If you have recently bought some homemade bone broth and have been wondering how long it will last in the fridge, you should know a few things. First, make sure that you have thawed it properly. It should have a gelatinous consistency that makes it look like jelly. That is a good indicator of how well the broth contains gelatin. Next, check the sell-by date.
How Long does Bone Broth Last in the Fridge?
If you make bone broth according to a standard recipe, it will keep for about five days in the refrigerator and up to 12 months in the freezer.
The best-buy date can be extended to 7-8 days in the refrigerator and 24 months in the freezer, though, with a few simple steps.
Signs that your bone broth has reached its sell-by date
If you have bone broth in your fridge and don’t want it to go bad, sell-by are some signs that it is getting close to its sell. You should check it periodically, especially if storing it for more than five days.
Typically, bone broth will have a shelf life of a few months, though some brands will last up to two years. The shelf life will depend on how the broth is packaged, the type of bones used, and how the bone broth is prepared.
While it’s possible to freeze the bone broth, it’s best to keep it in an airtight container in your refrigerator. It’s also recommended to keep it in a glass container. This will prevent it from leaching through the plastic and keep it from being spoiled.
Bone broth can be used for a variety of purposes. You can make it as a base for several meals or add seasonings and vegetables to improve the flavor.
The broth should be thick and jelly-like
It is best to use organic, grass-fed bones when making homemade bone broth. The minerals and collagen found in the bones are wonderful for your body. However, it is also important that the bones are cooked long enough to be gelatinous.
Gelatin is also good for the digestive tract. It binds to the digestive tract water and allows foods to move more easily through the gut.
You can make your bone broth by simmering bones in water for a few hours. After the brake has been simmered, the liquid can be strained and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. A slow cooker, oven, or Instant Pot are great options.
Adding spices to your broth can add flavor. You may also choose to add herbs and vegetables to your broth. These can be cooked with bones to give them a richer flavor.
Gelatinous bone broth is a visual sign that contains gut-healing of gelatin.
This soup has been a popular way to heal people for centuries. Bone broth is full of gut-healing flavor, amino acids, and also. It is also rich in flavor and umami.
The bones are rich in collagen, which supports skin and joint health. This protein helps strengthen fine lines. Additionally, it strengthens the digestive system and helps repair the gut wall. These compounds are incredible for babies developing the digestive tract.
To get a thick, gelatinous would be best if used. It would be best if you used the right bones. Ideally, it would be best if you used bones from pasture-raised animals. Some of the best sources include beef knuckles, pork trotters, and chicken backs.
For the best flavor, it’s important to keep the broth simmering for at least 12 hours. The longer it simmers, the more nutrients you will extract.
Once the bone broth has simmered, you can strain it through a fine sieve. You can transfer it to a container and store it in the refrigerator for three to four days.
Thawing bone broth
When thawing bone broth in the fridge, there are several things you need to consider. Firstly, the quality of the bone broth will change. Secondly, it can make a mess in your refrigerator. Thirdly, you might not get the taste you want to keep bone broth fresh for longer; you will need to use the proper thawing technique.
Bone broth is rich in trace minerals. These trace minerals help strengthen the bones and joints. Also, they are good for your skin and hair.
During the cooking process, glucosamine and chondroitin are released from the connective tissues. Glucosstrengthensnt health, while chondroitin is great for strengthening nails and hair.
Bone broth shoes are stored in an airtight container or bag. You can also freeze bone ice cube trays or freezer-safe jars.
If you refreeze bone broth, it is a good idea to thaw it slowly in the refrigerator. It is not recommended to thaw it in the microwave.
Does Bone Broth go Bad in the Fridge?
In the refrigerator, bone broth might spoil. Therefore, if you have a product that you purchased from a retailer, be sure to read the best buy dates and storage directions. For handmade, I’ll provide detailed advice based on the variations in storage and how you create it.
How to Extend the Shelf Life of Homemade Bone Broth?
1. Fill or Pour Hot
A hot fill method automatically increases shelf life since it decreases your liquid’s time in temperature ranges where germs might grow.
The goal is to keep the temperature between 160 F (72 C) and 39 F (4 C) or at room temperature as little as possible. You can perform a hot fill and then instantly freeze your containers.
- Once the bone broth has been strained (from bones, cartilage, etc.). Reheat it to over 190 F on the stovetop or in the slow cooker (90 Celsius)
- You now pour it right away into your containers. It is advised to use glass or other materials that can withstand extreme temperatures. Plastic should be avoided since heated soup will seep into it. Avoid letting your hands burn.
- Containers should be placed in your freezer to reach 39F or refrigerator temperature fast, then placed in your fridge.
2. Retain the intact and attached beef fat cap
The best airtight container you’ve ever seen is the naturally occurring fat cap that forms when the bone broth cools. This cap is made of beef or fat from fowl. Keep the fat cap on if you used the hot fill method until you were going to consume it.
In addition to adding a few days to the freshness, it also offers vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for health.
3. Include an acid, such as lemon juice
Another all-natural preservative is acid. Add one lemon juice to your broth after straining and flavoring it. The acid will extend the use-by date in the refrigerator to 7-9 days and aid in preventing the growth of bacteria.
If you like, you can also add apple cider vinegar; there is no distinction between the two.
Using these two methods, you can store bone broth for up to 10 days in the refrigerator. I am aware of this since my business, which produces excellent results using the hot fill method, uses it.
Can Expired Bone Broth Make you Sick?
Because it breeds harmful germs, old bone broth can make you sick. You could experience stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Despite not being life-threatening, these will make you miserable for a while.
Even if it’s expired or not, some people who consume it may get adverse responses because less than 1% of people have histamine sensitivity.
I would advise you to throw away your chicken broth as soon as any signs of spoiling appear. Visit a doctor as soon as possible if these symptoms don’t disappear.
How can you Tell if the Bone Broth has Gone Bad?
Bone broth can be visually and olfactorily inspected to determine whether it has gone rotten. It is off if a strange scent comes from the broth or mold grows.
Most of the time, you are still worried despite the absence of these two factors. You should take a little drink and assess the flavor in this situation.
With only a tiny taste, you won’t become ill. Drink it if it tastes delicious. If not, throw it away. We experience a problem with first-time drinkers. They may not be accustomed to the flavor and think it is strange.
Reference: Bone Broth Secret: A Culinary Adventure in Health, Beauty, and Longevity
How to Thaw Frozen Bone Broth?
Before ingestion, the bone broth must be cooked to at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (72 degrees Celsius).
The bone broth should be refrozen overnight to thaw. Afterward, it should be a liquid for you when you’re ready.
Do you currently require it? Using a water bath to thaw frozen bone broth is simple. It should be left in a bowl of cold water for three to four hours. It shouldn’t be microwaved in the original packaging. The reason is that it will contaminate your liquid with the packaging.
Conclusion
Once stored in the refrigerator, most store-bought bone broths last for 4-6 days. Using a handful of the tactics above, you can extend the shelf life of homemade versions to 7-9 days (hot fill, acid, fat cap).
Purchase a high-protein bone broth powder, such as the one produced by Bluebird Provisions, if shelf life is an issue.
Each meal only contains 130 mg of sodium and 12 g of protein. Plus, it has a mouthwatering flavor. It is available online or through Amazon Prime.
Gelatinous bone broth can be refrozen, but you should exercise caution.
