Name: Exactly How To Reheat Chili
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 7 min
Ingredients: 1 portion chili (chili con carne, etc); 1 splash water (optional)

Table of Contents

Chili is a great meal for those cold winter evenings.

And one that’s super easy to make in bulk (I do it all the time).

But what’s the best way to reheat chili without affecting its taste or texture?

I experimented with four different reheating methods to find out.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best way to reheat chili is on the stove. Pour your leftover chili into a cold pan and reheat over a medium heat, stirring frequently. If the chili has thickened overnight, add a splash of water until it reaches your desired consistency. The chili should reheat in 5-7 minutes, depending on size.

A note on my experiment

One Wednesday evening, I made a big pot of chili and portioned out several servings to reheat later.

PS when I say chili, I am talking about the dish also known as Chili Con Carne, but any type of chili will reheat equally as well.

I tried the following methods:

On the stove (my favorite method)
In the oven (OK for larger portions)
In the microwave (great for single servings in a hurry)
In a slow cooker (not recommended)

I liked the stovetop reheating method best because you have great control over the heating process.

The microwave worked well for a single serving and was super fast, so it was a close runner-up.

The oven was okay for larger portions but proved more time-consuming.

Reheating chili on the stove

Pour your leftover chili into a cold pan and heat it over a medium heat, stirring frequently. If the chili has thickened overnight, add a tablespoon of water or stock at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. The chili should heat through in 5-7 minutes, depending on portion size.

How to reheat chili on the stove:

Transfer chili to a cold pan.
Set over medium heat, stirring frequently.
Add water or stock a tablespoon at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
Heat until bubbling and serve.

Keeping the heat at medium and stirring frequently reduces the chance of the chili catching on the bottom of the pan and burning.

It also helps larger portions heat more evenly.

I like to taste-test my chili as it’s heating and decide if it needs any extra seasoning. Sometimes I even stir some grated cheese into the mix (YUM).

My verdict

The stove was my favorite method for reheating leftover chili.

It’s the most versatile method because you can reheat any portion size. And you have the most control of the whole process in terms of how fast the chili heats and its consistency.

Reheating chili in the oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Transfer leftover chili to an oven-safe dish and add a few tablespoons of water or stock if dry or thick. Cover with a lid or foil. Set the dish in the center of the oven and heat for 15-30 minutes. Stir occasionally until heated through.

Note these timings are very approximate, and bigger portions of chili may need longer.

How to reheat chili in the oven:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Transfer chili to an oven-safe dish and cover it tightly with foil, or use a lid.
Heat in the center of the oven (15 minutes for small portions, up to 1 hour for large quantities), covered, until heated through.

Towards the end of the heating process, I like to take the foil off and add some grated cheese.

Pop it back into the oven uncovered for a few minutes, and you’ll have a wonderfully cheesy top.

If you want crispy cheese, you can broil it instead.

My verdict

The chili came out of the oven tasting fine, but I’m a very impatient person and found the process too slow.

I’d only use it if you had no hobs free on your stove.

Reheating chili in the microwave

Place your leftover chili in a microwave-safe dish and add 1-2 tablespoons of stock or water for extra moisture.. Cover the chili with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel. Heat for 60 seconds on HIGH power, then stir and continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot.

How to reheat chili in the microwave:

Put the chili into a microwave-safe dish or bowl.
To loosen the sauce add 1-2 tablespoons of stock or water per serving of chili.
Cover with plastic wrap or a damp paper towel.
Heat on HIGH for 60 seconds.
Stir, then heat in 30-second intervals until hot.

Shorter time periods help ensure you don’t overheat the chili and end up with tough meat.

If you’re serving the chili with rice, feel free to add the rice into the bowl along with the chili and heat it at the same time.

My verdict

The microwave is great for heating single servings of leftover chili.

It’s fast and easy, and the chili turns out well in terms of taste and texture.

Reheating chili in a slow cooker

While slow cookers are an excellent option for making chili in the first place, I do NOT recommend using them to reheat chili. A slow cooker would take too long to reheat the chili and could potentially leave it in the unsafe zone for bacteria for too long.

However, you can reheat chili in the oven or on the stove and then transfer it to the slow cooker to keep it warm until you’re ready to serve.

Many slow cookers come with warming settings that will safely keep food hot for up to two hours.

How to store chili

Allow the chili to cool slightly before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. The chili will last 4-5 days.

Aim to have the chili in the fridge within 2 hours of it being cooked. If it’s going to take too long to cool down, transfer the chili into smaller containers or submerge the pot in an ice bath.

Note that sometimes chili can stain plastic containers, so I prefer to use glass ones.

Can you freeze chili?

Chili freezes exceptionally well, which is why it’s a popular choice when people are stocking up on freezer meals. The texture may change a little while in the freezer, but usually not enough to be noticeable.

How to freeze chili:

Transfer room-temperature chili to freezer bags.
Remove air and seal.
Lay flat on the freezer shelf until frozen.
Use within six months.

You can also freeze chili in plastic or glass airtight containers, but freezer bags are easiest and take up less room.

Removing the air is an important step to reducing the chances of freezer burn ruining your chili.

If you’re using an airtight container, cover the top of the chili with a layer of plastic wrap so there’s no air gap.

How to thaw and reheat frozen chili

I prefer to thaw frozen chili overnight in the refrigerator. Place the bag on a plate or in a large bowl, just in case of unexpected leaks.

You can also thaw the chili by filling your sink with room temperature water and setting the bag in the water. Check and flip the bag over periodically until it’s thawed.

Lastly, you can use the microwave, but I find you tend to end up with overcooked meat. If you do use the microwave, use the DEFROST setting and break up any large chunks as soon as possible.

You can also reheat the chili straight from frozen on the stove.

To use the stove, set it to the lowest heat and place the chili in a heavy-bottomed pan along with 2-3 tablespoons of water.

Once the chili melts, you can turn the heat up to medium.

If your chili is stuck in an airtight container, you can get it out by briefly running the container under the hot tap.