How Long Can Opened Chicken Broth Stay In The Fridge?
To put it simply, opened chicken broth can stay in the fridge for up to three to four days if stored properly. However, if stored in a freezer then opened chicken broth will last up to two to three months, without going bad – that too if stored properly.
In sum, the chicken stock needs to be stored in the refrigerator once opened, and it should last for only three or four days thereafter. Once you are allowed to open a packaged chicken broth, the clock begins to tick, reducing shelf life to around five days. Once a can or carton is opened, broth stays refrigerated for three or four days (maybe 5). Your broth will last in the fridge about 5 to 6 days (just watch out for spoilage), or for 6 months if stored in the freezer.
Let the broth sit at room temperature for about 1-2 hours, then transfer it into the fridge for the night. If you leave the broth at room temperature for too long, it will spoil and you will need to throw it out. If you are planning on keeping your homemade chicken stock in your fridge, you will want to know how long it will last. If you are planning on eating your homemade chicken soup in 3 weeks, you are best advised to keep it at room temperature.
| Type of broth/stock | In the refrigerator (32-34°F) | In the freezer (0°C) |
| Chicken Stock (opened) | 3-4 days | 3-6 months |
| Home-made Chicken broth | 5 days | 6 months |
| Canned beef broth | 4-5 days | 6 months |
You can freeze an opened can or carton of chicken or beef stock to prolong its shelf life if you know that you are not going to use it for some time. You can also make homemade Chicken Boiler Cubes as a storage method to prolong your stocks shelf life. You can freeze the broth in ice cube trays, then put it into resealable plastic bags, then store it in your refrigerator. Speaking from experience, I recommend freezing broth in two-cup containers, considering this is a standard measurement in most recipes.
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Homemade stock needs to cool thoroughly before moving into a sealed container, then stored in the refrigerator. After you have pulled just enough out of the container for consumption, move leftover broth into another sealed container, and keep the entire thing in the refrigerator for subsequent usage. A store-bought beef stock can that has not been opened should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct sunlight, so it does not spoil. The pantry or a kitchen cupboard are both great places to keep things. Once opened, stock must be stored refrigerated at all times in a properly sealed container. To do so, transfer the contents from the can into a Mason jar or another sealed container. After you have opened it, store canned or bottled beef broth in a covered glass or plastic container in your fridge to prolong its shelf life.
To learn about How Long Can You Leave The Raw Chicken In The Fridge, then check out my another article.
To increase the shelf life of commercially prepared beef broth, it is processed in an aseptic environment for optimum sanitation. These items may still be edible even after their expiration dates if stored properly and unless they are destroyed by packaging. After being opened, remaining products typically will last 3-5 days in a refrigerator (can vary with different brands). Chicken stock packaged in an aseptic container may last for a year after its printed use-by date, provided that it is not opened and is stored in your pantry correctly. Remember to check your shelf life ahead of time, but you can add another whole year on top of that if your chicken broth smells and looks fresh when you open it. Now, when it comes to if you should eat the chicken broth you have had that is been opened for around 14 days, the answer is, to taste the best quality out of an opened tin chicken broth, you are advised to use it in 4-5 days (refrigerated) as it starts losing flavor later on, and it may also spoil if it is not stored correctly.
In the fridge, the fat of homemade chicken broth will solidify and form a condensation covering over the broth which will keep it preserved and fresh up to 6 days. The fat will congeal in the fridge, creating a cover above the broth that will preserve and keep it fresh for up to ten days. Fat is typically present in home-cooked stock, not in store-bought stock, as manufacturers tend to strain chicken fat from their products to create a cleaner look. Sometimes, there is a small layer of chicken fat that forms at the top of my chicken stock, just scoop it out into a garbage can with a spoon, and you are ready to heat.
If you decide not to immediately use or freeze your chicken stock (bone broth), store in the cooler back section of the fridge below 40 degrees and use it within 2-3 days. When you want to thaw and use your Chicken Stock Cubes, remove from freezer and allow to sit overnight in the fridge; or, you may use them right away by melting in the cooker on medium heat until completely rendered to liquid.
The reason for doing so is because when you heat up the chicken broth which has been previously refrigerated or frozen, it will increase in temperature from 40 degrees F., which is a proper temperature for bacterial growth, so the bacteria may grow in speed in this, and you should never refrigerate that chicken broth again. This remains true even when you heat the broth up again; heating meat up the second time does not necessarily eliminate all bacteria that has started spreading in the food. You should throw out the chicken stock that has been left out for over 2 hours, because the bacterial development happens quickly at temperatures of 40degF to 140degF, so the chances that your chicken stock is already contaminated with bacteria are higher if it has been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Remember this next time you decide to make a large batch of broth; leftovers might not last as long as needed, unless you put a few in the freezer. Also, it is imperative that you immediately transfer the leftovers into shallow, leak-proof containers or polyethylene zip-lock bags when you open a container of chicken stock, and keep them refrigerated. The reason that your broth might appear in a can on a shelf is because the broth is made in a sterile environment, and is therefore sealed inside the airtight container.
How can you tell if the chicken broth is bad?
The pleasant aroma will be replaced by a harsh stench if the liquid chicken stock has gone bad. Additionally, you could see some silt in the holder’s lower portion, and the chicken stock can appear cloudy. They won’t ever again be crumbly, assuming your 3D squares or chicken bullion granules are degrading.
Can you use chicken stock after 10 days?
If carefully stored in your pantry and not opened, chicken broth packaged in aseptic containers can survive up to a year after the indicated use-by date. This also applies to canned chicken broth, so even after the expiration date on the container, your chicken broth might still be good.
Do boxed goods expire?
Although they may eventually go bad or develop an odd flavor, packaged items (cereal, pasta, and cookies) will be safe after their “best by” date. If the food has degraded, you’ll be able to tell when you open the package. Many food dates on the packaging are for quality, not safety.