How Long Does Bone Broth Last in the Fridge? Storage Tips Inside
Bone broth tastes good, is good for you, and can be used in many recipes. However, how long does bone broth last in the fridge? These steps will help you keep bone broth safe, tell you when it's gone bad, and make it last longer. These tips will help you enjoy bone broth without wasting any or putting your health at risk, whether you make it yourself or buy it.
How long does bone broth last in the fridge?
Bone broth is full of nutritional benefits that can help your skin health, joint pain, and your immune system. To get these benefits, though, you need to store things correctly. How long does bone broth last in the fridge? Knowing this will help you avoid waste and health risks, whether you make your own or buy a store-bought beef broth.
Shelf life of homemade vs. store-bought bone broth
Since it doesn't have any preservatives, homemade bone broth doesn't last as long. In general, it can stay fresh for 5 to 7 days in the fridge. Most unopened store-bought broths are shelf-stable and do not require refrigeration until opened.
Once opened, they last 4–5 days in the fridge.. If you do, it can only last 4 to 6 days. The times for making chicken broth and beef bone broth are similar.
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Homemade chicken broth: 5–7 days in the fridge
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Store-bought beef broth (opened): 4–6 days
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Frozen bone broth: Up to 12 months if stored properly
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Homemade stock from beef bones or a whole chicken carcass: This is similar to making your own broth.
Proven ways to safely extend its fridge life
You can extend bone broth shelf life by preparing and storing it in the right way. You can use these with a crock pot, an instant pot, or a slow cooker.
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Use a hot fill method: After the food is cooked, pour the hot broth right into the containers.
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Add apple cider vinegar or lemon: Adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar may enhance flavor and mineral extraction, but it does not significantly prevent bacterial growth or extend shelf life.
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Leave the fat cap: While a fat layer may reduce air exposure slightly, it should not be relied on for preservation. Always store broth in sealed containers under refrigeration.
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Cool completely before storing: Speeds up safe storage and stops bacteria from growing.
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Store in glass containers: To keep plastic from getting dirty, use glass or mason jars.
Does bone broth go bad in the fridge?
Yes, bone broth, like all perishable foods, can spoil if not promptly refrigerated below 40°F (4°C) and stored in airtight containers.
Broth that goes bad, whether it's made from chicken feet or beef bones, can make you sick and make your kitchen smell bad. Every home cook needs to be able to spot the signs of food going bad.
Why bone broth is highly perishable
Bone broth has a lot of good things for you that bacteria love. Because it doesn't have to be sealed or cooled quickly, broth that is stored can go bad in just a few days.
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Homemade broth: Doesn't have any preservatives, which makes it more fragile
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Exposure to air: Allows bacteria to grow
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Improper cooling: Makes places warm where bacteria can grow
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Not using airtight containers: Boosts the chance of spoilage
Common mistakes that lead to early spoilage
Simple mistakes can quickly shorten the time something stays in the fridge. If you're careful, you can avoid most of these mistakes.
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Not letting the broth cool down enough after cooking
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Putting things away in plastic bags instead of glass jars or freezer bags
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Not labeling the broth you keep in the fridge
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Not putting the broth in the fridge overnight to cool it down
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Keeping things close to the fridge door, where the temperature can change
How can you tell if bone broth is rancid?
If you have bone broth that hasn't gone bad yet, it can still go bad. Expired bone broth may look, smell, or even feel different. Look at the signs before you heat something up or use it again.
Visual and olfactory cues of spoilage
You can tell if fresh or leftover broth has gone bad by how it tastes. First, trust your eyes and nose.
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Sour or bad smell: A strong sign that it's bad
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Mold or floating bubbles: Don't take in
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Cloudy or discolored broth: Could mean contamination
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Change in texture: Broth that is slimy or thick is not safe.
Physical signs and risks of using rancid broth
If you eat spoiled broth, you could get mild to serious health problems. If any of these things happen, don't use broth.
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Vomiting or diarrhea: This often happens when you drink bone broth that has gone bad.
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Reduced nutritional benefits: When broth gets old, it loses minerals and vitamins.
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Bloating or discomfort: Could mean bacteria from food
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Not boiling it: Boiling broth before consumption can kill some bacteria, but it will not make spoiled broth safe to eat. Discard if there are any signs of spoilage.
How to tell if broth is bad?
The best way to store bone broth doesn't mean it won't go bad at some point. To keep your broth safe, you need to know how to spot signs of going bad.
Always check before using bone broth that you made yourself, chicken broth, or beef bone broth. A bad place to store the broth, or temperature changes, can make even fresh broth go bad quickly.
Signs to look for before using leftover broth
The best way to tell if your broth is still good is to taste it. Before using broth stored from the fridge or freezer in a recipe, you should always check it out. This is especially important during cold and flu season, when food safety is more important than ever.
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Smell check: The broth is no longer safe if it smells sour or funny.
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Visual signs: When something looks cloudy, has mold spots, or bubbles, that's a red flag.
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Texture change: If the broth is slimy or oily, it means it's going bad.
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Taste test: Try a small amount of the strained broth only if there are no other signs.
Labeling confusion: “Best by” vs. spoilage
You can get bad beef broth from the store even if the date on the package is very far away. Label dates are helpful, but they aren't always correct.
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Best by date: Not safety, but quality at its best.
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Opened containers: Need to be used quickly after being opened.
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Homemade broth: For the date, use your senses of smell and sight.
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Broth stored in freezer: Look for freezer burn or a fat cap that is broken.
Is bone broth safe for specialty diets like AIP?
Naturally, bone broth is full of nutrients, especially when it's made from chicken raised on pasture, beef bones, or a whole chicken. People who are on autoimmune or restricted diets, like the AIP, often use broth to help their bodies heal.
Bone broth can be AIP-compliant if it’s homemade or carefully selected to avoid non-compliant ingredients like additives, nightshades, or preservatives.
Why bone broth is AIP-compliant (when done right)
When made clean and simple, bone broth is okay for the AIP. If you make your own bone broth, you can avoid the allergens and preservatives that are in store-bought versions.
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Use only: Vegetables, olive oil, cold water, and a chicken bone.
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Avoid: Extras, flavorings, or spice mixes that you don't know about.
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Cooking process: You can use a slow cooker, a stock pot, or pressure canning.
What to look for when shopping for AIP-safe broth
Pick clean products that have few ingredients and clear sources. Check the package and shelf life.
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Packaging: You can use freezer bags, glass jars, or cans with a pressure seal.
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Storage tip: Keep in a dry and cool place or freeze in ice cube trays.
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Frozen broth: Do not re-freeze a frozen block that has already been thawed.
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Fat cap: It will last longer if you leave it where it is.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to health, bone broth is especially helpful during cold and flu season because it is full of nutrients. How long does bone broth last in the fridge? You need to store bone broth the right way, whether it's beef bone broth, chicken broth, or homemade broth from chicken or beef bones that were raised on pasture.
Before putting hot broth into jars or ice cube trays, let it cool down. Also, keep the fat cap on top to keep the broth fresh. It will stay safe and work better if you put it in the fridge or freezer.
FAQs
How long does bone broth last in the fridge?
Bone broth last 4 to 7 days in the fridge. Store bought beef broth can be good in the fridge 4 days after opened. Always check fat cap.
Can I freeze hot broth in ice cube trays?
Yes, let hot broth cool, then immediately pour into ice cube trays. Liquid freezes fast and keeps broth safe. Helps with broth shelf life.
Is beef bone broth made with beef bones safe to drink later?
Yes, broth made from beef bones is safe if broth stored right. Keep in freezer or unopened box in a dry area.
Does homemade chicken broth with chicken bone have the same shelf life as beef?
Yes, chicken broth and beef bone broth have similar shelf life if broth stored cold. Leave layer of fat to extend how long broth lasts.
Can I make bone broth with olive oil and add celery?
Yes, add celery and a little olive oil when you make bone broth. It boosts health benefits and nutritional value. Use pastured chicken or beef.
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