How Long Is Beef Broth Good For?

How long is beef broth good for?

By TheWholePortion

Page last updated: 03/21/2023 | Next review date: 03/21/2025

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In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long is beef broth good for” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of a beef broth in different mediums. Moreover, we are going to discuss whether or not you can refrigerate the reheated beef broth.

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

How long is beef broth good for?

The shelf life of beef broth depends upon several factors like whether it is homemade or store-bought (canned) if it is opened or unopened and the way it is stored.

Canned beef broth

Unopened canned beef broth lasts for about 3-5 years, or 1-2 years past the best by date if it is stored in a cool, dry, and dark corner of the pantry away from direct sunlight and heat. But it is worth mentioning that a 3 years old beef broth won’t be as good as the fresh beef broth but it would still be safe to drink.

As soon as you open the can of your store-bought beef broth, the clock starts ticking and you have a limited time in which you can enjoy the good quality and flavor of beef broth. Once opened, canned beef broth lasts for about 4-5 days when stored in the fridge. It is the time in which you can enjoy the best quality and flavor of your beef broth.

As soon as you open a can of broth, it is recommended to transfer the leftovers in the air-tight container or plastic zipper bag immediately and store it in the refrigerator. Moreover, it is a good practice to store the beef broth on the shelf of the fridge rather than the door as there is a lot of temperature fluctuation at the door of the fridge that can mess up the quality of the beef broth.

Homemade beef broth

Homemade beef broth lasts for about 3-4 days if it is stored properly in an air-tight container in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

You should never store the hot beef broth directly in the air-tight container as the moisture can build up inside the container and can provide a suitable environment for bacteria to grow, which can resultantly spoil your beef broth. You should let the beef broth cool thoroughly before storing it in an air-tight container.

It is worth mentioning that these figures are just the estimated shelf life of the beef broth and you can enjoy the best quality of beef broth within this time.

You can read what is the best bone broth here.

Is beef broth safe to use after the best-before date?

The “best by” or “best before” date that is written on the can of store-bought beef broth refers to the quality rather than safety so the beef broth doesn’t necessarily go bad immediately after the best before date.

This date refers to the time during which you can enjoy the peak quality and flavor of beef broth but you can still use beef broth that is past this date as long as it was stored properly and there is no mold, off-smell, or off-flavor in it.

How long does beef broth last at room temperature?

Homemade or open canned beef broth can last for about 2 hours when kept at room temperature. You should discard the beef broth that has been left in open for more than 2 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore there are greater chances of the beef broth being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2 hours.

Can I freeze beef broth?

Yes, you can easily freeze beef broth. beef 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 beef 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 beef broth.

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

Can I refrigerate the reheated beef broth?

Once you have reheated your refrigerated or frozen beef broth, you should never refrigerate it. The reason behind this is that when you heat the previously refrigerated or frozen beef 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 beef broth again.

Other FAQs about Beef which you may be interested in.

Can you sear beef with string on?

Can you sear beef ahead of time?

Can you roast beef eye fillet?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long is beef broth good for” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of a beef broth in different mediums. Moreover, we discussed whether or not you can refrigerate the reheated beef broth.