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Original poster

To eat chilli left out overnight

103 replies

Purplegiraffe345 · 17/04/2025 06:53

I batch cooked chilli last night, put it in sealed containers and left it on the side to cool. I finished cooking around 8pm but realised around 5am this morning that the pots were still out on the side. I then put the pots in the fridge. I plan to freeze them later.

Will they be OK to eat?

OP posts:
AlertCat · 17/04/2025 08:17

@Purplegiraffe345 i have always left food out overnight because it’s too hot at my bedtime to put in the fridge or freezer. I eat that food routinely several times a week and have never (touch wood!!) had a problem. Unless your house is super warm I wouldn’t worry at all.

Icanttakethisanymore · 17/04/2025 08:08

It’ll be fine. Just make sure you heat it properly when you eat it.

PoppyBaxter · 17/04/2025 08:08

It will be frowned upon on Mumsnet, but we would eat literally anything left out overnight and always have. Its not like we live somewhere hot. Just heat it to a high enough temperature when you reheat it and it will be fine.

Original poster
Purplegiraffe345 · 17/04/2025 08:06

Thanks all for your responses, very reassuring. I’ve put 6 in the freezer and left one in the fridge to have tonight to try, I will report back!

OP posts:
fruitypancake · 17/04/2025 08:05

It will all be absolutely 💯 fine . I would definitely eat this

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 17/04/2025 08:03

I can’t believe you’re even asking! It’d be a wicked waste to throw all that away. It’ll be absolutely fine to eat.

MidnightPatrol · 17/04/2025 08:02

I do this all the time, and would eat it.

I only wouldn’t eat it if I had milk / cream in it.

Thingamebobwotsit · 17/04/2025 08:01

Purplegiraffe345 · 17/04/2025 07:24

Thanks all, I did this with cottage pie as well (you’d think I’d learn by now) and it was ok.

It’s so annoying because I batch cooked like 7 meals to save me time later and if I throw it away now it will be a bigger waste of time.

The pots were sealed with a lid which I hope helps. It is also beef which is safer.

I might try one tonight and see if it’s ok. Is that a good idea?

It will be fine. As others have said just make sure it is piping hot and cooked through properly. In hot countries spices were used to help preserve the food as they had no refrigeration. You will find the chilli tastes even nicer today.

WonderingWanda · 17/04/2025 07:58

I've eaten some very questionable defrosted bolognaise and reheated sausages, warm bacon that have been marinating in a cool box in a warm tebt etc while camping. Being in a tent seems to bring out the cavewoman in me and I'll eat anything.

readytotumble · 17/04/2025 07:58

Purplegiraffe345 · 17/04/2025 07:24

Thanks all, I did this with cottage pie as well (you’d think I’d learn by now) and it was ok.

It’s so annoying because I batch cooked like 7 meals to save me time later and if I throw it away now it will be a bigger waste of time.

The pots were sealed with a lid which I hope helps. It is also beef which is safer.

I might try one tonight and see if it’s ok. Is that a good idea?

I’ve done this several times over the years. Frozen it straight away and never had any problems. I might write a note to use within 24 hours when getting it out of the freezer. If it was midsummer and had been 30 degrees all night I might think twice…

OneFineDay13 · 17/04/2025 07:55

I have done stuff like this and am still alive to tell the tale. Will be absolutely fine to eat

SchnizelVonKrumm · 17/04/2025 07:53

GreyCarpet · 17/04/2025 07:52

I lt probably wouldn't have been cool enough to freeze until around 2/3am anyway 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Exactly!

GreyCarpet · 17/04/2025 07:52

SchnizelVonKrumm · 17/04/2025 07:36

Of course it will be fine. If you only stopped cooking it at 8pm it would still be hot by the time you went to bed.

I lt probably wouldn't have been cool enough to freeze until around 2/3am anyway 🤷🏻‍♀️

GreyCarpet · 17/04/2025 07:50

I'd eat it.

I often do this if there isn't room in the fridge.

If you actually touch the food, it will feel similarly chilled to it would had it been in the fridge overnight.

I wouldn't do it in the height of summer but now will be fine.

Coffeeishot · 17/04/2025 07:48

Purplegiraffe345 · 17/04/2025 07:29

Sorry I mean beef I.e. a safer meat than others and cooked well.

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Yes beef is a "safer " meat, I'd definitely eat it. And have eaten in mince left out over night.

MoistVonL · 17/04/2025 07:48

I leave it out most of the times I cook it because it is too warm to put away.

It wouldn’t occur to me not to eat it.

TheHerboriste · 17/04/2025 07:47

It’ll be fine.

SchnizelVonKrumm · 17/04/2025 07:47

Purplegiraffe345 · 17/04/2025 07:37

Well exactly but I do wish I’d done it before going to bed!

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Why? That would be worse from a food safety perspective as the hot chilli would heat up the fridge/freezer Confused

Cecilly · 17/04/2025 07:45

I have done this before and it was fine. Just reheat it really well. Let it simmer softly for a few minutes.

Themostbeautifulcats · 17/04/2025 07:44

The flavour improves by being left overnight and I do this all the time.

Doingmybest12 · 17/04/2025 07:41

It will be fine. I maybe wouldn't after a hot summer night but this time of year no issues.

Secularbeaver · 17/04/2025 07:38

I do this every time I batch cook.

Original poster
Purplegiraffe345 · 17/04/2025 07:37

Hercisback1 · 17/04/2025 07:35

You couldn't have frozen it at 8pm last night anyway because it would have been too hot and heated up the freezer.

Well exactly but I do wish I’d done it before going to bed!

OP posts:
SchnizelVonKrumm · 17/04/2025 07:36

Of course it will be fine. If you only stopped cooking it at 8pm it would still be hot by the time you went to bed.

Hercisback1 · 17/04/2025 07:35

You couldn't have frozen it at 8pm last night anyway because it would have been too hot and heated up the freezer.

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