How Do You Freeze Small Quantities Of Canned Chili?

[Panhead John]

I don’t do hot dogs but maybe every few months, and when I do, it’s usually chili cheese dogs. I did a few last night and now have about 3/4 of a can of chili in the fridge. My routine has been to refrigerate it in a plastic container, thinking I’ll use it soon…🙄 That never happens and I wind up having to throw it out 2 weeks later. I’ve tried thinking of ways to freeze just a few tablespoons of it separately, to use later. The only thing I can think of is to maybe put it in ice cube tray pockets and freeze it? Then what?…..Don’t know how that would work, I only thought of that last night. I don’t eat canned chili by itself and I only buy it for occasional hot dogs. What would y’all do?

[Mosca]

I haven’t done this, but this is how I’d do it: I’d freeze it in individual serving sizes, maybe plastic sandwich bags. Then I’d vacuum seal each bag, after the chili has frozen.

That’s kinda a pain in the ass, though, and a waste of vacuum sealing equipment, for something that is pretty cheap. It’s probably easier and just as effective in the long run to simply press the air out of the sandwich bags, either before or after freezing. The idea is to prevent air from giving the chili freezer burn.

I don’t know if you have this product down Texas way, but if you do, it’s a good hot dog chili, and it comes smaller cans.

[texastweeter]

Hotdog sauce is just watered down chili. But the sandwich bag is exactly right. Put in appropriately sized zippee bag, lay flat in freezer. For longer storage remove frozen chili and vaccume seal into a flat sheet that can be stacked. Works for any liquid. Ice cubes work same way, but can't be stacked

[Michael_in_TX]

Panhead John I saw the Wolf hot dog sauce, too. If you google the reviews, it is almost universally hated. Apparently, it is a significant departure from Wolf Brand Chili. The ingredients are substantially different, which is really weird. They must have been trying to clone some other type of sauce or something.

[Panhead John]

Michael, yeah, when I tried the hot dog sauce, I hated it. Wound up just throwing the rest of it away and said….never again. That was many years ago and have only used the Wolf Brand Chili since.

[au4stree]

Could you freeze in ice trays, then put in a bag? Take cubes out when needed….

[Panhead John]

That’s what I was thinking about doing, but after giving it more thought, that would be kind of a pain maybe. Don’t know how easily they would slip out of the tray after being frozen🧐

[texastweeter]

Have doe that with big batches of pesto, but freezer burn can be a problem. Is especially bad on liquids

[STEbbq]

Clearly the solution is to buy a chamber vacuum sealer for around $400 plus a portable stand ($100) plus good quality bags ($20). Then, seal each tablespoon in individual bags and freeze. Unfreeze via sous vide ($200 for Joule) and serve only using the special hot dog spoon from OXO ($150).

Other than that, I got nothing.

Edit: I think Mosca ‘s solution saves you like 1k so I think that sounds good.

[STEbbq]

Oh fiddlesticks, I forgot my flow chart.

[58limited]

I'm still looking for that $150 hotdog spoon but can't find it on OXO's website

[Panhead John]

Good one STEbbq 😂 Answered like a true Pit Member! 👍

[58limited]

"How Do You Freeze Small Quantities Of Canned Chili?"

Put it into your freezer...duh


https://www.heb.com/product-detail/h-e-b-texas-tough-double-zipper-snack-bags-50-ct/22833

Alternatively, try to find some of those little plastic condiment cups with lids that restaurants use for to-go orders: 1 oz. = 2 Tbsp roughly (PJ might know these better as Jello Shot cups)

https://www.amazon.com/100-Sets-Plastic-Disposable-Portion/dp/B01N1562TZ/ref=asc_df_B01N1562TZ?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920869053492&hvnetw=s&hv q mt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid =pla-4583520395514646&psc=1

[Panhead John]

Great idea, the plastic cups with lid might be the ticket!

[STEbbq]

Nice! Play to PJ’s familiarity with Jell-O shots!

[texastweeter]

Done the jello shot cups things...don't. Left in the freezer too long they get VERY Brittle.

[smokenoob]

Zip lock makes a 4 oz container, may work: Ziploc Twist N Loc Food Storage Meal Prep Containers Reusable for Kitchen Organization, Dishwasher Safe, Mini Round, 24 Count

[Panhead John]

I like this, but I wish they came in a smaller number than 24 though. Definitely a possibility.

[smokenoob]

Panhead John gotta believe you can get smaller quantity at local grocer

[STEbbq]

58limited , unfortunately the OXO spoon was out of stock. The good news is after extensive research I was able to find a backup that would meet PJ’s demanding needs. Only 1 left PJ!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1515637918/rare-1892-sterling-silver-serving-fork

[Panhead John]

Alrighty folks, the moment you’ve all been waiting for……my decision!

I didn’t want everyone to be tossing and turning in bed tonight, unable to sleep, wondering what I was gonna do, so I decided quickly! 🙄 A couple of good ideas tossed out here, but I’m gonna go with 58limited ‘s idea of the small plastic cups with lids. smokenoob ‘s Ziplock containers was good as well, but I like the idea of the other one’s being disposable. I don’t wanna have to wash the Ziplocks after using em. You know how chili can stain the plastic and I like being able to just toss em in the garbage after using. The 2 oz size should be just right for 2 hot dogs. Thanks guys!

[Panhead John]

SheilaAnn No I don’t wash Ziploc bags…😂 If you notice smokenoob ‘s post, they’re Ziploc containers with a screw on lid..

[SheilaAnn]

Panhead John copy that. I DO reuse the screw top containers until they disintegrate. 🤣

[RonB]

if the cups are full, it might help freezer burn if ya press a small piece of plastic wrap onto the top of the chili to reduce contact with air.

[SheilaAnn]

Panhead John I’m in the same boat with certain things I make. If you go to the dollar store (or your equivalent). Grab these little snack bags. Work like a dream. Label them first, then add product. Freeze flat.

[smokenoob]

Tom was good while he lasted….

[Panhead John]

I’d noticed he hadn’t posted in a while.

[Donw]

I also appreciate that dollar store snack bags are made from recycled tires so you are not just saving money but the planet as well.🙂