How long does chicken curry last in the fridge? How long does curry sauce last in fridge? Can you eat chicken curry after 4 days? Let us find answers to these questions in our detailed guide.
The shelf life of chicken curry is quite short just like most perishable foods. It can only for 3-4 days on average. Chicken curry will start going bad or at least lose its best quality after 4 days even in the fridge.
Curry has its roots in the Indian Subcontinent. It is a delicious and common dish in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. However, not many people make curry in the United States and miss the unbelievable taste it offers.
There are different types of curries such as chicken curry, meat curry, vegetable curry, and even fish curry. All these curries have one thing in common. They have a lot of spices just like most subcontinental dishes. They can have everything including tomatoes, coriander, chili, garlic, onion, turmeric, etc.
Curry is rarely made in the United States and Europe. Therefore, you must preserve the leftovers if you do make it. But – can you store curry in a refrigerator?
How Long Does Curry Last in the Fridge?
Another question arises here. How long will curry last in the fridge? As mentioned above, chicken curry will only survive for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. However, it also depends on storage and other factors such as the type of curry.
Coconut and other rare curries will only last for 2 days in the fridge. You must throw it away if it has been in the fridge for more than 2 days. Vegetable curry, on the other hand, has a shelf life of 3 days if refrigerated.
Some people even freeze the curry for longer periods. The curry may not go bad altogether but it will no longer maintain its quality after a maximum of 4 days. Therefore, it is recommended to eat it while it is still fresh.
How Long Does Chicken Curry Last at Room Temperature?
Chicken is a tasty dish and sometimes, you cannot help but keep on eating it. However, you have to stop at some stage, and what if you still have some leftovers? Curry can last for 4 days in the fridge. But – how long does it last at room temperature?
Curry will most probably expire just after 2 hours if you leave it at room temperature. Bacteria will start proliferating it, making it inedible to eat. Therefore, you must consume it within the first 2 hours.
Keep in mind that bacteria grown on the refrigerated curry as well. However, the speed of growth is not as fast as on the curry left on the countertop.
Still, you must not eat more than 4 days old curry. Bacteria keep on growing and multiplying despite the speed of growth. Therefore, it is quite deleterious for health to eat curry after 4 days.
Can You Freeze Curry?
Now, you know how long is curry good for in the fridge. But – can you also freeze it or not? Curry is one of the easiest dishes to freeze without any side effects thanks to its dense texture and robust flavor. You can freeze it in a can or a frozen block. You must choose the method of freezing depending on how long you want to freeze it, the type of curry, and the time taken to make it.
Freeze the curry in a can in the case of a small freezing space. However, it is faster and easier to store it in blocks when you have a larger space. You can also use resealable bags as well.
You can store curry for up to 3 months in a freezer. It will lose its peak taste after 90 days, prompting you to eat it within this period. Do not forget to thaw the curry before eating or cooking. It is not recommended to eat from the frozen even though it is more convenient.
How to Store Curry in the Fridge?
Freezing is a good way of increasing curry’s life. However, properly storing it in the fridge can also enhance its life without freezing. The best methods to store curry are as below.
Store in Small Portions
You must store curry in small portions just like every other dish. Always put the curry in an airtight or shallow container to keep air and moisture away. Airline zipper bags just do not let both these things get close to the curry. As a result, your curry remains fresh for longer.
Let the Curry Get Cold
Curry happens to be quite hot when you cook it. Do not put in it the fridge before it attains room temperature. Bacteria can easily grow if you put hot curry in the fridge. However, do not commit the mistake of leaving curry at room temperature for more than 2 hours as well. It will quickly go bad if you do.
How to Tell if Curry is Bad?
You can easily find out whether or not the curry is bad. The following are some of the standard signs of a bad curry.
Change in Texture
Fresh curry has a dense texture while bad curry has a slimy texture. You can rub it between your fingers and should it make slim threads on your fingers, throw it away immediately.
Change in Appearance
Bad curry changes its appearance considerably as well. It not only loses its color but also looks dull or weird. Therefore, you should never use such curry as it has already gone bad.
Foul Smell
Just like all bad foods, spoiled curry also has a foul smell as compared to the sweet aroma offered by fresh curry. Do not consume the curry if it radiates a bad smell.
Also Read: How Long Does Dehydrated Meat Last?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does curry paste last in the fridge?
Curry paste is different from the cooked curry. Its shelf life in the fridge is one month compared to only 4 days of cooked curry. The method of storing curry paste is a bit different. The best way is to put the curry in a screw-top jar layered with oil.
How long does homemade curry last?
Homemade curry will only survive for 4 days in the fridge. However, it keeps losing its quality with every passing day and will not be as tasty as fresh curry.
Can you eat chicken curry after 4 days?
No, you must not eat chicken curry after 4 days. It only maintains its quality, flavor, and texture within this period. It has a greater chance of going bad after 4 days and therefore, should not be consumed after that.
Final Thoughts
It is hard to resist eating curry. It is one of the most popular and delicious dishes in the Subcontinent. However, leaving it at room temperature for more than 2 hours is not a good idea. Similarly, you must not store curry in the fridge for more than 4 days. Never forget to defrost curry before eating it. Try to maintain the temperature of the fridge at 165° as it eliminates all chances of bacterial growth.