Skip to Content

How Long Does Homemade Chicken Bone Broth Last In The Fridge

How Long Does Homemade Chicken Bone Broth Last In The Fridge

How Long Does Homemade Chicken Bone Broth Last In The Fridge

Homemade chicken broth approximately lasts for 4 to 5 days, if it is stored properly in the refrigerator, or up to 6 months if stored in the freezer. The best way to store the broth is by using jars storing it with an air-tight seal/lid on top of the jar to keep it fresh and tasteful.

The answer to that first question is YES, chicken stock will eventually spoil, regardless of whether you are making it with boiled chicken (or chicken bones, the body of the chicken) or with stock, home-made chicken broth, or canned chicken broth. Whether you have homemade chicken stock or canned store-bought chicken stock, it will last 4-5 days in the refrigerator. If you keep the opened broth in your refrigerator correctly, your best time to use or cook your opened chicken stock before it spoils is 3-5 days.

If you know that your stock has been sitting in the refrigerator longer than 3-4 days, you are advised to avoid using your stock. Of course, you should always check for signs of spoilage before using a stock that has been stored longer than a few days. Your stock should last for around 5-6 days in the fridge (just checking for spoilage), or for 6 months when stored in the freezer.

Unused broth can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge, where it will last up to three days, or, if frozen, for up to three months. Homemade beef stock needs to last in the fridge about four days, and it also freezes well for up to 3 months. Beef broth that has been thawed in the refrigerator may need an extra 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator before using, beef broth thawed in the microwave or with cool water should be used immediately.

If you are interested in Can I Buy Rotisserie Chicken With Food Stamps then you can check that article.

Properly stored, an unopened can of beef stock typically stays at a good quality for approximately 3 to 5 years, though generally will still be safe for use beyond this time. Chicken broth packaged in an oz-friendly container may keep up to one year beyond its printed “use by” date, provided that it is not opened and stored in the proper manner in the pantry.

Learn three ways to freeze broth

Once you are allowed to open a package of chicken broth, the clock begins to tick, and shelf life drops to around five days. Now, when it comes to the question whether you should eat the opened can of chicken broth that has been around for 14 days, then the answer is, to enjoy the best quality of open-can chicken broth, you are advised to use it in 4-5 days (refrigerated), as it starts losing flavor later on, and may also spoil if it is not stored correctly.

Chicken broth is a delicious addition to any recipe, you can also just enjoy it plain, and if you want to avoid wasting your broth, or if you want to keep it longer than the recommended shelf life, then you are going to have to store it the right way. With home-cooked chicken broth, you should never keep the warm chicken broth right away in air-tight containers, because moisture may build up within the container and may provide the proper environment for bacteria to grow, thereby destroying your chicken broth. You actually may heat your homemade broth up once, but you need to allow it to cool before transferring it into an airtight container and keeping it in your refrigerator.

In the RefrigeratorIn the Freezer
Homemade Chicken BrothCan be last up to 4 to 5 days.Up to 6 months in the freezer.
Homemade Beef BrothTill for 4 daysFor 3 months in the freezer.
How long different types of broth can be last up to?

The fat will remove all air, allowing the homemade broth to last up to 6 months in the freezer. Fat is typically present in home-made broths, not in store-bought ones, as manufacturers tend to strain chicken fat from their products to create cleaner looking products. The fat congesses in the fridge, creating a seal around the broth that protects it and keeps it fresh for up to ten days.

Once you make a batch of broth, in order to store it up to six months without canning or freezing, all you need to do is ensure a good 1/2 to 1 1/2 -inch layer of that rendered fat is on top of every canner or container that you strain the broth into. Speaking from experience, I recommend freezing your broth in two-cup containers, considering this is the standard measurement in most recipes. You could also make homemade Chicken Stock Cubes as a storage method to prolong your stock.

You can add several cubes of broth to rice or other grains cooked on the stovetop, for some added flavour. Some people say that stock is a stock made from the bones that has been carefully strained, with fat separated, for optimum clarity in liquid, making it suitable to be served alone. Then, there are those who say that broth is a meat/veg/herb-flavored simmered water, but with no bones.

If the chicken stock turns out awful, the stores purchased chicken stock containers might have a little sediment on the bottom, making your chicken stock liquid appear muddy, while home-made stock may still look slick with just a bit of sediment. It is not a good idea to skim off this iced-off fat and keep using the liquid, as the broth could have been affected by the fat and ruined.

If you are interested in Can You Eat Fish Bones then you can check that article.

If a layer of fat looks abnormal, and smells smelly, with a little moldiness or discoloration, then it is time for you to throw all of your stock. As long as you have got a nice, thick layer of fat solidifying above the liquid, you are fine keeping it in the freezer for a couple weeks. Sometimes, there is a small layer of chicken fat on the top of my chicken stock, just scoop it out into a garbage bag with a spoon, and you are ready to heat.

The reason for this is when you reheat chicken stock from a previous refrigerated or frozen state, it goes up in temperature from 40 degrees F., which is a proper temperature for bacterial growth, so the bacteria may grow quickly in this, and you should never refrigerate chicken stock like this ever again. If broth has been exposed between 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours, then it is highly likely to be in contact with harmful bacteria and can lead to food poisoning if consumed. If you accidentally eat broth without realizing that it might have been compromised, and it tastes acidic, try to avoid eating it and throw away any leftovers.

Is chicken broth OK after 14 days?

Chicken broth can go bad even though it has a rather long shelf life when bottled. The commercial chicken broth comes in aseptic containers and, with careful storage, can remain fresh for up to a year after the marked expiration date.

How long can I keep homemade chicken bone broth in the fridge?

Homemade chicken broth is a laborious yet fruitful task that reaps delicious results. You can store your homemade chicken bone broth and stock it in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. However, to further extend your broth’s freshness and quality, you should store it in the freezer for up to 5-6 months.

How can you tell if chicken bone broth has gone bad?

To tell if your chicken bone broth is spoiled, you should look for mild changes in color, odor or appearance. If your broth starts developing a sour odor or you notice that the flavor has changed, you should immediately discard it. Other signs of spoilage include a moldy layer or greenish specks developing on the liquid.