Whether you spent hours on the stove making your own delicious chicken broth or bought a carton at the store, you don’t want to drop a single drop. While some recipes use up a whole box of chicken broth, more often than not, youll have leftovers. So how long does chicken broth last in the fridge? Heres the timeline you should follow to ensure your chicken broth is safe for consumption, plus tips for storing it and ideas for using it up. And by the way, though technically chicken broth and chicken stock are slightly different, the rules for storing and freezing are the same for both.
Making your own chicken stock is a great way to add flavor to a lot of different dishes, like soups, stews, sauces, and more. It does, however, have a shorter shelf life than store-bought stocks and broths because it is made from scratch and tastes fresh. In the fridge, how long does homemade chicken stock last before it goes bad?
I’ll provide a comprehensive guide to maximizing the shelf life of homemade chicken stock with storage tips, visual guides, and delicious recipes for using it up.
The Benefits of Homemade Chicken Stock
Before we talk about how long homemade stock should be stored, let’s take a look at why it’s worth the work:
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Richer flavor – Simmering chicken bones vegetables and aromatics extracts more nutrients and collagen, resulting in deeper flavor compared to store-bought stocks.
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Natural ingredients: Homemade stock doesn’t have any of the added chemicals or preservatives that are often found in store-bought versions.
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Economical – Make stock with leftover bones and vegetable scraps for nearly free
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Versatile – Use homemade stock for soups, braises, rice/grains, gravies, and more. Elevates any dish.
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Nutritious – Homemade stock is packed with minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus extracted from the bones. Also contains immune-boosting compounds.
Clearly, homemade stock is worth the effort. Let’s look at how long it’s safe to keep in the fridge.
How Long Does Homemade Chicken Stock Last in the Fridge?
The shelf life of homemade chicken stock depends on several factors:
- Ingredient freshness – Made with older bones/veg scraps = shorter lifespan
- Cook time – Longer simmering kills more bacteria
- Cooling method – Rapid cooling inhibits bacterial growth
- Storage container – Airtight container prevents contamination
- Fridge temperature – Colder = longer lasting
With optimal conditions, homemade chicken stock will last 3-4 days in the fridge.
To maximize lifespan:
- Use fresh ingredients
- Simmer stock for 4+ hours
- Strain thoroughly; skim fat
- Quickly chill in ice bath
- Store in airtight containers
- Keep fridge temp at 40°F or below
Homemade chicken stock stored in airtight glass jars in the refrigerator.
How to Tell If Chicken Stock Has Gone Bad
Be vigilant and check for the following signs of spoilage:
- Appearance – Cloudiness, sliminess, or particles
- Smell – Foul odor unlike savory stock aroma
- Mold – Discard immediately if mold is present
- Taste – Rancid or unpleasant taste
When in doubt, throw it out! Consuming spoiled stock can cause foodborne illness. Don’t rely on boiling or reheating to make it safe.
Extending Life Through Freezing
Freezing homemade stock is an excellent way to preserve it for 4-6 months while maintaining quality. Here are some freezer storage tips:
- Allow stock to cool completely before freezing
- Use freezer-safe containers or bags
- Leave 1-inch headspace for expansion
- Seal tightly to prevent freezer burn
- Label container with date
- Defrost in fridge before use; don’t refreeze
Homemade chicken stock stored long-term in the freezer.
Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Stock
Don’t let that leftover homemade stock go to waste! Here are some delicious ways to use it up:
- Risotto – Use as cooking liquid for rich, creamy risotto
- Congee – Asian rice porridge highlighting the stock’s flavor
- Pot pie – Braise veggies in stock for pot pie fillings
- Pan sauces – Deglaze pans with stock after cooking meat
- Mashed potatoes – Add stock instead of milk for creamy potatoes
- Cooking grains – Cook rice, quinoa, etc. in stock for extra flavor
- Gravy – Thicken stock with a roux for hearty gravy
Veggie pot pie made with homemade chicken stock.
The Takeaway: Enjoy Homemade Stock Safely
With proper storage techniques, homemade chicken stock can keep in the fridge safely for 3-4 days. Pay attention to visual and aromatic signs of spoilage. For longer storage, freezing for 4-6 months is ideal. Get creative with ways to use up leftover stock. With a little planning, you can enjoy the delicious homemade flavor all week long.
Is there a difference between homemade and boxed chicken broth?It really depends on the type of boxed chicken broth you buy. While our
How Long Does Bone Broth Last In The Fridge #foodstorage
FAQ
Does homemade chicken stock go bad in the fridge?
Homemade stock can be stored in the refrigerator 4-5 days, frozen 6-9 months, or pressure-canned for 1 year, for best results.
Can I use chicken stock after 7 days?
Generally, opened and refrigerated chicken stock is best used within 3-7 days. Some sources say it might be fine for up to 10 days, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially if it was homemade or you’re not sure how fresh it is.
How do you know if chicken stock goes bad?
If it develops any smell or strange appearance, the broth should be thrown away. Check for signs of discoloration or cloudiness in the liquid. The texture shouldn’t be slimy either. If the broth has a layer of fat on top, that’s fine, but if you see mold, it’s bad.
Can homemade chicken stock go bad?
Chicken broth can be refrigerated for 3-4 days and frozen (for best quality) for 2-3 months.
How long does chicken stock last in the fridge?
Different brands of chicken stock have different fridge life times. Store-bought chicken broth has the same shelf life. You can find the “best by” date on the box of stock or broth. This tells you how long the stock will stay good before you open it. It also has the number of days it will last in the fridge after it’s open.
Can chicken stock be refrigerated?
To store chicken stock in the fridge, allow it to cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container or jar. Make sure the container is clean and sanitized before storing the stock. Keeping it covered tightly and away from potential contaminants will help keep it fresh for longer. How Can I Tell if Chicken Stock Has Gone Bad?
How do you store chicken stock in the fridge?
Place the containers of stock in a large bowl filled with ice and water. Stir the stock occasionally to ensure even cooling. Once the stock has cooled sufficiently, transfer it to the refrigerator as quickly as possible. The type of container you use to store your stock can also affect its shelf life.
How long does stock last in the fridge?
I checked five boxes of stock at my local grocery store and their “use within” time frame ranged from five to 14 days. “Opened stock generally stays safe in the refrigerator for five days,” says Janice Revell, cofounder of StillTasty.com, a website that helps readers avoid food waste.
How long does open stock stay safe in the refrigerator?
“Opened stock generally stays safe in the refrigerator for five days,” says Janice Revell, cofounder of StillTasty.com, a website that helps readers avoid food waste. “If the label states that the opened product is safer beyond that date, then consumers should follow the label guidance, but five days in the refrigerator is the safe guideline.”
How do you store chicken broth?
Proper storage is crucial to maintain the quality and safety of the broth. Once the broth has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bags. Label them with the date to keep track of freshness. If you plan to use the broth within a few days, store it in the refrigerator.