How Long Can You Leave Chili In the Slow Cooker? What to Know Before Game Day (2024)

Make sure to follow these guidelines before you make a big batch for the big game.

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Christianna Silva

Christianna Silva is a writer and editor with work inNPR,MTV News,PHOENIX Magazine, Teen Vogue,VICE News, and more. They have been working in journalism for nearly a decade, and they hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona in Journalism.

Published on February 8, 2024

How Long Can You Leave Chili In the Slow Cooker? What to Know Before Game Day (1)

If there’s one kitchen essential that shouldn't be sitting on the sidelines when it comes to throwing a game day viewing party, it’s a slow cooker.

If you're hosting the Super Bowl, odds are you're making chili. You know it tops the ranks of ultimate game day foods and is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, but since it's an hours-long affair, you need to know exactly how long you can let it sit in the slow cooker—the last thing you want is your guests leaving during halftime with a stomachache.

“Harmful foodborne illness-causing bacteria will not multiply at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why we recommend keeping hot foods hot if they will be held longer than 2 hours,” says Meredith Carothers, public affairs specialist at the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “The quality may start to diminish if it is in there for an extended period of time, but you can make it the duration of the Super Bowl with chili on ‘low’ or ‘keep warm.’”

So here's the verdict when it comes to chili food safety: You can leave it in the slow cooker for hours after it’s done cooking if the cooker is set to the “low” or “keep warm” setting.

If you decide you don’t want to keep your chili in a slow cooker during the game and instead put it in a cute dish on the snack table, remember to set a timer.

How Long Can You Leave Chili In the Slow Cooker? What to Know Before Game Day (2)

“If the chili is not in a slow cooker that is on ‘low’ or ‘keep warm,’ it will need to follow the two-hour rule,” Carothers says. “When perishable foods are in the ‘danger zone,' when the temperature range is between 40 to 140 degrees, foodborne-illness bacteria can reach dangerous levels after two hours.”

Once you decide to put your chili away in the fridge, Carothers recommends dividing it into smaller portions, in multiple shallow containers. This helps ensure the chili cools quickly enough.

Chili isn’t the only game day food you can serve up in a slow cooker. In fact, you can make all your apps and main dishes with this versatile cooking method: from chicken wings and One-Pot Cuban-Style Barbecue Pulled Pork to Tangy Molasses Barbecue Ribs and All-American Sloppy Joes. According to Carothers, you can follow the chili rules for all of the foods you make in a slow cooker—just know they might lose flavor the longer they sit.

“Quality will start to diminish the longer food is in there, but safety-wise, foods can stay in the slow cooker for long periods of time," Carothers says.

So sit back, keep your slow cooker on, and enjoy the game (without worrying about food poisoning).

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How Long Can You Leave Chili In the Slow Cooker? What to Know Before Game Day (2024)

FAQs

How Long Can You Leave Chili In the Slow Cooker? What to Know Before Game Day? ›

'” So here's the verdict regarding chili food safety: You can leave it in the slow cooker for hours after it's done cooking if the cooker is set to the “low” or “keep warm” setting.

How long can I reheat chilli in a slow cooker? ›

Reheating leftovers in a slow cooker is not recommended. Cooked food should be reheated on the stove, in a microwave, or in a conventional oven until it reaches 165 °F. Then the hot food can be placed in a preheated slow cooker to keep it hot for serving—at least 140 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

Can you leave food in a slow cooker for 12 hours? ›

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

Can you slow cook for too long? ›

It is possible to overcook your dishes, especially if you're using the high setting (which will take 5–6 hours, as opposed to the low setting which will usually take about 8 hours). It's best to follow your recipe guidelines and switch your slow cooker off or to the 'keep warm' setting once the meal is done.

How long can you leave chili out to cool? ›

Myth: You shouldn't put hot foods in the refrigerator.

Perishable foods should be put in a refrigerator that is 40 degrees or below within 2 hours of preparation. If you leave food out to cool and forget about it after 2 hours, throw it away.

Can you leave chili in the crockpot for 24 hours? ›

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

How long is too long to slow cook chili? ›

The tomatoes contain sugar, which caramelizes in the slow cooker, and will eventually burn if it cookes for too long. Anything longer than 10 hours on low is risky.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›

Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

What happens if you leave the slow cooker on too long? ›

The food will not only stain the cooker's interior, but it will also be soggy and overcooked and be left open to bacteria. Most of the programmable slow cookers available today have a 24-hour cycle, which would shut the slow cooker off automatically, but older models don't necessarily have this function.

Can I leave food in a slow cooker overnight on warm? ›

The warm setting on your slow cooker is great for keeping your food warm until you're ready to enjoy it. Just make sure that it's within four hours of when your food is done cooking.

Can I leave chili on warm overnight? ›

'” So here's the verdict when it comes to chili food safety: You can leave it in the slow cooker for hours after it's done cooking if the cooker is set to the “low” or “keep warm” setting.

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Can you slow cook for 3 days? ›

Nope. I've heard of people cooking things sous vide for several days but passed about 2 days, it's usually goes horrible, the texture usually disintegrates. In a slow cooker it's open and it will usually oxidize and dry out as well, the temperature is too high.

Can you eat chili that was left out overnight in the morning? ›

If you reheat food that was forgotten on the counter overnight or was left out all day, will it be safe to eat? TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.

Can you let chili cook all day? ›

If you have time to make it the day before or early in the day and can let it simmer all day, your chili will go from good to AMAZING. Simmering all day allows the meat, beans, and onions to soften and the flavors to meld together. There's just no substitution for chili that is cooked low and slow all day!

How to tell if chili has gone bad? ›

Fresh chili has a distinct, strong, saucy aroma. If you detect a sour or foul odor, the batch is most likely in the danger zone and past its prime. Note appearance. If the color unusual or if it develops mold or has a slimy texture, these are signs that bacterial growth has taken place and it should not be eaten.

Can you keep chili warm in a crockpot? ›

So here's the verdict when it comes to chili food safety: You can leave it in the slow cooker for hours after it's done cooking if the cooker is set to the “low” or “keep warm” setting.

What is the best way to reheat chili? ›

A saucepan is often the preferred method for gently warming leftover chili, allowing for stirring to distribute heat without degrading the taste.

Can you reheat chilli the next day? ›

You don't have to be a card-carrying leftovers lover to know that some foods are just better when reheated the next day -- especially chili. You'd be hard-pressed to find a chili that doesn't become even more flavorful after a brief stint in the fridge.

How long to reheat beef in a slow cooker? ›

Place the Crock-Pot lid on the cooker and allow the roast to reheat for approximately 2 to 4 hours.

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