chilies will have smooth and glossy skin. Do not choose soft, mushy, or discolored chilies because they will be spoiled in a wink.

After having the fresh and high-quality chilies, let’s start to freeze them by following the step-by-step instructions below! Freezing whole chilies is the easiest and quickest way.

Step 1: Do not forget to rinse fresh chilies thoroughly after harvesting or buying them. After that, you have to wipe them to dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: You can place those clean and dry chilies directly into a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight container. However, some people prefer blanching them first. To blanch chilies, bathe them in hot water for 1 – 2 minutes.
Step 3: Remember to wipe dry blanched chilies with a paper towel or kitchen towel before transferring them to a freezer container.
Step 4: You should push out as much air as possible if storing them in a freezer bag. Seal the container and bag tightly before putting them in the freezer.

Some tips to freezing the whole chilies more effectively you shouldn’t miss! Watch this video:

Watch this video: Pepper Freezing Tips - Quick and Easy

Best Way To Freeze Prepared Fresh Chili

Cut Chili Pepper — Chilies that are prepared well will give out a better freezing result.

If you have a surplus of chilies, the best way to retain their flavor and texture longer is to prepare them before freezing them. Look at the ultimate guide below:

Step 1: Rinse chilies underwater and let them dry naturally or lightly wipe them with a towel.
Step 2: Clip the stalk and the bottom of the chilies off. Then, cut them in halves to remove all the seeds and the membrane.
Step 3: You can slice, chop, or dice chilies to freeze. It depends on what recipes you will make later or your eating habits.
Step 4: Next, spread the sliced, chopped, or diced chilies on a baking tray and put the tray in the freezer. This initial freeze step helps prevent clumping,
Step 5: After 20 minutes – 1 hour or when the chilies are hardened, transfer them into a freezer bag or airtight container. Remove the air carefully and store the bag or container in the freezer.

Do not miss out on this detailed guide to freeze the prepared chilies! Watch this video:

Watch this video: Guide Freezing Peppers

Freeze Chili In An Ice Cube Tray For Convenient Uses

You can also freeze chilies with an ice cube tray. This method may sound strange, but you will find it convenient to use in various cooking recipes. For example, you can add them directly to your soups and stews. Moreover, it is also not difficult to do.

Step 1: Rinse the chilies carefully, then remove the tip, the end, seeds, and membrane.
Step 2: Chop the chilies finely. To create a spice mixture, you can mix them with other aromatic ingredients, such as lemongrass, ginger, and garlic. Mix them in equal amounts and sizes.
Step 3: Add a spoonful of the spice mixture to every slot of an ice cube tray. Then, add water until the spice is wholly covered.
Step 4: Put the tray in the freezer and freeze it for several hours until all the ice cubes are frozen.
Step 5: Remove the ice cubes and place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag or airtight container.

How Long Can Chili Last In The Freezer?

Frozen chilies can last for 10 – 12 months if stored properly. However, they are still edible after a year, but you should consume them within a few days. Discard your chilies if they have these symptoms:

Smell: Rotten chilies will give an unpleasant and funky smell. Also, if the chilies grow mold, you can notice a strong musky odor.
Appearance: Your chilies start to go bad if their stalks are firm, mushy, or wrinkled. Also, you will see a discoloration on the tip or skin. It usually turns darker and develops dark spots. You can also notice mold inside and outside the chilies.
Taste: Spoiled chilies have a robust funky flavor that resembles the taste of expiry fruits.

Note: Check the condition of your chilies carefully before adding them to any food to prevent them from being ruined by spoiled chilies.

Let’s Learn How To Defrost Frozen Chili Effectively!

When preparing chilies for freezing, it is better to divide them into the portions you usually use. But it is easy to break apart the number of frozen chilies that your recipe calls for and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight.

Also, you can thaw them at room temperature. Since chilies tend to be soft and mushy after thawing, they taste better in soups, stews, sauces, or curries.

However, you can cook frozen chilies directly if they are sliced, chopped, or diced before freezing. When cooking frozen chilies, you should add them at the beginning of the cooking process to make sure they are reheated well.

Can You Freeze Cooked Chili?

People usually call chili instead of chili con carne when talking about this dish. Chili is a delicious stew made from ground meat, chili, various seasonings, and mixed vegetables. This unique dish varies from many ingredients and originates in Southern Texas.⁽²⁾

This hearty stew-type dish is usually made in large batches. Do not waste the leftover chili. You can freeze and use it when you don’t have much time to cook a complicated dish. Do not worry about the taste. Chili tastes even tastier after reheating if stored properly.

However, only chili made with ground meat and tomato can freeze well. Don’t try to freeze your vegetable chili since the vegetable will be very mushy and not delicious to eat anymore. Also, the flavor of chili containing milk, creams, and cheeses will deteriorate if stored.

You can consider this delicious chili con carne recipe to make ahead for freezing! Watch this video to know:

Watch this video: Chilli Con Carne Recipe | Mexican Favourite Food

Step-By-Step Instructions To Freeze Cooked Chili Properly

Freeze Chili Con Carne — Freeze chili con carne well to reheat and serve as a quick dinner.

Since you usually make a batch of chili to serve the crowd, learning how to freeze it effectively will help you save time for future dishes and save your money instead of eating take-out foods. To freeze the tomato-based chili, you can follow this detailed guide:

Step 1: You have to cool the chili as quickly as you can and freeze it to keep its best quality and flavor. The ideal temperature is 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is called a “food safety danger zone.”

Chili that is still warm while freezing will form ice crystals. As a result, it will be freezer burnt and lose its flavor.

Step 2: You should fill chili into thick and durable freezer bags or airtight containers and allow it to cool. To shorten the cooling time, you can divide your chili into small portions and place them in different containers.

Also, you can fill chili into freezer bags to save space. Try to push out as much air as possible and seal the bags tightly to prevent the access of air and moisture.

Note: To shorten the cooling time, you can divide your chili into small portions and place them in different containers. Or you can fill chili into freezer bags to save space.

Step 3: Once the containers reach the ideal temperature, freeze them in a single layer to make them freeze faster. After they are frozen, you can stack them up. If you choose freezer bags, place them on a sheet pan and freeze them for 2 hours.

Note: The sheet pan helps you flatten the freezer bags to shorten the freezing time and save space.

Step 4: After the chili that is filled in containers or freezer bags is frozen; you can remove the sheet pan and stack them up as you desire. To know how long the chili has been stored, you can label the date and contents on the bags or containers.

Remember To Thaw Cooked Chili Well Before Using

You also need to know how to thaw chili precisely to enjoy its best flavor. Some people don’t know how to defrost it, just put it directly into the saucepan and reheat it. This way will make the bags melt, and it is harmful to your health.

There are 4 most common ways to defrost chili effectively and allow you to enjoy this mouth-watering dish like it has been just cooked. Let’s check them out!

In the refrigerator: This is the easiest way. All you have to do is allow your frozen chili to defrost in the refrigerator overnight. By thawing this way, you can keep it for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
In water: You can thaw frozen chili by leaving it in a bowl of room temperature water. If the bag or container is too big for a bowl, you can place it into a sink full of cool water instead. Flip it occasionally and make sure that the container is submerged.
In a saucepan: The chili is most delicious when thawed this way. First, boil a small amount of water. Remove the bag or container, and place the frozen chili into the saucepan. Reheat it over medium heat until it melts and mixes well with the water.

Note: If the chili is slightly watery or tastes milder due to the water, you can add a bit of cornstarch and salty seasoning to thicken the chili and make its flavor suit your taste buds.

In the microwave: First, you have to transfer the chili to a microwave-safe container. Turn on the defrost setting, and then you can put the container directly into the microwave and start to thaw it.

This method takes only 3 minutes. However, depending on the size of each portion, the microwaving time will be longer or shorter. Check your chili occasionally to see whether it is thoroughly reheated or not and prevent overheating.

This ultimate way to freeze and reheat chili with freezer bags will be helpful for you!

Watch this video: How to Freeze Chili & Reheat it For Future Lunches & Dinners

Note: Besides eating defrosted chili in ordinary ways, you can eat it with cheeses or tortilla chips for a better flavor experience.

Frozen Cooked Chili’s Shelf Life You Should Know!

If you follow the instructions exactly when freezing chili, it can last for 4 to 6 months. Moreover, while the chili defrosted in the refrigerator can stay for an additional 2 to 3 days, you should eat the chili thawed in other ways immediately.

Below are the identifying signs of spoiled chili. Check the chili carefully and do not eat it if it has some of these symptoms:

Smell: While delicious chili has an aromatic fragrance, it will give an off-odor when spoiled. You can sniff the funky or musty smell from the can-not-be-eaten chili.
Consistency: If the chili is slimy before reheated, it is the most obvious sign that it is rotten and unsafe to eat. Also, the chili may appear clumps.
Appearance: Discard the chili if there is pale liquid and molds appear when rewarming it.
Taste: When you cannot notice a strange smell or appearance, you should taste it. Spoiled chili tastes terrible, which resembles the taste of rotten meat and vegetables.

You have to discard spoiled chili because eating rotten food affects your health terribly. It will cause food poisoning, and it is hazardous.

FAQs

It’s time to look at some questions that you may have during the reading process. I hope my answers can clarify your confusion.

Are frozen chilies spicier?

No, they are not. The capsaicin stored in some parts of the chilies will release into the whole batch due to freezing. However, the heat of chilies is just distributed, and they are not spicier.

Can I use ziplock bags to freeze chili?

Although ziplock bags are still safe for freezing, you should opt for heavy-duty freezer bags to have a better freezing result.

Can I freeze chili with beans in it?

The beans in chili may turn soggy and mushy after thawing. If you don’t mind a change in texture, you can freeze chili with beans and have it for quick and easy future meals.

Can frozen chili peppers be eaten raw?

Due to the freezing process, chili peppers contain a small amount of water and become mushy and soggy after thawing. Therefore, the best way to enjoy thawed chili peppers is by adding them to make sauces, soups, stews, or curries.

How to cook frozen chilies properly?

To avoid the mushy and soggy chilies ruining your stir-fry dishes, you should lay the chilies out on a paper towel to remove the water in the chilies. Also, add them at nearly the end of the cooking process to avoid becoming too soggy to eat.

Can I refreeze chilies after thawing?

No, you cannot freeze chilies twice because they will lose their flavor and texture. This is why you need to divide chilies into your daily-used portions for freezing. And you just need to take the portion your recipe calls for out of the freezer.

How many times can I rewarm frozen chili?

There are no how many times that you can reheat frozen chili. However, reheating so many times may affect the dish’s flavor, so you should limit it. The best way is to divide chili into small portions and reheat one at a time.

Can I use a Mason jar to freeze chili?

Yes, you can. Mason jar is a freezer-safe jar for freezing soups, stews, and chilis. You can fill 1 – 2 portions of chili into a Mason jar, seal the lid tightly, and put it in the freezer. However, make sure your freezer has enough space for many jars.

How to freeze chili paste?

The best way to freeze chili paste is using an ice cube tray. You can easily take the ice cubes out when you need to use them. Remember to label the contents detailly to not mistake chili paste with tomato puree or sauce.

Can dried chilies freeze well?

Although you can freeze dried chilies, they won’t be kept longer than storing them in your kitchen cupboard. Dried chilies can last for 6 months if stored well in airtight containers. Keep them away from humidity, direct heat, and sunlight.

Will freezing affect chilies’ spiciness?

No, it won’t. To retain the spiciness of chilies, do not remove their inner membrane as it helps prevent losing flavor during the freezing process.

Can I freeze chili with noodles?

You can freeze chili that has noodles in it. However, the cooked noodles will be very soggy after thawing and do not taste delicious like freshly cooked noodles.

A Little Reminder To Help You Freeze Chili Effectively

After reading this post, I’m sure you have better understood freezing fresh and cooked chili. For the cooked chili, do not leave it at room temperature over 2 hours before freezing because the bacteria grows very rapidly.

Just a little reminder, do not forget to label the freezer bags or containers detailly, including types of chili (for fresh chilies), ingredients (cooked chilies), date, and servings. This way will be easier for you when using them later.

Like and share this post to help your friends and family freeze chili precisely. Remember to turn on the website’s notification to not miss my upcoming fascinating article. By the way, you can leave your further questions in the comment section below.

References

En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Chili pepper – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_pepper>.
En.wikipedia.org. 2021. Chili con carne – Wikipedia. [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chili_con_carne>.