The shelf life, storage, and spoilage of beef broth (both store-bought and homemade) are all covered in this article. Discover the shelf life after opening the can, how to store the leftovers, and how to identify spoiled food.
Does beef broth go bad if you have a can that is well past the printed expiration date?
Or perhaps you have some leftovers and need to know when to use them. How long does beef broth last in the fridge?.
You’ve come to the right place if either of these sounds familiar to you or you’d like to learn more about beef broth. Read on.
BEEF BROTH, STOCK OR CONSOMME, COMMERCIALLY CANNED OR PACKAGED, SOLD UNREFRIGERATED — OPENED
- The precise answer to how long a can or package of beef broth lasts after opening depends in large part on storage conditions; keep opened beef broth chilled and tightly covered.
- After opening, store beef broth in a covered glass or plastic container in the refrigerator to extend shelf life.
- An opened container of beef broth will keep in the fridge for about 4 to 5 days if it’s been kept there consistently.
- Beef broth is safe to use after the “expiration” date on the package as long as it has been properly stored, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below). Commercially packaged beef broth will frequently carry a “Best By,” “Best if Used By,” “Best Before,” or “Best When Used By” date, but this is not a safety date; rather, it is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the beef broth will remain at peak quality.
- Opened beef broth can be frozen to further extend its shelf life. To freeze beef broth, place it inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- When kept properly, beef broth will maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but it will continue to be secure after that period of time.
- Only the best quality is intended for freezing; beef broth that has been continuously frozen at 0°F will remain safe indefinitely.
- How long does beef broth stay fresh after being frozen and thawed? Beef broth that has been defrosted in the refrigerator can be kept for an extra three to four days before using; beef broth that has been thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used right away.
- The best way to determine whether opened beef broth is bad or spoiled is to smell it and examine it: if the beef broth develops an off flavor, odor, or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be thrown away.
- Any cans or packages of beef broth that are leaking, rusting, bulging, or severely dented should be thrown away.
Sources: For more information on the informational data sources used for food storage, please click here.
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FAQ
Can you use beef broth after 14 days of opening?
No. In general, beef broth opened after 14 days should not be consumed. Even though beef broth may still be safe to consume for a few days after its expiration date, using it after that date could present some risks [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]
How can you tell if beef broth has gone bad?
The best way to determine whether opened beef broth is bad or spoiled is to smell it and examine it: if the beef broth develops an off flavor, odor, or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be thrown away. Any cans or packages of beef broth that are leaking, rusting, bulging, or severely dented should be thrown away.
Can you use broth after 7 days?
If the chicken stock has been opened, time is running out if you’re wondering how long chicken stock keeps in the refrigerator. To use chicken broth before it spoils, you have 3–4 days. This recommendation is valid for the majority of stock brands and is direct from the US Department of Agriculture.
How long can beef stock stay in the fridge?
If you properly chill the stock, it will last for about four days in the refrigerator. To do that, let it cool first. A large container of hot liquid shouldn’t be placed directly in your refrigerator. The container won’t cool all the way through quickly enough.