How Long is Beef Broth Good After Opening? Explained

Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Shari Mason

Love **beef broth** and eager to add more flavor to your soups, stews, and sauces? 💕🍲🥘👨‍🍳👩‍🍳

If so, a good beef broth is what you need to transform the most basic recipe into a culinary masterpiece.

But once you crack open this liquid gold, how long can packaged beef broth stay fresh and safe? Here is the lowdown on how long beef broth lasts after opening. 

How Long Does Beef Broth Stay Good After Opening?

Store-bought beef broth can be kept for up to five days in the fridge in an airtight container or pot with a lid. It can also be frozen in ice cube trays or a freezer bag for later use. 

Properly stored beef broth last longer. But perishable food should be eaten within four to five days to avoid getting sick. Always follow food safety guidelines to prevent the risk of foodborne illness.

Read:

• What Is A Substitute For Beef Broth?
• Can You Drink Chicken Broth Straight Out Of The Box?
• Can You Use Broth In A Rice Cooker?
• How To Fix Broth If Too Oily?

How Long Will It Last in the Fridge?

Typically, it will last 4 to 5 days in the fridge, but this may vary based on the brand and storage. To maximize freshness and safety, follow packaging instructions and consume before the printed date. 

Leftover broth can be frozen in freezer bags for later use. Commercially packaged beef broth, when properly stored, can also be preserved in the freezer for a longer period.

Read: How Long Does Veggie Broth Last In The Fridge?

Should Beef Broth Be Refrigerated After Opening?

Yes. It’s best to refrigerate or freeze the beef broth, especially if it’s homemade and lacks preservatives. 

Freezer bags are ideal for this purpose, and an unopened can of beef broth can be stored at room temperature as it’s shelf stable. In addition, proper storage preserves its flavor.

Read: What To Do With Bones After Making Bone Broth?

Can You Freeze Beef Broth After Opening?

Freezing beef broth is recommended for preserving it for longer periods. All homemade beef broth last for extended periods if frozen. 

Use small containers like ice trays for easy portioning or a bigger freezer-safe container to preserve beef broth. 

Allow space in the container for expansion during freezing to maintain quality. Thaw frozen broth in the refrigerator to maintain its flavor.

Opened Beef Broth Shelf Life

	Pantry	Refrigerator	Freezer
Opened Boxed Beef Broth	Not Recommended	4-5 days	Up to 3 months
Opened Canned Beef Broth	Not Recommended	4-5 days	Up to 3 months
Leftover Homemade Beef Broth	Not Recommended	3-4 days	Up to 3 months

How To Tell If It Has Gone Bad

Smells Bad

Its fresh, meaty fragrance with a brown hue typically lasts until it begins to spoil. A bad beef broth is usually indicated by a sour or foul smell. A bloated package will also tell if the beef broth is bad. 

Tastes Bad

A bad taste is a clear sign that beef broth is bad. Bacteria proliferate and produce compounds that can cause an off taste or odor in the beef broth if not stored properly. 

“A good broth will resurrect the dead”,

– South American Proverb

Consuming it can lead to food poisoning, making it critical to monitor its shelf life, store it properly, recognize the signs of spoilage, and dispose of any that tastes or smells bad.

Weird Texture

Expired beef broth can pose health risks, so it’s important to know when to dispose of it. A commercially packaged beef broth that has passed its expiration date should be discarded. 

For homemade beef broth, look for congealed fat on top or changes in the color or texture of the fat as indicators of spoilage. Clots or clumps in either indicate it has gone bad [1].

How To Store Beef Broth After Opening

For the canned broth, transferring any leftovers to an airtight container or jar is necessary to keep it fresh. 

Ensure the container is tightly closed to prevent air and bacteria from entering. Following these steps can help ensure it stays safe and flavorful for as long as possible.

FAQs

Conclusion

Beef broth, whether homemade or store-bought, will eventually go bad. Proper storage is the key to prolonging its shelf life. 

All unopened store-bought beef broth last in the pantry beyond its use-by date, while opened broth should be refrigerated and used within 5 days. 

Homemade broth can last up to 4 days if refrigerated properly. However, frozen beef broth has a shelf life of up to three months. Therefore, checking for spoilage signs before consuming beef broth is important.

References:

1. https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/how-should-homemade-stock-be-stored/  
2. https://www.eatingwell.com/article/80518/do-food-expiration-dates-really-mean-anything/