ᐅ How to Reheat and Store Stew (Beef, Beans, Fish +) Leftover

Stews are a dish where meats of any kind are mixed with vegetables. The most popular are beef stews with potatoes, but I will still analyze other cases. Anyway, I will tell you about the general rule for storing stew.

You can store stew in the fridge for 3 or 4 days or freeze them for 2 to 3 months, as the stew is a product that you should keep in cold environments.

To know the correct way to preserve stew, you must continue reading.

How to store stew in the fridge

There are different types of stew since you can prepare it with pork, beef or chicken, and even with seafood, and you can all store them in the same way, which is:

Step 1: Wait for the stew to cool.

Once the stew is ready, and you have some leftovers or prepared in advance to have available later in the week, let it completely lower its temperature before storing it.

I advise you not to wait more than two hours before storing it to avoid the proliferation of unwanted microorganisms.

Step 2: Transfer the stew to an airtight container.

You can store the stew in the pot where you cooked it, but for space, safety, and comfort, it is best to put it in a container with an airtight lid.

Step 3: Store the food in the fridge.

Place the stew in the coldest part of your refrigerator. In this way, the stew can be 3 to 4 days inside the fridge, but if it is seafood, it can only be refrigerated for 2 or 3 days. [1]

How to freeze the stew

Can you freeze stew? It is possible to store stew, but there are some considerations you should keep in mind before freezing it.

If your stew has potatoes or some thickening, such as some flour or dairy, and you want to store it in the freezer for a long time, I recommend not adding it until you reheat it.

The potato absorbs a lot of moisture and can be too watery and sandy when reheated, while the thickener can separate from the stew when frozen, and when reheated, it can be lumpy.

Taking into account these points, you can proceed to save the stew as follows:

Step 1: Wait for the casserole to cool.

Once the stew is ready, let it cool to room temperature, but do not let more than two hours pass before storing it to avoid the proliferation of microorganisms.

Step 2: Transfer the stew to several containers.

Since the stew cannot be re-frozen, I recommend dividing it into several containers or airtight bags. Then you can place the portions inside a large freezer bag to prevent frostbite.

Step 3: Enter the storage date.

You can write the date on the bag with a marker or stick a label with that information or put some tape and write the date on top.

Step 4: Store the stew in the freezer.

This way, you can freeze the stew for 2 to 3 months. If it is made with any seafood, it can only be frozen for 1 or 2 months. [2]

How to reheat the stew?

When you need to heat the stew that you have kept in the fridge, you have to put it in a pot, turn on the stove over medium heat, and heat for 5 minutes with the pot covered.

You can also reheat the stew in the microwave, in a container with a lid suitable for use with an appliance. And perform runs of 30 seconds at medium power until it is hot.

If the stew is frozen, you can thaw it, leaving it for 45 minutes at room temperature, or leave it in the fridge overnight, and then you can reheat it, as I explained at the beginning.

The thawed stew can last two more days in the fridge if it is not reheated or thawed at room temperature.

You can reheat the meat directly frozen, but it will take longer, and if you heat it in a pot, you will have to do it over low heat, stirring constantly. While in the microwave, you can first choose to defrost and then heat it in batches.

How to preserve canned stew

In supermarkets, you can find cans of stew, usually meat or chicken, and you can keep that at room temperature or in the fridge for 2 to 5 years if it remains sealed. [3]

Once you uncover the can of stew, you must transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate it for 3 or 4 days. If you freeze it could last 2 or 3 months, do not forget to pass it to a suitable container and put the storage date.

How do you know if the stew spoiled?

One of the first signs that the stew got bad is when it begins to emit a pungent stench; that is, it no longer smells well.

If the stew has a strange or bad taste, such as rancid, it is no longer in good condition, and you should discard it.

It is also not a good sign if the stew develops mold, that is, black, green, or white spots or lint on meat or vegetables. If this happens, do not eat it and throw the stew in the trash.

How long does the stew last?

Product	Duration
Chilled stew (beef, pork)	3 – 4 days
Chilled stew (seafood)	2 – 3 days
Frozen stew (beef, pork)	2 – 3 months
Frozen stew (seafood)	1 – 2 months
Defrosted stew in the fridge	2 days
Commercial canned stew (sealed)	Until the expiration date
Commercial canned stew in the fridge (opened)	3 – 4 days
Commercial canned stew in the freezer (opened)	2 – 3 months

What is the best way to preserve the stew?

It depends because if you plan to consume the stew early or in the week, then the best way to preserve the stew is to refrigerate it, considering the flavors and consistencies do not change much and may even enhance the flavor.

If you freeze the stew, it is because you need to keep it for much longer, although it loses flavor the longer the stew takes in the freezer, and the potatoes or thickeners may freeze poorly.

Canned stew lasts a long time if kept sealed, but when you uncover it will stay practically the same as a homemade stew.

To learn how to preserve another dish, on this website, you have many topics that deal with this particular point and are constantly updated.