How Long Can Chicken Broth Last in the Fridge? Everything You Need To Know

One of the most useful things to have in your kitchen is chicken broth. You can use it to make a lot of different things, like soups, stews, risottos, gravies, and more. But chicken broth has a short shelf life, even when kept in the fridge, just like any other food that goes bad. So how long does chicken broth last in the fridge?.

The short answer is that opened chicken broth will last for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. However, the shelf life depends on a few factors:

How Long Does Unopened Chicken Broth Last?

Unopened, store-bought chicken broth has an impressive shelf life. Commercially packaged chicken broth can be kept in the pantry for up to a year after the “best by” date, as long as the packaging is not broken.

The key is to keep the chicken broth that hasn’t been opened in a cool, dry place. Heat and moisture are the enemies of shelf stability. If you store the broth the right way and don’t open it, it will be safe to use for about a year.

Once opened, chicken broth has a much shorter shelf life. This is because letting oxygen into the broth lets microbes grow and speeds up the loss of flavor.

Opened Chicken Broth Fridge Life

So how long is chicken broth good for once you open it? Here are some general guidelines:

• In the refrigerator: 4-5 days
• In the freezer: 3-4 months

The shelf life of opened chicken broth depends largely on how it is stored:

Storage Container

For best quality, store opened chicken broth in an airtight container. The original packaging or a resealable plastic container work well. This prevents the broth from absorbing funky flavors from the fridge while keeping it as fresh as possible.

Refrigerator Temperature

Keep the fridge set below 40°F. The colder the temperature, the better chicken broth will keep.

Freezer Storage

Freezing unused chicken broth in portion-sized containers is ideal for longer storage. Frozen broth will keep for 3-4 months with minimal loss of flavor or quality.

Date Labeling

Clearly write the date you opened the chicken broth on the container. This makes it easy to track how long it’s been in the fridge.

Follow these tips, and an opened container of chicken broth should easily last 4-5 days past the opened date. But how can you tell if the chicken broth has gone bad before the use-by date?

How To Tell If Chicken Broth Has Gone Bad

Chicken broth doesn’t necessarily have signs of spoilage that are immediately obvious. Here are a few ways to tell if your refrigerated chicken broth has gone bad:

• Change in color: Fresh chicken broth should be pale yellow. It may darken and deepen to an amber color over time but shouldn’t look grey or brown. An odd color change usually means it’s time to toss the broth.

• Cloudiness: Chicken broth is typically mostly clear with a thin, pale yellow color. Cloudy broth or broth with particles floating in it has likely gone bad.

• Sliminess: Fresh chicken broth should have a thin, broth-like consistency. If it develops a slimy, thick, or sticky texture, it’s best to discard it.

• Off odors: Chicken broth that is past its prime may smell unpleasant. Typical off-odors include sour, rotten, or stale smells. If it smells funky, throw it out!

• Mold: This one is obvious. If you see any mold growing in the chicken broth, get rid of it right away. Mold spores can spread quickly.

Whenever there is any doubt about the freshness of refrigerated chicken broth, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Remember, chicken broth is inexpensive and easy to prepare. Don’t risk getting sick from spoiled broth when it’s so quick to make a new batch!

Does Chicken Broth Go Bad If Never Opened?

Commercially packaged chicken broth has an incredibly long shelf life when the container remains sealed. As mentioned earlier, unopened chicken broth will stay fresh in the pantry for up to 1 year past the printed date.

As long as the packaging remains intact, chicken broth can safely stay in the pantry for a year. Only once it’s opened does the countdown to the use-by date start ticking.

Of course, it never hurts to give the unopened chicken broth a quick visual inspection and sniff test regardless of the date on the package. But in most cases, the broth inside will remain perfectly safe to use for many months as long as it stays sealed.

Can Chicken Broth Be Refrozen?

You can refreeze chicken broth, but the quality may degrade with each thaw cycle. Here are some tips for refreezing chicken broth:

• Refreeze broth in small portions rather than one large container. This prevents having to thaw more than you need to use.

• Freeze broth in air-tight containers, leaving 1⁄2 inch of headspace to allow for expansion. Plastic freezer bags also work well.

• Cool broth in the refrigerator before freezing. Don’t freeze piping hot broth.

• Label bags or containers with the refreeze date. Use within 2-3 months for best quality.

• Once thawed, use the refrigerated broth within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze broth a second time.

One thing to keep in mind is that each freeze-thaw cycle can degrade the flavor and quality of chicken broth. The ice crystals that form during freezing can damage the broth on a molecular level.

For best results, try to avoid refreezing chicken broth more than once. But during the first defrost, it should retain its flavor and performance.

How Long Does Homemade Chicken Broth Last?

Homemade chicken broth has a shorter shelf life than commercial varieties due to a lack of preservatives. Here are some guidelines for homemade chicken broth:

• Refrigerator: 3-4 days
• Freezer: 2-3 months

To extend the shelf life of homemade chicken broth:

• Simmer broth uncovered to reduce and concentrate flavors. This also kills microbes.

• Strain the broth through a cheesecloth before storing. This removes impurities.

• Let broth cool completely before refrigerating. Don’t transfer piping hot broth into the fridge.

• Freeze broth in small batches to avoid waste. Thaw only what you need.

• Store in air-tight freezer bags or containers. Leave headspace to allow for expansion.

With proper storage techniques, homemade chicken broth can stay fresh for up to 4 days in the fridge or 2-3 months in the freezer.

Signs of Spoiled Homemade Chicken Broth

It can be trickier to identify when homemade chicken broth has spoiled. Here are a few signs to watch out for:

• An “off” or unpleasant smell
• Mold growth
• Fizzing or bubbling when you reheat it
• A change from the original color
• A noticeably thicker or stickier texture
• Cloudiness

When homemade broth shows signs of spoilage, err on the side of caution and throw it out. Don’t take risks with food safety, especially when immunity-boosting bone broths are so simple to whip up using fresh ingredients.

Storing Chicken Broth For Maximum Freshness

Here are some tips for storing chicken broth to extend the shelf life as long as possible:

• Use chicken broth within a day or two for the freshest flavor and quality. The sooner it’s used, the better it will taste.

• Refrigerate promptly after opening. Never leave broth sitting out at room temperature.

• Use clean utensils each time you take broth out of the container. Never re-dip dirty spoons back into the broth.

• Freeze broth you won’t use within 3-4 days. Freezing stops the growth of microbes that cause spoilage.

• When freezing, leave 1⁄2 inch of headspace in containers to allow for expansion.

• Place opened chicken broth on a refrigerator shelf rather than the door to avoid temperature fluctuations.

Following proper storage methods can help chicken broth retain optimum freshness and quality during refrigeration or freezing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can you store chicken broth in the freezer?

In the freezer, chicken broth will keep for 3-4 months. For best quality, use frozen broth within 4 months.

Can you microwave chicken broth from the freezer?

Yes, you can safely microwave frozen chicken broth to thaw and reheat it. Transfer the frozen broth to a microwave-safe container before heating.

Is it safe to use chicken broth after the expiration date?

Unopened, commercially packaged chicken broth can safely be used for up to 1 year past the printed date as long as it was stored properly in a cool, dry pantry. Opened chicken broth can be used for up to 4 days past the opened date when refrigerated.

Can you get sick from spoiled chicken broth?

Yes, consuming spoiled chicken broth can potentially make you sick. Discard chicken broth that smells bad, looks abnormal, or shows any signs of spoilage. Don’t take risks with foodborne pathogens.

Does salt help chicken broth last longer?

Yes, salt acts as a preservative to help extend the shelf life of chicken broth. Commercial chicken broth contains salt for both flavor and food safety.

The Bottom Line

When stored properly, chicken broth can safely stay fresh for quite a while in your refrigerator or freezer. Follow these guidelines to get the longest shelf life out of opened chicken broth:

• Refrigerate promptly after opening
• Use within 4-5 days
• Freeze unused portions for up to 4 months
• Store in airtight containers
• Check for signs of spoilage before use

Keeping an eye on the opened date and being mindful of food safety practices will help you avoid wasting chicken broth. With proper storage, you can enjoy the convenience of homemade or store-bought chicken broth for months to come!