How long does opened chicken broth last in fridge?

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Quick Answer

Opened chicken broth will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator when stored properly in an airtight container. The key is keeping it cold at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth. Make sure to keep the broth covered and don’t let it sit out too long on the counter after opening. Chicken broth can also be frozen for longer term storage.

How Long Does Chicken Broth Last in Fridge?

Freshly opened chicken broth will last for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. The shelf life depends on a variety of factors like the sell-by date, storage container, and temperature.

Here are some general guidelines for how long chicken broth lasts when refrigerated:

Unopened chicken broth: About 1 year past the “best by” or expiration date on the package.
Opened chicken broth: 5 to 7 days
Homemade chicken broth: 3 to 4 days

Cooked chicken broth or stock: 3 to 4 days

These time frames refer to chicken broth that has been continuously refrigerated at 40°F or below. The colder the temperature, the longer the chicken broth will last.

Does Chicken Broth Go Bad?

Chicken broth can go bad if left out too long at room temperature or if improperly stored after opening.

Signs that opened chicken broth has gone bad include:

Mold growth
Slimy texture

Yeasty smell
Bubbles or foaming
Cloudy appearance

Sour odor

If your chicken broth develops any of those characteristics, it’s best to throw it out. Don’t taste or smell chicken broth that looks or smells off.

How to Store Chicken Broth

To maximize the shelf life of opened chicken broth, proper storage is essential. Here are some tips:

Refrigerate after opening – Keep chicken broth chilled at 40°F or below. Don’t leave it out at room temperature.
Use an airtight container – Pour broth into an airtight food storage container or mason jar rather than keeping it in the original carton.
Minimize air exposure – Leave as little headspace as possible in the container to reduce contact with air.

Use quickly – Try to use refrigerated chicken broth within a week.
Don’t freeze more than once – Freezing and defrosting chicken broth reduces quality.

An airtight glass or plastic container is ideal. Make sure to cover it tightly and store towards the back of the fridge where the temperature is coldest.

Can You Freeze Chicken Broth?

Yes, you can freeze chicken broth to extend its shelf life. Frozen chicken broth will keep for 2 to 3 months in a sealed container.

To freeze chicken broth:

Let cool – Don’t freeze hot broth, cool to room temperature first.

Use freezer bags, plastic containers, or jars – Choose an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
Remove air – Leave as little headspace as possible in containers before sealing.
Label and date – Note the type and date of the broth for easy identification later.

Store at 0°F or below – Consistently frigid temps are required for long term freezer storage.

Thaw frozen chicken broth overnight in the refrigerator when ready to use. Avoid thawing at room temperature.

Can You Refreeze Chicken Broth?

Previously frozen chicken broth can be safely refrozen, although the quality may decline with each freeze-thaw cycle. If you freeze broth again after thawing it, try to use it as soon as possible. Refreezing significantly impacts the flavor and texture.

Only refreeze thawed chicken broth that still smells and looks fresh. Don’t refreeze broth that has sat out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Refrigerate thawed chicken broth if not using immediately, and use within a few days.

For best quality, freeze chicken broth just once if possible. But refreezing thawed broth within the recommended guidelines is safe.

Does Chicken Broth Expire?

Chicken broth does eventually expire and has a limited shelf life. The expiration date printed on the packaging indicates the last date recommended for peak quality.

However, unopened chicken broth may still be safe to consume after the “best by” date as long as it has been properly stored. Make sure to store broth away from direct sunlight and heat for maximum freshness.

Once opened, chicken broth has a much shorter shelf life – just 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. Discard any opened chicken broth that looks, smells, or tastes unpleasant. Don’t rely on dates alone to determine safety. Use your senses and best judgment.

Pay close attention to signs of spoilage in opened chicken broth:

Mold
Cloudiness
Bubbles

Slimy texture
Off odors

When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t taste chicken broth that shows any odd changes in appearance or smell. With proper refrigeration, chicken broth can last about a week after opening. For longer storage, freeze chicken broth.

How to Tell if Opened Chicken Broth Is Bad

Here are some simple ways to tell if previously opened chicken broth has gone bad:

Check the dates – Is it past the 5-7 day recommended refrigerated shelf life after opening?
Look for mold – Discard if you see any mold growing on the surface.

Smell the broth – It should have a pleasant, mild chicken aroma without any sour or yeasty smells.
Check for changes in texture – The broth should be clear and free of sliminess.
Watch for bubbling or foaming while refrigerated – This could indicate microbial growth.

Chicken broth that smells unpleasant, shows signs of separating, looks cloudy or has particles floating in it should be discarded. When unsure, it’s always best to play it safe and throw away chicken broth past the point of peak quality. Don’t taste or swallow chicken broth that has gone bad.

How Long Can You Keep Chicken Broth In Fridge?

The shelf life for refrigerated chicken broth depends on a few key factors:

Unopened vs. opened – Unopened chicken broth lasts about 1 year past the printed date, while opened broth has a 5-7 day fridge life.

Store-bought vs. homemade – Store-bought broth lasts slightly longer than homemade since it contains preservatives.
Storage method – An airtight container in the back of the fridge extends shelf life.
Temperature – The colder the temperature, the longer chicken broth keeps.

As a general guideline:

Unopened chicken broth lasts about 1 year past the printed date.
Opened store-bought chicken broth lasts 5-7 days.

Opened homemade chicken broth lasts 3-4 days.
Cooked chicken broth or stock lasts 3-4 days.

For maximum shelf life, store chicken broth in a tightly sealed glass or plastic container at 40°F or below. Keep the container towards the back of the refrigerator where temperatures are coldest.

Regularly check opened chicken broth for signs of spoilage like odor, appearance, and texture changes. Discard any broth that looks or smells off instead of risking foodborne illness.

Does Chicken Broth Need to Be Refrigerated After Opening?

Yes, chicken broth should always be refrigerated after opening to maximize freshness and shelf life. Keeping opened chicken broth refrigerated helps prevent bacterial growth.

Store opened chicken broth in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator. Try to use it within 5-7 days for best quality. Don’t leave chicken broth sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours after opening.

Refrigerating chicken broth after opening also helps maintain its flavor, aroma, and texture. Warm conditions speed up spoilage.

The only exception is if you boil chicken broth immediately before using. If the entire pot of broth will be consumed right away, refrigeration isn’t needed.

Otherwise, always transfer leftover broth to a sealed container and refrigerate it within 2 hours of opening. Make sure your fridge temperature is set to 40°F or below.

Proper refrigeration keeps chicken broth fresh and safe to consume for about a week after the container is opened. It prevents issues like mold growth, bacterial overgrowth, and faster nutrient deterioration.

Can You Leave Chicken Broth Out Overnight?

It’s not recommended to leave chicken broth out overnight, whether it’s unopened or previously opened. For food safety and quality reasons, chicken broth is best refrigerated promptly after use.

Leaving chicken broth out at room temperature overnight allows bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli to multiply very quickly to dangerous levels. These bacteria can cause food poisoning.

Unopened chicken broth that hasn’t exceeded its expiration date is probably still safe if left out for just a night. But refrigeration maintains best quality.

Once opened, chicken broth left overnight at room temperature is much more likely to be unsafe. Always refrigerate opened chicken broth within 2 hours and use within 3-5 days.

If chicken broth is inadvertently left on the counter overnight:

Smell and look for any signs of spoilage like off odors, sliminess, or bubbles.
Check the temperature. Broth above 40°F for more than 2 total hours should be discarded.
Do not taste or use broth that shows quality changes or was above 40°F too long.

When in doubt, throw it out!

Refrigeration is the best way to enjoy chicken broth safely while preserving its flavor and shelf life after opening. Don’t leave it sitting out overnight.

Can Chicken Broth Be Left Out When Cooking?

It’s fine to leave chicken broth out at room temperature only while you are actively cooking. However, don’t leave the broth out for longer than 2 hours total before and after cooking.

Once chicken broth is added to hot food and removed from heat, leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours. Bacteria multiply rapidly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F.

Here are some tips for safely handling chicken broth while cooking:

Only keep broth at room temperature while in active use for cooking.

Don’t let broth sit out for more than 2 hours before or after cooking.
Refrigerate unused broth immediately if you won’t be cooking with it within 2 hours.
Transfer leftovers containing chicken broth to shallow containers for quick cooling.

Refrigerate broth-based leftovers within 2 hours.
When reheating leftovers, reheat fully to 165°F.

The 2 hour rule helps prevent the growth of dangerous bacteria that can make you sick. Be diligent about prompt refrigeration rather than leaving chicken broth out at room temperature too long.

How Long Can Chicken Broth Sit Out?

For food safety, chicken broth should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 total hours before and after cooking. After sitting out for 2 hours, bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels.

It’s fine to leave unopened chicken broth out on the counter for a short time, up to 2 hours. But refrigerate it as soon as possible after purchasing.

Once opened, chicken broth should be refrigerated within 2 hours. Don’t leave the container out on the counter after scooping some out to cook with.

And when simmering or cooking chicken broth, leftovers need to be put back in the fridge within 2 hours too. Divide into shallow containers so the broth cools quickly.

At room temperature higher than 40°F, bacteria in chicken broth start to rapidly double every 20 minutes. So limiting any time spent out at room temp is important.

If broth is left out too long:

Discard broth left out more than 2 hours after opening.
Check for odd smells, consistency changes, or mold growth.
Don’t taste or use chicken broth that looks or smells questionable.

When in doubt, throw it out!

Following the 2 hour rule helps prevent foodborne illness from chicken broth. Refrigerate it promptly after purchasing or opening.

Can You Reheat Chicken Broth?

Yes, leftover chicken broth can be safely reheated after proper storage in the refrigerator. Reheat it fully to 165°F or until steaming hot before using to prevent bacterial growth.

Here are some reheating guidelines:

Reheat only broth stored in fridge for less than 7 days.
Bring broth to a full rolling boil on stove or heat to 165° in microwave.

If reheating in microwave, stir broth well before serving.
Don’t cook on “keep warm” setting or just until warm.
Bring broth-based soups and stews back to 165°F.

Only reheat once for food safety.

A quick boil helps ensure broth has reached the temperature needed to kill any bacteria that may have multiplied during storage in the fridge.

Avoid reheating chicken broth at temperatures under 140°F since bacteria can survive. Heat thoroughly before consuming leftover broth within a week. Discard older broth instead of reheating.

Can You Reheat Chicken Broth Twice?

It’s best to reheat leftover chicken broth just once for optimal food safety and quality. Reheating chicken broth twice is not recommended.

The key concerns with reheating chicken broth twice are:

Increased risk of bacterial growth – Multiple cycles of cooling and reheating allow more bacterial growth.

Reduced flavor – Repeated heating negatively impacts the taste of the broth.
Declining texture – Broth can become thin, watery, and less viscous with multiple reheatings.

For best safety and quality, use leftovers within a week and reheat only once. Don’t save reheated broth to reheat again.

If reheating twice can’t be avoided:

Only reheat small amounts to be consumed right away.
Bring to a full boil or 165°F.

Evaluate smell and appearance before consuming.
Do not reheat broth twice if making soup or stew.

In general, leftover chicken broth is best reheated just once within a week of refrigeration. Discard older broth that requires multiple reheating.

Conclusion

In summary, opened chicken broth will maintain best quality and safety for 5-7 days when stored properly in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Keep the broth below 40°F at all times.

Don’t leave chicken broth sitting out for over 2 hours at room temperature after opening. Refrigerate promptly in a sealed container. Reheat only once fully to 165°F before consuming for food safety.

Following safe refrigerator temperatures, storage methods, reheating guidelines, and use-by dates will help prevent foodborne illness and extend the shelf life of chicken broth after opening. Discard broth that smells, looks, or tastes off instead of taking risks.