Bone broth lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer when it is cooled quickly and sealed in an airtight container. Homemade and store-bought broth follow the same rule once opened: keep the fridge at or below 40°F (4°C), refrigerate within two hours of cooking, and throw the broth out if it smells sour, grows mold, turns cloudy or slimy, or has simply been stored too long. This guide gives exact fridge and freezer timelines for homemade, store-bought, chicken, and beef bone broth, plus how to store, freeze, thaw, and reheat it safely, and how to tell the moment it has gone bad. For steady cold storage at or below 40°F (4°C), explore refrigerator options.
How Long Does Bone Broth Last in the Fridge?
Once cooled and sealed, bone broth keeps in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. That window is the safe span for homemade broth and for store-bought broth after the carton is opened. Refrigerate the broth within two hours of cooking, and store it in smaller containers so it cools faster and spends less time in the temperature range where bacteria multiply.
To reheat, warm the broth on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a gentle simmer and is steaming hot throughout. A gentle simmer, rather than a hard, rolling boil, preserves the flavor and the nutrients. If you are reheating broth that was frozen, or you have any doubt about its freshness, bring it all the way to a full rolling boil to be safe. Avoid reheating in the microwave when you can, since it heats unevenly.
Once thawed, use bone broth within 1 to 2 days and do not refreeze it. Thawing and refreezing degrades both texture and safety, so thaw only what you plan to use — portioning the broth into small containers before it goes into the freezer makes that easy, since you defrost one portion at a time and leave the rest frozen.
Freezing itself does not meaningfully destroy the nutrients in bone broth — they survive the freezer. The bigger risk to nutrition is a long, hard boil during reheating, which is why a gentle simmer is the everyday goal. For a related timeline, see how long does homemade soup last in the fridge?
Ways to Use Bone Broth
Thawed or fresh, bone broth is endlessly versatile. The most common uses:
- Soups and stews: Use it as a flavorful, nutrient-rich base in place of water or stock.
- Sauces and gravies: Stir it in for extra richness and body.
- Cooking grains: Simmer rice, quinoa, barley, or risotto in broth instead of water for deeper flavor.
- Braising liquid: Braise meats and vegetables in broth to tenderize them and infuse flavor.
For something different, try it in less obvious ways: sip a warm mug of broth on its own, blend a little into a savory smoothie, freeze it into savory broth popsicles, or stir it into a light herb-and-vegetable soup with a squeeze of lemon. However you use it, check for spoilage first and discard any broth you are unsure about. For more ideas, see how long does spinach last in fridge?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does bone broth go bad?
Yes. Like any perishable food, bone broth spoils. In the fridge it stays good for 3 to 4 days; in the freezer it keeps its best quality for up to 6 months. Discard it whenever it smells sour, grows mold, turns cloudy or slimy, or tastes off.
How long does bone broth last in the fridge?
About 3 to 4 days when cooled quickly and stored in an airtight container at or below 40°F (4°C). This applies to homemade broth and to store-bought broth once it has been opened.
How long does store-bought bone broth last?
Unopened, it lasts until the printed best-by or use-by date on the carton. Once opened, use it within 3 to 4 days, just like homemade broth.
How do you know if bone broth has gone bad?
Look for a sour or off smell, mold, a shift in color toward gray or green, heavy cloudiness, a slimy texture, or an off taste. Any one of these means it should go in the trash.
How long does bone broth last in the freezer?
Frozen at 0°F (-18°C) in an airtight, freezer-safe container, bone broth keeps its best quality for up to 6 months. Vacuum-sealing can preserve quality longer, but 6 months is the reliable window before flavor and texture start to decline.
Does freezing bone broth kill its nutrients?
No. Freezing preserves the broth's nutrients. To keep the most nutrition, thaw the broth gently and reheat it to a simmer rather than a prolonged hard boil.
Should bone broth be refrigerated?
Yes. Refrigerate homemade broth within two hours of cooking, and refrigerate store-bought broth once it is opened. Keeping it cold below 40°F (4°C) is what prevents bacterial growth.
How long can bone broth be left out?
No more than two hours at room temperature. Refrigerate it within two hours of cooking; beyond that window bacteria multiply to unsafe levels and the broth should be discarded.
Can you re-freeze bone broth?
It is best not to. Bone broth should not be refrozen, because thawing and refreezing degrades its texture and can compromise safety. Freeze it in small, recipe-sized portions so you only ever thaw the amount you need and leave the rest frozen.
Is chicken bone broth different from beef bone broth?
No — chicken and beef bone broths both follow the same storage timelines: 3 to 4 days in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer. Labeling each container with the type and date makes them easy to tell apart.
For more on the shelf life of other foods, see how long does birthday cake last in the fridge? and how long do macarons last in the fridge?
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