ᐅ 2 Ways to Store Broth (Meat, Chicken, Vegetables) •【 2024 】

What do you get when boiling meats, fish, or vegetables for a while? You are right! The answer is broth, used to season different foods or base for soups, but do you know how to preserve broth?

It would be best if you preserved the broth in the cold. Therefore, You can store it in the fridge in good conditions for 3 or 4 days or opt for long-term storage freezing the broth to last 2 or 3 months.

If you would like to know the right way to store any type of broth you prepare, just read on.

Ways to store homemade broth

Don’t throw away the water if you cook any chicken, beef, fish, or vegetables! Since that water is a broth, let it serve to improve the flavor of different recipes.

It is possible to store the broth in the fridge or freezer, and we will explain step by step how to keep it in any case.

Keep the homemade broth in the fridge

If you plan to use the broth soon or over a few days, you can store it in the fridge. To do this, follow the following indications:

Step 1: Wait for the broth to cool completely.

After turning off the heat, leave the broth in the pot until it cools.

Step 2: Pour the contents into an airtight container.

The recommendation is to use glass containers since these preserve the properties of the broth better. However, a plastic one is useful too.

Step 3: Store the broth in the fridge.

Place the container at the bottom of the refrigerator, which is the coldest area and more stable. Chicken or vegetable broth can be in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

On the other side, You can only keep beef or fish broth in good condition inside the fridge for 1 or 2 days. [1]

How to freeze the homemade broth

Can the broth be frozen? Of course, the broth freezes very well. It is not advisable to use glass containers unless they are suitable for the freezer. The liquid expands and may break the jar.

Keep in mind to separate the broth into small portions if you have a large quantity before freezing to thaw just the necessary amount.

The broth can be frozen as follows:

Step 1: Wait for the broth to cool.

Please leave it in the pot until it reaches room temperature.

Step 2: Pour the contents into a container suitable for freezing.

Here you can use several options: pour the broth into an airtight container (glass or plastic) or an ice tray.

In the case of the container, you have to pour the contents without filling entirely so that there is room for the broth to expand and then cover.

If you want to use an ice tray, there is an additional step.

Step 2.1: Perform first freezing.

Fill the ice tray with broth and place it in the freezer for a few hours until it is hard. Don’t worry if you don’t fill every space; it doesn’t matter.

Step 2.2: Place inside a freezer bag.

After the cubes are frozen, place them in a plastic bag, removing as much air as possible.

Step 3: Tag.

As we always say, it is essential to label the container with the current date to control the storage time.

Step 4: Save to the freezer.

After following all these tips, the broth can last 2 or 3 months frozen. [2]

You can refrigerate thawed broth for up to 3 days, but only one day if it is meat or fish broth. But if you use a microwave to soften it, you should consume it immediately.

Store canned broth

When you get a canned broth in the supermarket, you may know it’s pretty different in terms of storage due to artificial conservatives.

The canned broth lasts quite a while if kept sealed. It can be left in the cupboard or pantry at room temperature for three years or until expiration.

As soon as you open the canned broth, it would be best to store it as homemade. Therefore, in the fridge for 4 or 5 days, frozen for about 4 or 6 months.

How do you know if the broth spoiled?

It is undoubtedly bad if the broth exudes a pungent stench, like a rotten egg, and you shouldn’t eat it.

Another way to determine if the broth is in poor condition is to try it. If it has a rancid or sour taste, you have to throw it away.

Another point to take into account is the tonality of the broth. If it changes color, or if there is mold in the container, store it in the trash can.

Mold appears when food is decomposed and therefore full of bacteria harmful to the body.

How long does a broth last?

Homemade broth does not have an excessively long lifespan compared to the canned or commercial broth. Here I will summarize the time of conservation of the broth.

Product	Duration
Refrigerated homemade broth	Meat or fish broth: 1 – 2 days Chicken or vegetable broth: 3 – 4 days
Frozen homemade broth	2 – 3 months
Canned broth sealed at room temperature	Until the expiration date
Chilled open canned broth	4 – 5 days
Frozen open canned broth	4 – 6 months

What is the best way to preserve a broth?

The broth keeps well in both the fridge and freezer, so the best way to store it will depend on when you plan to use it.

If you plan to use the broth in a few days, it is best to store it in the fridge.

But if you want to stock up on broth for a good season, then freezing the broth is the most convenient.

Commercial broth, whether canned or packaged, has a much longer shelf life than homemade due to the preservatives and that the product is vacuum-sealed.

If you are interested in this kind of content, this site has many topics on food preservation.