How Long Does Vegetable Broth Last
Vegetable broth may last for about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. You may also increase the shelf life of the vegetable broth by freezing it. Before freezing, make sure that you should pack them in an airtight container or a freezer bag to avoid contamination.
You can keep one carton of veggie broth straight up in your freezer for up to 6 months, and the broth is still safe to eat. Once you are done, you can store the broth in a sealed container in the fridge up to 5 days, or the freezer for up to 3 months. Once you have opened the jars or cartons, the broth will last for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator (maybe 5).
Once you open the box or can, keep in the refrigerator; if the can or carton is unresealable, transfer the broth into a plastic container or Mason jar before you put it into the refrigerator. Once the stored vegetable broth is opened, you can safely consume the broth for approximately 3-4 days before it spoils, provided that you keep it refrigerated.
Properly stored, a unopened can of vegetable broth typically stays at a good quality for around 3 to 5 years, though generally will still be safe for use beyond this time. If expired vegetable broth is opened and stored in a pantry or on the kitchen counter, it is likely bad, even if it is not past its best-by date. Your refrigerator is a better spot for homemade veggie broth, though freezing is also a good idea if you are sure you will not use it in one week.
If left at room temperature without supervision, do not let it sit outside for more than two hours (this range of temperatures is called the danger zone), and after two hours, harmful bacteria will begin to rapidly grow on it. It is highly probable that your unopened stock will turn sour if left in a hot environment. It is best practice to keep vegetable broth in a refrigerator shelf instead of in the door, because the fridge door experiences many temperature fluctuations which may ruin the quality of the vegetable broth.
The good news is if you have to keep your homemade veggie broth longer than 4-5 days, you can always consider freezing leftovers. Even if you do not remember to freeze the rest immediately, so long as your broth is still fine in the fridge, you will be able to take it out and freeze at any time (generally during the 3-to-4-day window discussed above). The best way to extend the shelf life of your broth is to only purchase the amount of broth that is needed, and either freeze it, or consume any leftover broth in just a few days.
| Types | Shelf Life |
| Homemade Veggie Broth | 4-5 days |
| Store-Bought Vegetable Broth | 1 to 3 months in the freezer and for 5 days in the fridge. |
Let it cool fully, then either use immediately, or freeze/refrigerate at the amount you prefer (I freeze my leftovers in an ice tray, just keep in mind 6 cubes of broth=half a cup). Once your broth is frozen, you can pop out the cubes and store in your freezer bag.
Once the original package is opened, you will want to transfer any leftover broth to a sealed container or can. Once you open a can of broth, you are encouraged to immediately transfer leftovers to an air-tight container or a plastic zip-lock bag, and store them in your fridge. It is best to transfer leftover broth immediately into an airtight container or plastic zipper bag and store in the refrigerator after opening a can of broth. To maximize the shelf life of canned or packaged beef stock broth after it is opened, store in covered glass or plastic containers.
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You can refreeze the broth quickly if there are leftovers. The resulting stock can be used as the base of soups, stews, and sauces. It is a healthful, aromatic way to add nutrients and depth of flavour to soups, stews, and other dishes.
Chicken stock is a staple in many recipes, but it can ruin your whole meal — and potentially get you sick — if it goes bad. It does not hurt you, but if it is bad, it may keep you from cooking the broth. If it does not show signs of spoilage, but tastes stale, you might need to throw it out because of the quality. It is best to check for any signs of spoilage if you have been holding onto the stock for a long period, or you are simply unsure whether or not it is safe for consumption.
If you are planning on saving the vegetable scraps to create a stock for a later date, make sure you wash any vegetables prior to cutting. If you would like to make your own broth, but are not sold on the idea of using vegetable scraps, also check out this vegetable broth recipe. No matter how many vegetables or vegetable scraps you have handy, you can make stock on the stovetop, in the crock pot, or in an Instant Pot.
You do not necessarily need to add anything beyond vegetables (or veggie scraps) and water to your broth, but adding a few strategically placed pieces of animal (chicken, pork, beef, or fish) will give your broth a substantial nutrition boost. A well-cooked, flavorful pot of broth, seasoned with herbs and vegetables, can be preserved and added to tons of other dishes, adding that extra kick to your recipes.
You can gather scraps from vegetables throughout the days or weeks, seal them up in a freezer bag, and store in a freezer until you are ready to cook broth. Properly stored, cooked vegetable stock lasts for 3 or 4 days in the fridge. Vegetable stock thawed in the microwave or with cool water should be eaten immediately.
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Unopened, store-bought vegetable broth will last for approximately 1 to 3 months beyond itsbest-by date if stored in a cool, dry, and dark pantry corner, away from direct sunlight and heat. The best by or best before dates written on the store-bought vegetable broth cans are quality-related, not security-related, so vegetable broth does not necessarily spoil right after a best before date. This is a time when you will get to enjoy the peak quality and taste of your vegetable broth, but you can still use a vegetable broth that is past that date if it is stored correctly and does not have mold, odors, or flavors. You can store homemade veggie broth in the fridge for several days then freeze it for a back-up option.
Can I use vegetable broth past the expiration date?
Cans of unopened vegetable broth have a shelf life of three to five years when kept in a cool, dry place. It needs to be used within roughly five days of being opened. The vegetable broth in cartons can stay fresh if not opened for about three months after the best-by date. It keeps for five days in the refrigerator after being opened.
How long does homemade vegetable broth keep?
In a tightly sealed container, this broth will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator or for about a month in the freezer. Since the liquid will expand as it freezes, make sure to allow some room at the top if you plan to place it in the freezer.
How do you preserve vegetable broth?
You should pour your stock into plastic freezer bags and place them flat in the freezer to save space. Try plastic-free food storage containers if you want to avoid using plastic. If you’re using vertical freezer containers, leave 1 inch of headspace because the stock will expand as it freezes.