Do you want to know how long bone broth stays good in the fridge? Most homemade bone broth is good for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Store-bought bone broth, once opened, usually lasts 7 to 10 days. This can change based on many things. Is bone broth still good after these times? Probably not. It’s best to use it within these limits to be safe.
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Grasping Bone Broth Storage Life
Bone broth is a popular food today. People like it for its taste and health benefits. It is made by simmering bones, often from chicken or beef, for a long time. This process pulls out helpful things from the bones.
But like many foods, bone broth can go bad. How long it stays good is called its bone broth storage life. This can be different. It depends on if you made it yourself or bought it from a store. It also depends on how you keep it. Knowing how long bone broth lasts in the fridge is very important. It helps you use it safely. It also helps you not waste any.
Keeping bone broth fresh is key. Proper storage stops bad germs from growing. These germs can make you sick. When bone broth is stored well, you keep its good parts. You also make sure it tastes good when you use it. Let’s look at the details of keeping bone broth in the fridge.
How Long Does Homemade Bone Broth Last in the Fridge?
Homemade bone broth shelf life fridge is shorter than store-bought. This is because homemade broth has no added helpers. Stores often add things to make food last longer. You don’t use these at home.
When you make bone broth at home, you cook it for many hours. You then cool it down. After it cools, you put it in the fridge. If you store it right, it will stay good for about 3 to 4 days. Some people say it can last 5 days. But it is safer to use it within 3 to 4 days.
This short time means you should plan. Either use your bone broth quickly. Or you should store it in other ways for longer use. We will talk about other ways later.
Think of homemade broth like fresh soup. You would not leave fresh soup in the fridge for weeks. Bone broth is the same. It is a fresh food item. It needs to be kept very cold. It needs to be used fairly fast.
How Long Does Store-Bought Bone Broth Last in the Fridge?
Shelf life of store-bought bone broth is often longer than homemade. This is true before you open it. Store-bought broth comes in different types of packages. Some are in boxes that sit on shelves at room temperature. These are called shelf-stable. They can last for many months unopened. Other store-bought broths are found in the refrigerated section of the store. These must be kept cold all the time.
Once you open any store-bought bone broth, its fridge life changes. No matter if it came from a box or the cold section, it needs to be refrigerated after opening. Once opened, store-bought bone broth is usually good for about 7 to 10 days in the fridge. This is longer than homemade. This is often due to how it was made or packaged to kill more germs. But even with this, germs can start to grow once the package is open.
Always check the package for the “best by” date. This date tells you how long it is best before opening. After opening, follow the rule of 7 to 10 days. This is part of understanding refrigerated bone broth expiration.
Proper Bone Broth Storage Temperature is Key
The temperature of your fridge matters a lot. Proper bone broth storage temperature keeps germs from growing fast. Food experts say your fridge should be at 40°F (4°C) or colder. This low temperature slows down germs that cause food to spoil.
If your fridge is warmer than 40°F, food can spoil faster. This includes your bone broth. Make sure your fridge is set to the right temperature. Use a fridge thermometer if you are not sure. This is a simple step. It makes a big difference in keeping bone broth fresh.
Store bone broth in the coldest part of your fridge. This is usually at the back. Do not store it in the door. The door temperature goes up and down more often. This happens when you open and close the fridge. Steady, cold temperature is best for bone broth storage life.
How to Store Bone Broth in Refrigerator
Storing bone broth correctly helps it last longer. This is how to store bone broth in refrigerator the best way:
- Cool it Fast: If you made it at home, cool it down fast after cooking. You can put the pot in an ice bath in the sink. Or put the hot broth into smaller containers. Then put those small containers in the fridge. Do not put a large pot of hot broth right into the fridge. It will cool too slowly. This lets germs grow. It can also warm up other food in your fridge.
- Use Clean Containers: Put your bone broth in clean, airtight containers. Glass jars with tight lids are great. Food-grade plastic containers with good seals also work. Make sure the containers are clean and dry before you use them.
- Fill Containers Well: Fill containers almost to the top. Leave just a little space for the broth to expand if you decide to freeze some later. Filling them well means less air is in the container. Less air helps keep it fresh.
- Put Lids on Tight: Make sure the lids are closed tightly. This stops air from getting in. It also stops smells from other foods in your fridge from getting into your broth.
- Label and Date: Write what is inside on the container. Write the date you made it or opened it. This helps you remember how long it has been in the fridge. You will know if the bone broth is still good.
By following these steps, you help keep bone broth fresh for as long as possible in the fridge.
What Makes Bone Broth Spoil?
Bone broth spoils when bad germs start to grow in it. These are often bacteria. These germs eat parts of the broth. As they grow, they make things that change the broth. It might change smell, look, or texture.
Several things speed up this process:
- Warm Temperatures: Germs grow much faster in warm conditions. This is why proper bone broth storage temperature is so important.
- Time: Even in the cold, germs can grow slowly. Over time, enough germs can grow to make the broth spoil. This is why there are limits on bone broth storage life.
- Getting Dirty: If the broth is touched by unclean spoons or hands, germs can get into it. This adds new germs that can start growing.
- Air: Leaving containers open lets more air and germs from the air get in. Using airtight containers helps.
- Other Ingredients: Sometimes added things like vegetables can make broth spoil a little faster than just plain broth made only from bones and water.
Knowing what causes spoilage helps you prevent it. Good hygiene and cold storage are your best tools.
Signs Bone Broth Is Spoiled
How can you tell if your bone broth has gone bad? You need to look, smell, and sometimes feel it. These are the signs bone broth is spoiled:
- Bad Smell: This is often the first sign. Fresh bone broth smells savory and pleasant. Spoiled broth will smell sour, off, or just bad. Trust your nose. If it smells wrong, it probably is.
- Cloudy or Murky Look: Fresh bone broth can be clear or slightly cloudy. If it suddenly looks very cloudy, murky, or has weird stuff floating in it that wasn’t there before, it might be bad.
- Mold: You might see spots of mold on top or in the broth. Mold can be white, green, black, or other colors. If you see mold, throw it all away. Do not just scoop the mold off. Germs are likely all through the broth.
- Slimy or Thick Texture: Fresh bone broth might be thick like jelly when cold, which is normal because of the gelatin. But if it feels slimy, ropey, or has a weird gooeyness that is not the usual jelly-like texture, it could be spoiled.
- Fizzing or Bubbling: If you open a container and see fizzing or bubbles, this means germs are making gas. This is a clear sign of spoilage.
If you see any of these signs bone broth is spoiled, do not taste it. Throw it away safely. It’s better to be safe than get sick.
Keeping Bone Broth Fresh: Best Practices
To make your bone broth last as long as its safe refrigerated bone broth expiration date allows, follow these tips for keeping bone broth fresh:
- Cool it Fast (Again): This is worth saying again. Quick cooling is so important. Get it into the fridge or an ice bath within 2 hours of finishing cooking.
- Use Clean Everything: Use clean pots, clean spoons, clean containers, and wash your hands. Cleanliness stops germs from getting in.
- Store in Small Batches: Putting broth into smaller containers helps it cool faster. It also means you only open a small amount at a time. Each time you open a container, you let in some air and possibly germs. Using smaller containers lets you use one container fully without affecting the rest.
- Use Airtight Containers: We talked about this, but a good seal is key for keeping bone broth fresh.
- Keep it Cold: Make sure your fridge is cold enough (40°F or lower). Put the broth at the back of the fridge, not in the door.
- Don’t Leave it Out: Do not leave bone broth sitting on the counter at room temperature for a long time. If it’s been out for more than 2 hours, especially in warm rooms, it might not be safe to put back in the fridge.
- When in Doubt, Throw it Out: If you are not sure if your bone broth is still good, it is safest to just get rid of it.
These steps help you get the most out of your bone broth storage life in the fridge.
Freezing Bone Broth Instead of Fridge
What if you make a big batch of bone broth? Or you buy a lot? You might not use it all in 3-4 days (homemade) or 7-10 days (store-bought opened). This is where freezing comes in. Freezing bone broth instead of fridge storage is a great idea for longer life.
Freezing stops germs from growing almost completely. Bone broth can last in the freezer for many months. Experts say it can last up to 6 months or even a year. The quality might change a little after a year, but it will still be safe.
How to freeze bone broth well:
- Cool it First: Make sure the broth is fully cooled before freezing. Putting hot broth in the freezer can warm up everything else in there.
- Choose the Right Containers: You can use freezer-safe containers, ice cube trays, or freezer bags.
- Ice Cube Trays: Great for freezing small amounts. Once frozen, pop them out and put the cubes into a freezer bag. This gives you small portions you can use easily in cooking.
- Containers: Use freezer-safe plastic or glass containers. Leave about an inch of space at the top. Liquids expand when they freeze. If you fill it too high, the container might break.
- Freezer Bags: Fill freezer bags and lay them flat on a tray to freeze. Once frozen, you can store them flat or standing up. This saves space. Push out as much air as you can before sealing.
- Label and Date: Always write the date on your frozen bone broth. You will know how long it has been in the freezer.
- Freeze Quickly: Put the containers into the freezer as soon as they are ready.
Freezing is the best way to keep bone broth safe and ready to use for a long time. It greatly extends the bone broth storage life beyond the fridge limits.
Comparing Bone Broth Storage Options
Let’s look at the different ways to store bone broth and how long it lasts.
| Storage Method | Homemade Bone Broth Life | Opened Store-Bought Bone Broth Life | Unopened Shelf-Stable Store-Bought Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 3-4 days | 7-10 days | 7-10 days (if stored in fridge) |
| Freezer | 6-12 months | 6-12 months | 6-12 months |
| Pantry (Room Temp) | Not safe | Not safe | Many months (check ‘best by’ date) |
This table clearly shows why freezing bone broth instead of fridge storage is best for long term. It also shows the difference in refrigerated bone broth expiration for homemade vs. store-bought.
Store-Bought Bone Broth: More Details
We mentioned that store-bought bone broth comes in different forms. This affects its shelf life.
- Refrigerated Store Broth: This is found in the cold section. It needs to stay cold. Check the ‘best by’ date on the package. This is how long it is good unopened. Once opened, treat it like homemade but maybe a bit longer life (7-10 days vs 3-4). Store it carefully in the fridge at the proper bone broth storage temperature.
- Shelf-Stable Store Broth: This comes in boxes or cans. It sits on regular store shelves. These are processed at very high heat. This kills all the germs. So, unopened, they can last a long time, often a year or more. Always check the ‘best by’ date. But once opened, you must put it in the fridge. It then lasts about 7-10 days, just like opened refrigerated broth. How to store bone broth in refrigerator after opening a shelf-stable box is the same as any other opened broth.
The shelf life of store-bought bone broth depends a lot on if the package is open or not. Unopened shelf-stable broth lasts longest outside the fridge. Opened broth, no matter the type, needs the fridge and has a limited time.
When Bone Broth Gets Gelatinous in the Fridge
Sometimes, bone broth turns into a jelly-like substance when it’s cold in the fridge. This is normal! It’s a good sign. It means your broth is rich in gelatin. Gelatin comes from the bones and connective tissues that were simmered for a long time.
This jelly texture does not mean the bone broth is spoiled. It’s just what happens when the broth cools down. When you heat it up, it will turn back into liquid. So, if your bone broth is like jelly in the fridge, that is perfectly fine and expected. This is part of its natural state when cold. It does not affect the bone broth storage life or refrigerated bone broth expiration.
Reheating Bone Broth
When you want to use your bone broth from the fridge, you will need to heat it.
- From Fridge: You can heat it on the stove in a pot or in the microwave. Heat only the amount you plan to use. Do not keep heating and cooling the same portion many times. This can increase the risk of germ growth.
- From Freezer: If you froze your broth in small portions (like ice cubes), you can often add the frozen pieces right to your soup or sauce. If you froze it in a larger block, you can thaw it in the fridge first. This is the safest way to thaw food. It can take a day or two for a large container to thaw in the fridge. You can also thaw it in a pot on low heat on the stove. Or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Do not thaw bone broth by leaving it on the counter at room temperature.
Once thawed, treat the bone broth like it was just made or opened. Use it within 3-4 days if homemade, or 7-10 days if store-bought. You cannot refreeze bone broth once it has been thawed.
Is Bone Broth Still Good? A Quick Check
Let’s review how to quickly check if your bone broth is still good. This helps you decide if you can use it or if it’s past its refrigerated bone broth expiration.
- Check the Date: Look at the date you wrote on the container. Is it within the safe time limit? (3-4 days for homemade, 7-10 days for opened store-bought).
- Look at It: Does it look normal? Is it free of mold? No strange colors or cloudy spots?
- Smell It: Does it smell good and savory? Or does it smell bad, sour, or off?
If the date is good and it looks and smells fine, then your bone broth is still good. If the date is past the limit, or if it looks or smells bad, it is best to throw it away. These are the key signs bone broth is spoiled. Don’t take chances.
Factors Affecting Homemade Broth Life in Fridge
Homemade bone broth shelf life fridge is shorter. But some things you do when making it can affect its 3-4 day life.
- How Long You Simmer: Simmering for a very long time (like 12-24 hours) helps pull out more minerals and gelatin. It also makes sure any germs from the bones are killed.
- Straining Well: Straining the broth through a fine sieve or cheesecloth removes small bits of bone or meat. These small bits can sometimes cause the broth to spoil faster. A cleaner broth might last slightly longer.
- Fat Content: Bone broth often has a layer of fat on top when it cools. Some people remove this fat, some leave it. The fat layer can sometimes act as a seal. It can help protect the broth below from air and germs. However, the fat itself can sometimes go bad over a longer time, giving an off flavor. For a few days in the fridge, leaving the fat on might offer slight protection. For longer storage, removing the fat is often recommended, especially before freezing.
- Cleanliness During Making: How clean your tools and workspace were when you made the broth matters. More cleanliness means fewer germs got into the broth from the start.
These factors influence the starting point of your homemade bone broth storage life.
Understanding Shelf Life vs. Quality
It’s important to know the difference between something being safe to eat and something being at its best quality.
Refrigerated bone broth expiration dates (like 3-4 days or 7-10 days) are mostly about safety. After this time, harmful germs might be at levels that could make you sick.
But sometimes, bone broth might lose some quality before it goes bad. It might not taste as fresh. Its color might change slightly. This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe yet, just not as nice. However, with bone broth, changes in look or smell are often signs of spoilage, not just lost quality. So, rely on the signs of spoilage and the time limits for safety first. Keeping bone broth fresh is about both safety and quality.
Why Air Matters for Fridge Storage
When you store bone broth, try to reduce how much air is touching the broth. Air contains germs. It also contains oxygen, which can cause some foods to change.
- Airtight Lids: Using containers with lids that seal tightly keeps air out. This is one of the simple yet best ways how to store bone broth in refrigerator.
- Filling Containers: As mentioned, filling your container almost full leaves less space for air at the top.
By controlling air, you help in keeping bone broth fresh and extending its bone broth storage life in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Broth Storage
Q: Can I reheat bone broth more than once?
A: It’s best to only heat the amount of bone broth you plan to use right away. Repeatedly heating and cooling bone broth can allow germs to grow each time it cools down. This makes it less safe.
Q: What if my homemade bone broth doesn’t gel in the fridge? Does that mean it’s bad or won’t last?
A: No, not necessarily. Not gelling just means it has less gelatin. It can still be good broth. It still has helpful things in it. The lack of gelling does not change its fridge life (3-4 days) or how to tell if it’s spoiled (smell, look, mold).
Q: I left my bone broth out on the counter all night. Is bone broth still good?
A: No. If perishable food like bone broth is left at room temperature for more than two hours, it enters the “danger zone” where germs grow fast. It is not safe to use. You should throw it away.
Q: Can I freeze store-bought bone broth from a carton?
A: Yes. If you haven’t opened the carton, check if the carton itself is freezer-safe. Often, it’s better to pour the broth into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays first. If you have opened it, freeze any unused portion following the freezing steps we discussed. Freezing bone broth instead of fridge storage is fine for opened store-bought too.
Q: Does adding salt or herbs make bone broth last longer in the fridge?
A: Salt can help food last longer in very large amounts (like in pickles or cured meats). The amount of salt typically used in bone broth is not enough to greatly extend its fridge life beyond the usual 3-4 days for homemade. Herbs don’t usually make it last longer either. Proper bone broth storage temperature and quick cooling are much more important.
Q: How do I know the proper bone broth storage temperature for my fridge?
A: You can buy a simple thermometer for your fridge. Place it in the main part of the fridge and check it. Adjust your fridge settings until the temperature stays at or below 40°F (4°C).
Final Thoughts on Bone Broth Freshness
Knowing how long does bone broth stay good in the fridge is important. Homemade broth lasts about 3 to 4 days. Opened store-bought broth lasts about 7 to 10 days. Always keep it at the proper bone broth storage temperature of 40°F or colder. Use clean containers. Cool homemade broth quickly. Watch for the signs bone broth is spoiled, like bad smell or mold.
For longer bone broth storage life, freezing is your best friend. It keeps broth safe for many months. Following these simple rules helps you enjoy your bone broth safely and without waste. Keeping bone broth fresh means following good sense and food safety steps.
So, check your dates, trust your senses, and store your bone broth well. Enjoy your tasty and healthy broth!