Do you have to use chicken broth within 14 days of opening?

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “Do you have to use chicken broth within 14 days of opening” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can use the chicken broth within 14 days after opening it. Moreover, we are going to discuss refrigeration and its impact on the shelf life of chicken broth.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

Do you have to use chicken broth within 14 days of opening?

The unopened can of chicken broth has a long shelf life but once the can is opened, the ticking of the clock starts and its shelf life considerably decreases. 

Now when it comes to whether or not you should consume the chicken broth that is opened for about 14 days, then the answer is in order to enjoy the best quality of the open canned chicken broth, it is recommended to consume it within 4-5 days (refrigerated) because afterward, it starts to lose its flavor and can even go bad if it is not stored properly.

Moreover, you should consider the best by or use by date written on the package of canned chicken broth. So if on one hand, some companies claim that you can use your open canned chicken broth within 14 days, we recommend you consume it within 5 days to enjoy its flavor. Moreover, it is worth mentioning here that you should keep your chicken broth refrigerated or else its shelf life will decrease to mere 2 hours.

Homemade or open canned chicken broth can keep going for around 2 hours when kept at room temperature. 

You should dispose of the chicken broth that has been left in open for over 2 hours as bacterial development happens at a quicker speed between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, accordingly, there is a more prominent likelihood of the chicken broth being as of now debased with bacteria when left for over 2 hours at the room temperature.

If you want to further prolong the shelf life of the chicken broth then you can go for storing it in the freezer. Chicken broth if kept in an air-tight heavy-duty freezer container can last for up to 4-6 months in the freezer. Thus keeping the chicken broth in the freezer will increase its shelf life considerably owing to the cool temperature of the freezer that halts the bacterial growth on the chicken broth.

Chicken broth if thawed in the fridge can be kept there for 3-4 days before reheating and eating it. If the chicken broth is thawed in the microwave, it is better to reheat and consume it immediately.

How long can you keep homemade chicken broth in the fridge? 

Homemade chicken broth can last in the fridge for up to 3 – 4 days. To further extend its shelf life, you can store chicken broth in the freezer. Broth stored in this way can last for more than 6 months.

How long can you keep chicken stock? 

Canned chicken stock can easily last for a year or till the date mentioned on the label without refrigeration. Homemade chicken stock should be refrigerated after preparation and can last for 4 – 5 days. To further prolong the shelf life, freeze it; frozen chicken stock can last for more than 6 months.

How long can you keep chicken stock in the fridge? 

Chicken stock that has been kept continuously refrigerated will be safe for consumption for 3 – 4 days. For better quality and taste, use the chicken stock as early as possible during this time period. You may start to notice a decline in quality on the 3rd or 4th day.

How long can opened chicken broth last in the fridge? 

Chicken broth usually comes in cans. Once opened, it should be transferred to a separate container for refrigeration. Chicken broth stored like this can last for up to 5 days in the fridge. It should be noted that original packing must always be discarded once the chicken broth has been opened and it should be moved to a new airtight container.

What is the shelf life of frozen chicken stock?

Uncooked chicken stock can last in the refrigerator for about 4 – 6 months. Chicken stock is also usually safe to consume beyond its mentioned “best by” date because the time mentioned is shown for best quality only. If properly stored and continuously left in the refrigerator, the cooked chicken stock will last for an indefinite amount of time.

Does broth go bad? 

Broth does not start to rapidly go bad unless it is opened. An unopened can of broth can last for a year after its mentioned expiry date on the packaging. However, once the packaging is opened, the shelf life comes down to only a few days (3 -5 days) and must be consumed within this time period.

Does chicken broth go bad after opening? 

Yes, chicken broth does go bad after opening. In order to maximize its shelf life, you should refrigerate it in an airtight plastic or glass container. In this way, broth may last for up to 5 days provided it is kept there continuously.

How long does chicken broth last after opening? 

Chicken broth can last for about seven to ten days after opening. Make sure it is properly covered and refrigerated throughout the storage period. In case of high temperature or improper storage, the broth may spoil even before the mentioned period. 

What is the shelf life of freshly made chicken broth?

Freshly made chicken broth is good to use for up to four-five days if it is kept refrigerated. At room temperature, it lasts for around one day before degradation starts to happen. For processed broth shelf life is indicated by expiration date.

Can chicken broth go bad?

Unopened chicken broth lasts for up to one year after the mentioned expiry date on the package. If the pack is opened and kept refrigerated, it is recommended to use it within 5-7 days, after which the quality declines and contamination may occur.

What is the shelf life of canned chicken broth?

Canned chicken broth’s shelf life can be of three to five years if unopened. It is safe to consume even a few months after that, but the quality and taste of the broth may be compromised. Opened can lasts for around six to seven days in the refrigerator.

What is the shelf life of boxed chicken broth? 

Storage condition Shelf life
Unopened, cool, dry place1 year beyond the printed expiry date
Opened, refrigerated3-5 days
Frozen, sealed properly 3-6 months

Does chicken stock go bad? 

Like other chicken products, the chicken stock also goes bad. If unopened, chicken stock will last for 1 year past its manufacturing date. However, once opened, the chicken stock does not last very long. It is recommended that you utilize the chicken stock within 3 – 4 days.

Chicken broth and refrigeration

Chicken broth can keep going for up to 4-5 days on the off chance that it is put away at roughly 40°F or underneath in the fridge. 

So whether you have homemade chicken broth or the store-bought canned chicken broth, it will keep going for 4-5 days in your fridge. 

It is a decent practice to store the chicken broth on the rack of the fridge as opposed to the door as there is a lot of temperature change at the door of the fridge that can wreck the quality of the chicken broth. 

Besides, when you open a container of chicken broth, it is directed to transfer the leftovers to a shallow air-tight container or plastic zipper bag promptly and store it in the fridge. 

On account of homemade chicken broth, you ought to never store the hot chicken broth immediately in the air-tight container as the dampness can develop inside the container and can give an appropriate environment for bacteria to develop, which can resultantly ruin your chicken broth. 

You should allow the chicken broth to cool altogether prior to putting it away in an air-tight container.

Moreover, once you have reheated your refrigerated or frozen chicken broth, you should never refrigerate it. 

The reason behind this is that when you heat the previously refrigerated or frozen chicken broth, its temperature rises from 40 degrees Fahrenheit and that is the suitable temperature for bacteria to grow, thereby bacteria can grow at a faster pace at it and you should never refrigerate such chicken broth again.

Other FAQs about Chicken which you may be interested in.

Can you eat raw chicken without getting sick?

Can dogs eat chicken nuggets?

Can you steam chicken?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “Do you have to use chicken broth within 14 days of opening” with an in-depth analysis of whether or not you can use the chicken broth within 14 days after opening it. Moreover, we discussed refrigeration and its impact on the shelf life of chicken broth.

Citations

https://www.canitgobad.net/can-chicken-broth-go-bad/#:~:text=Commercial%20chicken%20broth%20is%20packaged,decrease%20to%20about%20five%20days.

https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/16777

https://www.chowhound.com/post/fridge-lifespan-chicken-stock-406462

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!