Curry is a dish that originated in India, and as the name implies, it contains spices.
It can be made with either chicken or lamb but typically includes curry powder, turmeric, and coriander.
The word “curry” actually refers to how these spices are ground together to make this dish.
In this blog post, we will discuss how long curry lasts, how to store curry properly, and how to cook perfect curries like an Indian restaurant.
Can You Eat Leftover Curry?

Curry is a dish that has been eaten since the 16th century.
Despite being popular in East Asia, its roots are found throughout India and Sri Lanka.
Some may be wondering- can you eat leftover curry? The answer to this question depends on how long ago your dinner was prepared and its ingredients.
If any form of meat or dairy products were included in the original recipe, then yes.
You should refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container and consume them within three to four days.
If you are cooking with vegetables, such as carrots or potatoes, your leftover curry can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.
However, if it’s just plain rice on hand, refrigerate immediately and do not exceed one day of storage time.
The same goes for any dish mainly made out of simple grains like pasta- store in the fridge no more than one day after its preparation date.
The bottom line? There is absolutely a way to eat leftovers so long as they’re properly prepared and stored.
How to Store Curry?
The first step to store curry is to make sure the container seals tightly.
If you use a jar, make it airtight with an old-fashioned lid or plastic seal and put it on tight before storing it away in your cupboard for long periods.
You can also use vacuum sealing bags if doing this process manually will be too difficult because they offer convenience when opening them later and keeping contents fresh longer than jars do.
This method may not work so great for people who cook their curries but works nicely enough that restaurants prefer these methods over cans due to how much better flavors stay preserved inside (even though canned goods have fewer exposure risks).
The next thing you’ll want to do is refrigerate the curry.
You can also freeze some of the sauce but make sure that you pack a separate bag for storage not to contaminate any other food items with their spicy flavor.
Label everything clearly.
How Long Does Curry Last? Does Curry Go Bad?
Curry may be the most complex and flavorful dish in all Indian cuisine, but not everyone appreciates it.
It’s a very spicy dish, so if you’re not keen on the heat or your palate cannot handle it, then curry might not be the best choice for dinner.
Curry is meant to be eaten with rice and bread to balance out all of that spice.
Most curries are served as dishes at restaurants and don’t have much longevity once they’ve been cooked because the herbs can quickly lose their potency after being prepared — which means that when cooking curry from home, make sure to eat within one day if possible.
Of course, this isn’t always feasible given other obligations (work) but consider making enough servings for leftovers for dishes like curry, which can be eaten cold or reheated.
If you do have leftovers and are looking to store them for a later date, then your best bet is the fridge.
Curry will keep in the refrigerator for two to three days (or even longer).
It just won’t taste as good after that point.
But if you know that you’re going to eat all of this dish before those couple days pass, then storing curry at room temperature is fine too: up to two hours with no significant difference in quality.
If possible, though, always refrigerate leftover curries, given their safety concerns.
So make sure not to let anything go to waste if you want to enjoy your curry later.
Can You Freeze Curry?
Yes. Curry is an excellent candidate for freezing because of its dense texture and robust flavors.
There are two methods to consider when freezing your curry– will you be using a can or frozen block?
What’s better depends on how much time you want to spend prepping before cooking dinner.
If freezer space is limited, then canned curry may be a better option for you.
If you have more than a few freezer spaces or are using smaller dishes to freeze your curry like resealable bags, then the frozen block will be easier and faster.
For the flavor to remain in peak condition, it is best to eat curry that has been frozen within three months.
Regardless of the method you choose, it’s essential to make sure your curry is thawed before cooking.
To save time and effort in the kitchen, we recommend making double batches when freezing curry.
This will allow for more pre-made options for quick weeknight dinners without having to wait hours on end for a finished product.
Plus, they’re less expensive than buying fresh ingredients at the store every day or two.
It may be tempting to eat from frozen because it’s convenient, but you should try not to do this too often.
So, if you’re craving curry and don’t have any on hand, it may be worth a trip to the grocery store.
Curry is best served with boiled white rice or Indian flatbread (naan).
How to Tell if Curry is Bad?
Did you know that most people love to eat curry? But if it doesn’t taste right, then they probably think something is wrong with the food.
Did you also know that there are a few easy ways to tell whether or not your curry has gone bad?
- The first thing you want to do is smell the dish. If it smells like sour milk, then there might be a problem with your curry.
- Next, if the food has an off-color or consistency (sour and slimy), this could also indicate that something is wrong with the curry.
- If you notice any unexpected odors coming from the dish, look for changes in its color or texture before tasting it.
- Remember that ingredients will have different flavor profiles when they are fresh versus when they go bad over time, so make sure to use good quality spices and store them properly.
Curry is one of those dishes where people are quick to judge if it has gone bad because they think curry doesn’t have a shelf life or any known expiration date.
This couldn’t be further from the truth because all foods go bad over time.
Follow the steps above to avoid eating a meal that has gone bad.
How Long Does Curry Last? Does Curry Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Curry
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.