{"id":368,"date":"2016-01-08T08:00:27","date_gmt":"2016-01-08T08:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/?p=368"},"modified":"2022-10-10T16:35:04","modified_gmt":"2022-10-10T16:35:04","slug":"can-chicken-broth-go-bad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/can-chicken-broth-go-bad\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does Chicken Broth Last and How to Tell if It\u2019s Bad?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:66.625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:66.625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:66.625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:66.625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:66.625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:66.625%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p>Today we&rsquo;ll cover whether canned chicken broth goes bad, how long it lasts after opening, and how you can tell that yours is spoiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So maybe your canned chicken broth is a week or two beyond the printed date, and you&rsquo;re wondering: <strong>does chicken broth go bad<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or maybe you have some leftovers and need to know <strong>how long does chicken broth last in the fridge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Either way, you&rsquo;re looking for a quick primer on chicken broth, and that&rsquo;s what this article actually is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&rsquo;s jump right in.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth.jpg\" alt=\"Fresh filtered chicken broth\" class=\"wp-image-3937\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-735x490.jpg 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-347x231.jpg 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-520x346.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20800%20533'%3E%3Crect%20width='800'%20height='533'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"Fresh filtered chicken broth\" class=\"wp-image-3937 eager-load\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth.jpg.webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-500x333.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-735x490.jpg.webp 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-335x223.jpg.webp 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-347x231.jpg.webp 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-520x346.jpg.webp 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fresh-filtered-chicken-broth-640x426.jpg.webp 640w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption>Fresh filtered chicken broth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"simpletoc-title\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"simpletoc-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#does-chicken-broth-go-bad\">Does Chicken Broth Go Bad?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-long-does-chicken-broth-last-in-the-fridge\">How Long Does Chicken Broth Last in the Fridge?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-long-is-chicken-broth-good-in-the-freezer\">How Long Is Chicken Broth Good in the Freezer?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-tell-if-chicken-broth-is-bad\">How to Tell if Chicken Broth is Bad?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#does-chicken-broth-need-to-be-refrigerated\">Does Chicken Broth Need to Be Refrigerated?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#chicken-broth-shelf-life-and-spoilage-summary\">Chicken Broth Shelf Life and Spoilage Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"does-chicken-broth-go-bad\">Does Chicken Broth Go Bad?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><strong>Chicken broth typically comes with a shelf life of 6 months to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/fondbonebroth.com\/pages\/faq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">2 years<\/a>, and as long as it&rsquo;s unopened, it should last at least 3 months beyond the printed date.<\/strong>&nbsp;If you store it in a cool and dry place, and the seal is untouched, it should be okay to use within that period and possibly even longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you might imagine, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.campbells.com\/swanson\/faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">sellers always recommend using their product before the date printed on the label<\/a>. But as you probably know, that date is a best-by date, not an expiration date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, it&rsquo;s how long the seller guarantees quality, not how long the broth will be any good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And as with most canned or boxed products, these typically keep for months beyond the printed date.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth.jpg\" alt=\"Cooking chicken broth\" class=\"wp-image-3936\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-735x490.jpg 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-347x231.jpg 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-520x346.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Cooking chicken broth\" class=\"wp-image-3936 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-500x333.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-735x490.jpg.webp 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-335x223.jpg.webp 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-347x231.jpg.webp 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-520x346.jpg.webp 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth-640x426.jpg.webp 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cooking-chicken-broth.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption>Cooking chicken broth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-long-is-chicken-broth-good-after-the-expiration-date\">How long is chicken broth good after the &ldquo;expiration&rdquo; date?<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, it&rsquo;s impossible to give an exact period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Boxed chicken broth usually has the shortest shelf life of maybe six months to a year, so three extra months seem like a safe assumption. Jarred chicken broths usually last a bit longer, so giving them an additional 4 to 6 months seems reasonable. Canned chicken broths last the longest, so using one that&rsquo;s 6 to 9 months beyond the printed date should be okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, those periods are rough estimates, and if you&rsquo;re not comfortable using chicken broth that&rsquo;s so long past its date, toss it. And don&rsquo;t lose your sleep over it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Second, when using &ldquo;expired&rdquo; broth, always examine the container, jar, or can before use, and make sure the seal is intact. And if it is, check the quality of the broth before using it &ndash; it might be safe, but taste meh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that your broth is opened, it&rsquo;s time to talk about how long it stays good.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup.jpg\" alt=\"Cauliflower soup\" class=\"wp-image-3932\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-735x490.jpg 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-347x231.jpg 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-520x346.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Cauliflower soup\" class=\"wp-image-3932 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-500x333.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-735x490.jpg.webp 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-335x223.jpg.webp 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-347x231.jpg.webp 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-520x346.jpg.webp 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-640x426.jpg.webp 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption>Cauliflower soup, based on chicken broth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-long-does-chicken-broth-last-in-the-fridge\">How Long Does Chicken Broth Last in the Fridge?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p><strong>Store-bought chicken broth typically lasts&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.collegeinn.com\/ideas-tips\/faq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">4 to 5 days<\/a>&nbsp;if it&rsquo;s sealed tightly in an airtight container or a lidded pot and refrigerated.<\/strong> However, some brands recommend longer storage times, so it&rsquo;s best to read the label for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If that&rsquo;s not long enough, you can freeze chicken broth for later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re curious about these extended periods, FOND recommends using their broths&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/fondbonebroth.com\/pages\/faq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">within a week of opening<\/a>, while Zoup! asks you to use theirs&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zoupbroth.com\/faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">within two weeks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For me, I wouldn&rsquo;t feel particularly confident leaving a half-open can of chicken broth in the fridge for longer than 4 to 5 days. That&rsquo;s why I recommend freezing any surplus instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(We&rsquo;ll cover freezing in a moment.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, let&rsquo;s talk about homemade chicken broth.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"homemade\">Homemade<\/h3>\n\n\n<p><strong>Use homemade chicken broth within&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/food.unl.edu\/article\/leftover-food-safety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">3 to 4 days<\/a>&nbsp;of cooking and store it in the fridge sealed tightly in an airtight container or lidded pot.<\/strong>&nbsp;Let the broth cool to about room temperature before refrigeration, but limit the cooling period to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ask.usda.gov\/s\/article\/What-is-the-2-Hour-Rule-with-leaving-food-out\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">two hours<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some recipes might say you can store the broth for up to a week, but I recommend sticking with the conservative recommendation of 4 days of storage. You can always freeze it if you need more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That brings us to freezing chicken broth.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth.jpg\" alt=\"Cauliflower soup based on chicken broth\" class=\"wp-image-3933\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-735x490.jpg 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-347x231.jpg 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-520x346.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Cauliflower soup based on chicken broth\" class=\"wp-image-3933 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-500x333.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-735x490.jpg.webp 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-335x223.jpg.webp 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-347x231.jpg.webp 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-520x346.jpg.webp 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth-640x426.jpg.webp 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Cauliflower-soup-based-on-chicken-broth.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption>Cauliflower soup based on chicken broth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-long-is-chicken-broth-good-in-the-freezer\">How Long Is Chicken Broth Good in the Freezer?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Use your frozen chicken broth within two to three months for the best quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chicken broth stays safe indefinitely in the freezer, but its quality gradually degrades, hence the recommendation. If it sits frozen for longer, all you can expect is a slightly worse quality, nothing else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To freeze chicken broth, divide it into portions based on how you&rsquo;re going to use the broth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need small amounts, say to deglaze a pan, freezing the broth using an ice cube tray is a great idea. But if you plan on using it as a base for a soup, a large container or freezer bag are much better options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-paragraph-tip\">If you&rsquo;re using freezer bags for storing liquids, place the bag in a bowl before pouring. That minimizes cleanup if the bag is leaky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last but not least, remember to leave at least half an inch of space for your broth to expand in the freezer.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-tell-if-chicken-broth-is-bad\">How to Tell if Chicken Broth is Bad?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Discard chicken broth if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>It smells off.<\/strong>&nbsp;The most common spoilage sign of chicken broth is a sour or &ldquo;funny&rdquo; smell. Give your broth a good whiff before using, and toss it if it doesn&rsquo;t pass the sniff test.<\/li><li><strong>It&rsquo;s opened longer than suggested.<\/strong>&nbsp;That means tossing a homemade broth if it&rsquo;s more than four days old or getting rid of a store-bought one sitting around for longer than the brand suggests (or 4 to 5 days if you&rsquo;re conservative).<\/li><li><strong>It&rsquo;s unopened, and the container is compromised.<\/strong>&nbsp;If you find that the can is bulging or swelling, toss it. Do the same if the seal on the jar or carton is not intact or the container is leaky.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>(The above works when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/how-long-does-beef-broth-last\/\">checking if your beef broth is bad<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/how-long-does-bone-broth-last\/\">if your bone broth is spoiled<\/a>, too.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice anything else that seems off, err on the side of caution and get rid of the broth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, the off smell will remind you that the broth has been sitting in the fridge for a bit longer than it&rsquo;s supposed to. Whenever I had homemade chicken broth in the refrigerator for longer than five days, it started to smell weird, and that was a clear indicator that it was time to let it go.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whats-okay\">What&rsquo;s Okay<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>With chicken broth (and broth in general), a few things might happen when you refrigerate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, it&rsquo;s completely normal for fat to accumulate on top, especially if the broth is homemade. Some recipes ask you&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.culinaryhill.com\/how-to-make-chicken-broth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">to scrape it off and discard it<\/a>, but you can just as well leave it and use it (that&rsquo;s what I do). It&rsquo;s going to dissolve when you cook it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, broth can get a bit cloudy in storage, and there might be some sediment on the bottom. Both are perfectly normal for homemade broth, but sediment showing up in a store-bought broth (that&rsquo;s usually filtered) is iffy. Read the label to make sure it&rsquo;s expected or not.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface.jpg\" alt=\"Chicken broth: fat on surface\" class=\"wp-image-3934\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-735x490.jpg 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-347x231.jpg 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-520x346.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Chicken broth: fat on surface\" class=\"wp-image-3934 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-500x333.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-735x490.jpg.webp 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-335x223.jpg.webp 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-347x231.jpg.webp 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-520x346.jpg.webp 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface-640x426.jpg.webp 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Chicken-broth-fat-on-surface.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption>Chicken broth: fat on surface after chilling in the fridge<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"does-chicken-broth-need-to-be-refrigerated\">Does Chicken Broth Need to Be Refrigerated?<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>You should store unopened, canned chicken broth in a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.campbells.com\/swanson\/faqs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">cool, dry place<\/a>. Your pantry, basement, or even a kitchen cabinet are all suitable options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Once opened, the chicken broth should be stored in the refrigerator<\/strong>, in a container that&rsquo;s sealed tightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let the broth cool before refrigeration if it&rsquo;s just cooked, and put it in the fridge within two hours of opening or cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(That&rsquo;s often referred to as the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/ask.usda.gov\/s\/article\/What-is-the-2-Hour-Rule-with-leaving-food-out\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2-hour rule<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, it&rsquo;s up to you if you follow the 2-hour rule to a tee, but if you accidentally leave your broth out overnight, discard it. It&rsquo;s not necessarily spoiled, but it&rsquo;s definitely not safe to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, chicken broth can sit out for up to two hours for it to remain safe to eat. That&rsquo;s because bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature, and if the product stays unrefrigerated for longer, bacteria might get to dangerous levels and cause food poisoning.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot.jpg\" alt=\"Storing chicken broth in a lidded pot\" class=\"wp-image-3938\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-735x490.jpg 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-335x223.jpg 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-347x231.jpg 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-520x346.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-640x426.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Storing chicken broth in a lidded pot\" class=\"wp-image-3938 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-500x333.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-768x512.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-735x490.jpg.webp 735w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-335x223.jpg.webp 335w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-347x231.jpg.webp 347w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-520x346.jpg.webp 520w, https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot-640x426.jpg.webp 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 48px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Storing-chicken-broth-in-lidded-pot.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption>Storing chicken broth in a lidded pot<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"chicken-broth-shelf-life-and-spoilage-summary\">Chicken Broth Shelf Life and Spoilage Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Thanks for reading this primer on chicken broth. Here are the takeaways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Unopened chicken broth lasts 6 to 24 months and easily keeps for three months or more beyond the best-by date printed on the label. If the can, jar, or box is bulging, swelling, or the seal isn&rsquo;t intact, toss the broth.<\/li><li>Chicken broth typically lasts 4 to 5 days after opening when refrigerated in an airtight container or lidded pot. Some brands recommend longer storage times, like up to a week or even two weeks, but I suggest sticking to the conservative 4 to 5 days anyway. If you need more time, you can freeze the broth.<\/li><li>The most popular sign of spoilage for chicken broth is an off smell. If yours doesn&rsquo;t pass the sniff test, discard the broth. Likewise, if it sits open in storage for more than 4 to 5 days (or whatever the brand suggests), it&rsquo;s no good.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today we&rsquo;ll cover whether canned chicken broth goes bad, how long it lasts after opening, and how you can tell that yours is spoiled. So &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":369,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false},"categories":[230],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can-300x187.jpg",300,187,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"large":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_trellis_1x1":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_trellis_3x4":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_trellis_3x4_high_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_trellis_3x4_med_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",360,224,false],"mv_trellis_3x4_low_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",240,149,false],"mv_trellis_4x3":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_trellis_16x9":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_trellis_srcset-960":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_trellis_srcset-1080":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"1200x1200":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_create_1x1":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",200,124,false],"mv_create_1x1_medium_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",320,199,false],"mv_create_1x1_medium_high_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",480,299,false],"mv_create_1x1_high_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_create_4x3":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",320,199,false],"mv_create_4x3_medium_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",480,299,false],"mv_create_4x3_high_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_create_3x4":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",240,149,false],"mv_create_3x4_medium_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",360,224,false],"mv_create_3x4_high_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_create_16x9":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",289,180,false],"mv_create_16x9_medium_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",434,270,false],"mv_create_16x9_high_res":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_create_no_ratio":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false],"mv_create_vert":["https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can.jpg",500,311,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Marcin Skrzypiec","author_link":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/about\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Today we&rsquo;ll cover whether canned chicken broth goes bad, how long it lasts after opening, and how you can tell that yours is spoiled. So &hellip;","mv":{"thumbnail_id":369,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/College_Inn_Chicken_Broth_in_a_Can-300x187.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=368"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/368\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.canitgobad.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}