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.
Store-bought bone broth behaves a little differently before it is opened. An unopened, shelf-stable or refrigerated carton stays good until the printed best-by or use-by date; once you break the seal, treat it exactly like homemade broth and finish it within 3 to 4 days.
| Bone Broth | Refrigerator Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Homemade (cooled and sealed) | 3-4 days |
| Store-bought, opened | 3-4 days |
| Store-bought, unopened | Until the printed best-by date |
| Left at room temperature | Discard after 2 hours |
Chicken and beef bone broths both keep for the same length of time — the type of bone does not change the timeline, only how you store it. If you cannot use your broth inside the fridge window, freeze it for longer-term storage. For a comparison of how other foods fare in the fridge, explore Fridge.com guides on how long do raspberries last in the fridge? or how long does surinam cherry juice last in the fridge?
What Affects Bone Broth's Shelf Life
Several factors decide how long your bone broth stays fresh in the fridge:
- Temperature: Set your refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) to slow the growth of harmful bacteria. Steady, cold temperatures matter more than any other single factor.
- Exposure to air: Oxygen accelerates spoilage, so store broth in airtight containers — sealed glass jars or BPA-free plastic tubs both work well.
- Ingredients: Broth loaded with vegetables, herbs, and spices can spoil faster than a plain bone-and-water broth, because those extras add their own perishable matter.
- Preparation and straining: Straining homemade broth well leaves a clearer liquid that keeps longer than a broth left full of meat scraps and sediment. A slow, thorough simmer also helps.
- Acidity: The pH of the broth affects its longevity, with more acidic broths sometimes lasting a little longer.
- Cleanliness: Clean utensils, containers, and hands prevent the cross-contamination that shortens shelf life.
Signs Bone Broth Has Gone Bad
Because spoilage can happen through improper storage, fluctuating fridge temperatures, or simply age, it pays to know the warning signs before you take a sip:
- Off or sour smell: An unpleasant, rancid, or sour aroma is the clearest sign the broth has turned.
- Discoloration or heavy cloudiness: Some fat separation is normal, but golden broth that shifts toward gray or green, or turns fully murky rather than lightly hazy, should be tossed.
- Mold growth: Any fuzzy spots or film on the surface mean the whole batch goes in the trash.
- Slimy or tacky texture: If the broth feels slimy after stirring, discard it.
- Altered taste: A sour or otherwise off flavor is your final signal to throw it out.
When in doubt, throw it out — consuming spoiled broth can cause foodborne illness, and no batch is worth the risk. For more on keeping other foods fresh, see Fridge.com articles on how long does crab last in the fridge? and how long do strawberries last in the fridge?
How to Store Bone Broth Properly
Cool the broth quickly and seal it well, and it will hold its flavor and nutrition through the full fridge window. Follow these steps:
- Cool the broth fast — set the pot in a sink or bowl of ice water, or an ice bath, to bring it down out of the danger zone before refrigerating.
- Pour it into airtight containers, leaving a little headspace at the top.
- Seal tightly and label each container with the date it was made.
- Store it in the coldest part of the fridge, not in the door, where the temperature swings.
A few extra habits stretch that freshness further:
- Portion it: Divide the broth into smaller containers so it cools faster and you thaw only what you need.
- Rotate stock: Use the oldest broth first — first in, first out.
- Smell test: Give it a quick sniff before every use.
Freezing Bone Broth
Freezing is the best way to keep bone broth well beyond the fridge window, and it holds the flavor and nutrition surprisingly well. For best quality, keep your freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below and use the broth within 6 months. Broth in a vacuum-sealed or well-sealed airtight container can stay safe and good-quality longer, but 6 months is the reliable window before texture and flavor start to fade.
- Cool the broth to room temperature first — an ice bath speeds this up and keeps ice crystals from forming.
- Skim off excess fat from the surface if you like; this improves the texture and flavor when the broth is reheated.
- Portion the broth to match how you cook, so you defrost only what a recipe calls for.
- Pour it into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of headspace for expansion, then seal tightly with as little trapped air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label every container with the date so you use the oldest broth first.
| Freezer Packaging | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer-safe containers / mason jars | Reusable, airtight, easy to label; leave headspace so jars don't crack | Take up more space |
| Heavy-duty freezer bags | Lay flat and stack to save space; easy to portion | Can puncture if handled roughly |
| Silicone or ice cube trays | Small, recipe-ready portions; transfer cubes to a bag once frozen | Need a second step to bag them |
| Storage Method | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 3-4 days |
| Freezer (best quality) | Up to 6 months |
Thawing, Reheating, and Re-Freezing Bone Broth
How you thaw frozen bone broth matters as much as how you froze it. Choose one of these safe methods:
- Refrigerator thawing: Move the frozen broth to the fridge and let it thaw slowly, roughly overnight to a full day depending on the volume. This is the safest method and best for flavor.
- Cold water thawing: Submerge the sealed container or bag in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. It is faster than the fridge but still safe. Never use hot water, which invites bacterial growth.
- Microwave thawing: Use the defrost setting as a last resort, stirring occasionally so it thaws evenly, and use the broth right away.
| Thawing Method | Approximate Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Overnight to 24 hours | Best for flavor and safety |
| Cold water | 1-2 hours | Change the water every 30 minutes |
| Microwave | 5-10 minutes (defrost) | Use immediately; watch for hot spots |
| Room temperature / hot water | Not recommended | Promotes bacterial growth |
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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