We all have different powders and other spices to upgrade our foods or to use in some recipes.
Not everyone in your family might be fond of spices, leaving you with some leftover chili powder in your pantry or the cupboard. Does chili powder go bad or does it simply stay good?
Yes, chili powder does go bad, just like all foods and drinks will at some moment.
You want to make some tacos but you’re in doubt about your chili powder.
Look no further, because in this article we will cover all you need to know about its shelf life, how to store it, and spoilage signs.
Enjoy the read!
What Is Chili Powder
Chili powder is made from ground-dried chiles with some other spices. Many people confuse chili powder with chile powder, which is also made from ground dried chiles and doesn’t contain additives; and if they do, very few.
Chili powder is a blend or mix. There are a lot of different chili peppers and thus a lot of different variations are possible.
Today, we will talk about chili powder, the blend.
How Long Can Chili Powder Last
Chili powder does go bad and won’t last a lifetime, but you’ve guessed this already right ;)!
Chili powder comes with a best-by date. Best-by dates must be seen as a moment in the product’s life when you might not expect the best possible taste from it. It is an indication of freshness and quality but doesn’t say something about if the chili powder is bad or not.
We will start with a quick table for your convenience about the shelf life of chili powder:
Chili Powder | Pantry |
---|---|
Unopened | Up to 4 years |
Opened | Up to 2 years |
Chili powder can easily last up to 2 years after the best-by date when stored properly. Hence, it will even be good after 4 years or more, you’ll just have to add more powder if you want to make things spicier. Some say it will last indefinitely, but that’s more to say it will be good for a long time. For quality reasons, we’ll take max. 4 years.
The same logic goes for other spices like saffron, pepper, and so on.
Always try, as a food lover, to use the chili powder before the best-by date, and don’t let it sit there for years. The longer you wait, the more chili powder you’ll need for a certain level of spiciness.
Of course, the above periods are applicable if you’ve stored the chili powder in the right way.
How To Store Chili Powder
This is quite simple. You should store the chili powder in a dark and cool place where it will be safely hidden away from external threats like heat sources, direct sunlight, bacteria, air, moisture, and so on. The pantry will do just fine for that when you buy them and haven’t opened them yet. It can last up to 4 years when stored properly and still unopened.
How To Store Opened Chili Powder
As we know, from the moment you’ve opened it, it will be more vulnerable to external threats and should be resealed tight when not used. You can place it back in the pantry or in the cupboard in your kitchen. Be sure to seal it tight. It can still be good up to 2 years from the best-by date when stored properly.
Can You Freeze Chili Powder
Yes, you can freeze it but we don’t recommend it. As always when we’re talking about freezing a product, just make the consideration: should you and why?
Just think about what you’ll use the chili powder for, if you’re not an avid chili powder user, it might be a fine choice to freeze it but since it can remain good for so long when stored properly, we shouldn’t consider this.
You might do more damage to your chili powder when freezing and thawing it compared to letting it rest in the pantry.
Follow these guidelines when freezing your chili powder:
- Divide them into single-serve portions
- Pack them in 1 or 2 plastic freezer bags (double-bagging them)
- Label the bags or containers with the correct date and time of freezing
- Place into the freezer and let it freeze
When you’re about to use the chili powder, let it thaw at room temperature. Try to consume within 6 months. That’s just all about freezer management if you ask us. Why let it sit for longer?
If you still have leftovers from the thawed chili powder, don’t refreeze it. That’s the end of life. Get rid of it.
Before using the chili powder, it’s best to check for some spoilage signs.
How Can You Tell If Chili Powder Has Gone Bad
You don’t need to worry about chili powder in the long run if you’ve stored it properly.
Chili powder won’t get bad fast but lose its potency over time.
When it comes to checking for spoilage, you have to develop and trust your senses and your ability to use them. We on GoodOrGoneBad.com always say you should be better safe than sorry.
Use the following guidelines when checking your chili powder for spoilage:
- Do you see a sign of mold? This can be seen together with clumps of chili powder. Discard it immediately.
- Do you see some clumps in the chili powder? This means that it might be time to replace it.
- Does the chili powder have a sharp smell? If you smell something funny or unpleasant, toss it away.
- How is the taste? Does it taste odd? Get rid of it. With odd we might mean it doesn’t taste as it should taste. Even when it tastes like anything, it’s possible that it’s already gone bad. Discard it and reduce the risks.
As always on GoodOrGoneBad, we like to stress the importance of using good products and consider tossing the chili powder if you don’t taste the usual taste. It’s always better to buy some new chili powder and use them faster than consuming chili powder if you’re not sure it’s still good. By doing so, you’ll reduce the possible risks and negative effects on your health and well-being.
Enjoy your chili powder!