What happens if you eat expired chicken broth?
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Chicken broth is such an easy ingredient that you might take for granted how long it will keep in your pantry. Then there is the question of what happens if you eat the expired chicken broth. This comprehensive guide will help you if you are here to learn more about storage, preservation, and freezing chicken broth. Not just chicken broth! Find more on how to store food.
Store-bought chicken broth does not go bad quickly, and homemade chicken broth can last slightly longer if it has high-fat content. With low-fat content, it can spoil quickly.
Do not consume expired chicken broth with signs of spoilage. Active bacteria in expired chicken broth can be killed by heating the stock for one minute at 150°F or higher. However, heating contaminated stock up to the serving temperature before eating will not kill its active bacteria or toxins and can make people sick.
Chicken broth canned or bottled will last at least six more months after the printed date. The same does not work with homemade chicken broth. Make sure to check for the signs of spoilage in chicken broth before you use it, as consumption of spoilt chicken broth can cause botulism.
Shelf Life Of Chicken Broth – Does chicken broth go bad?
Store-bought chicken broth can go bad even though it has a long shelf life. Chicken broth sold in commercial quantities is packed in sterilized containers. If properly stored, it can last for up to a year after the printed date. The same shelf life applies to chicken broth packed in cans.
Discard chicken stock that has been stored in the fridge for more than a week or is past its expiration date. It’s not necessarily spoilt, but it’s no safer to eat. That’s enough to make it go down the toilet. The section on shelf life provides detailed information on the shelf life of chicken stock after “expiration”.
The Container Test
- You should throw out any cans or other metal containers that are leaking, rusting, or swelling.
- These are not indications that the chicken broth is unsafe, but they do indicate potential danger. It’s not worth getting sick if you ignore obvious signs that something is bad with the broth.
Appearance
- After being refrigerated for at least a day, chicken broth, especially homemade, will form a thick layer on top of it. The fat should be creamy and free from any mold or discoloration.
- You should discard any strange or unusual appearance on the surface of the fat and broth. It is not a good idea to take out the “spoiled” fat and use the rest.
- Unless the label states otherwise, the store-bought broth should have no sediment and be clear. However, homemade chicken broth may be cloudy or have a lot of sediment if it is not strained.
- Sometimes the broth can thicken upon cooling and turn jello-like. This happens only with homemade chicken bone broth. It’s a good thing.
The Smell Test
- It’s time to get rid of chicken stock that smells off, funny, or sour.
- The most obvious sign of spoiled chicken soup is the off-odor. If you notice an aroma change, flush it down the toilet.
- If everything seems fine up until now, it’s time for you to try it.
The Taste Test
- This one is simple: You can taste a small amount of the broth and decide whether it is good enough.
- It will smell good 95 percent of the time. If it has bad taste, throw it out.
Storage Techniques And Tips For Chicken Broth – How to store chicken broth?
Chicken broths that are purchased in stores usually last at least one year from the date of production. However, once you open the can, you only have a few days. You can freeze the leftovers if you have more than this.
Although chicken broth can be stored for a very long time, it won’t keep its value forever. It becomes unsafe to eat once it is opened. These are some things to consider when checking whether your chicken stock is safe to use. Here are some storage techniques and tips to store chicken broth for longer shelf life.
Unopened Chicken Broth
- You should keep unopened and sealed chicken broth in a dry, cool place. You can store it in your pantry, basement, or kitchen cabinets.
- The chicken broth should be kept in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container. You should transfer any broth that was previously canned to another container.
Homemade Chicken Broth In The Fridge
- Let the homemade broth cool completely before you transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
- Chicken broth made at home can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. The store-bought chicken broth will keep the same amount of time after being opened.
- It is also recommended for all leftovers that need refrigeration.
- Chicken broth made at home can be kept for up to five days. It can start to smell foul after the sixth day. This is a sign that it’s not safe to use.
Freezing Chicken Broth
- To keep chicken broth for longer periods of time, it can be frozen. You can freeze chicken broth in an airtight, freezer-safe container.
- To make it easier to thaw, freeze the chicken broth first in an ice tray. Then transfer the frozen cubes into a sealed container. Add an extra flavor: you can add a few cubes to rice or other grains that are being cooked on the stovetop.
- Although chicken broth can be stored in the freezer for a long time, it will eventually start to lose its quality. Over time, the broth may develop unusual flavors.
Chicken broth frozen will last a maximum of six months ensuring the highest quality. You can either freeze the broth in a container and then heat it on the stove or transfer it to the fridge overnight to thaw.
Signs Of Spoilage For Chicken Broth – How to tell if chicken broth is bad?
- If broth is deteriorating, visual signs can be a great way to check. Any signs of mold (either greenish or white) indicate that broth is definitely bad and should be thrown out.
- As more solid ingredients are present, mold is more common in homemade broths. It is possible for broth to become cloudy or have bits of sediment, which can indicate that it has spoiled and should be avoided.
- Another indicator that chicken broth is bad is the smell. It is best to stop eating the broth if it smells sour or unpleasant.
- It doesn’t matter if the broth was opened previously. If the container bulges or is swelling, it is an indication that the broth is unsafe to eat.
