How Long Is Chicken Broth Good For
Chicken broth is the favorite base of any stewed food or meal that requires stock. It is a step above using water, making your food taste better by giving it a savory flavor that you would otherwise not be able to get from using plain water. However, it takes a lot of time to prepare the homemade chicken broth, making a most home-cooks stick to water.
Fortunately, you can be able to make it faster with an instant pot. Or you can buy the ready-made canned chicken broth. That said, the main issue when it comes to chicken broth is safe storage. Chances are you will not be able to use up all your homemade chicken broth in a day. So how long can it last, and how do you prolong its shelf lie?
How can you tell if the chicken broth is spoilt?
Spoilt chicken broth is bound to have a musty smell and a cloudy appearance. Also, be wary of broth that tastes weird and has settled sediment at the bottom of the can. Additionally, the chicken broth is a no go if it has a slimy consistency.
What happens if you eat old chicken broth?
If the chicken broth is contaminated, then you risk getting food poisoning or bacterial infection. It will also ruin your meal and make it taste not very good. However, if the broth does not have a funky smell and you do not think it has gone bad, on account of its expiration date or how long you have had it out, you can still use it.
If your unrefrigerated chicken broth has only been left out overnight to cool after preparation, it may not have had time to develop any bacteria. All you have to do is boil it for ten at least ten minutes, and any bacteria will be killed off. Then you can go ahead and refrigerate it.
Does boiling chicken broth kill bacteria?
Yes. Bacteria cannot survive temperatures above 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Any bacteria, including botulism, can be deactivated by boiling it for at least 10 minutes. However, it is best to be safe than sorry. If you suspect that the broth is contaminated, you would be better off throwing it out than risking getting sick from eating expired chicken broth.
What will make chicken broth go bad faster?
Chicken broth stored at room temperature will go bad in a few days. Additionally, chicken broth with more add-ons has a shorter life span than pure chicken broth. This is because some of the broth ingredients may be prone to faster deterioration, such as bell peppers.
If left unopened, commercial chicken broth that has been packaged in sterile cans and containers can last up to six months. But once opened, its shelf life reduces to roughly five days. The same case applies to home-canned chicken broth.
Some tips/tricks to make it keep for longer
Here are some tips to prolong the life of your chicken broth;
Freezing
Frozen chicken broth can stay fresh for up to six months. Portion the chicken broth into manageable amounts for your different recipes in Ziploc bags and freeze it for use at a later date. You can also freeze mini portions in an ice cube tray and put them in a bag for use in recipes that require very little chicken broth.
Refrigeration
Use this method to keep open chicken broth fresh for a few days if you intend to use it immediately. Try and use it up in two weeks or less to avoid it going bad.
Dehydrate it
This will turn it into chicken broth powder that you can use at will to flavor stewed meals and other recipes that need flavoring.
Concentrate it
the longer you boil your chicken broth, the more concentrated it will become. Then you can freeze the concentrate and use it as chicken bouillon to flavor your meals.
Canning
Canned chicken broth has a longer shelf life, and it does not need refrigeration or freezing to stay fresh. However, it would be best to skim all the fat off as fat reduces canned food’s shelf life. You can let the broth cool down so you can remove the fat once it comes to the top, then proceed to can the broth.
What is the ideal time to consume chicken broth?
As a general rule of thumb, you should consume chicken broth within 14 days of opening. Most manufacturers recommend that you use the chicken broth within 4-5 days of opening it. Also, keep it in your refrigerator as the cold temperature will prevent bacteria’s growth in the broth.
The more organic the chicken broth, the faster it will deteriorate and go bad. Preservatives in the chicken broth will prolong the shelf life and make it last longer. But this may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.