Why did my gumbo stored in a metal pot refrigerated overnight change?

Why did my gumbo stored in a metal pot refrigerated overnight change? - Metal kettle on stove in modern kitchen

I make gumbo all the time and offered to make some for a event I was attending today. I cooked 6 gallons in three separate batches. I added them to a 8 gallon metal pot. I let it cool for a few hours and then placed it in my fridge. I also had some of the same gumbo stored in a tupperware container overnight. The gumbo in the metal pot looked completely different and had an off taste. The batch in the tupperware container tasted perfect.

I often cook large quantities of food and I have never had anything like this happen to me. I would never serve anything that was not perfect for my guests. I had to cancel the gumbo.

I would like to know if I did something wrong or if this was just a fluke. I have taken the Food Prep course and I understand the cooling issues and temps that food should be kept at.

gumbo


Best Answer

I can think of a couple answers here:

  • The larger volume of soup in the pot stayed hot much longer than in tupperware, and so it continued to cook, or fermented/spoiled overnight.
  • If the pot was aluminum and the gumbo acidic, the two reacted. I've seen this happen with long-simmered, acidic stocks. The color changes, and the flavor sometimes does too.


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Quick Answer about "Why did my gumbo stored in a metal pot refrigerated overnight change?"

The larger volume of soup in the pot stayed hot much longer than in tupperware, and so it continued to cook

What causes gumbo to spoil?

An insulated cooler stays cold longer than a plastic one. Once the ice packs have melted, spoilage can occur, making it important to eat the gumbo right away or get it into a refrigerator or freezer. Another option is to freeze the gumbo prior to transporting it, which gives you a longer period before spoilage begins.

How do you know if your gumbo is spoiled?

For example, any soup or stew that is cooked on too high a heat will become burnt on the bottom. You won't get sick from eating it, but from a flavor aspect, it's spoiled. Not being an expert in cooking gumbo, I can't cite all the specifics, but there surely is an optimum heat and time that it should be cooked.

Can you leave gumbo out overnight?

Step 1. Allow the gumbo to cool to room temperature, but leave it out for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the room is hot.

How long can gumbo be refrigerated?

It can be assembled and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. The gumbo can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and frozen for up to 6 months. It's best to freeze in individual portions, preferably with 1/2 cup or so of cooked rice placed in the container.


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