Homemade or opened bone broth generally lasts 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when it is cooled promptly, stored in a clean covered container, and kept at 40°F or below.
Store-bought broth can be different before opening. Shelf-stable cartons or cans can usually remain unopened at room temperature until the date and storage instructions on the package indicate otherwise. Once opened, however, refrigerated storage becomes necessary and the manufacturer’s directions should take priority.
Quick answer: Use homemade or opened bone broth within 3–4 days unless the product label gives a shorter period. Freeze broth you will not use within that window. Do not taste questionable broth to decide whether it is safe.
Bone Broth Storage at a Glance
| Type of Bone Broth | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade bone broth | 3–4 days | About 2–3 months for best quality |
| Opened shelf-stable broth | Follow the label; when no shorter instruction is given, use promptly within the normal leftover/broth window | Can usually be frozen in a freezer-safe container |
| Unopened shelf-stable broth | Refrigeration usually not required before opening; follow package directions | Usually unnecessary |
| Refrigerated broth sold chilled | Follow the use-by date and package instructions | Check the package before freezing |
| Thawed previously frozen broth | Use promptly; follow safe thawing guidance | Refreezing may be possible if it was thawed safely in the refrigerator, though quality can decline |
The time limits above assume proper refrigeration. FDA recommends keeping the refrigerator at 40°F or below and the freezer at 0°F.
How Long Does Homemade Bone Broth Last in the Fridge?
For practical household food safety, treat homemade bone broth like other cooked broths, soups, and leftovers: refrigerate it promptly and plan to use it within 3 to 4 days.
The countdown begins when the broth is cooked and cooled—not when you first remember that it is in the refrigerator.
Several factors can shorten its useful life:
- The broth remained at room temperature too long before refrigeration.
- The refrigerator is warmer than 40°F.
- A dirty utensil was repeatedly dipped into the container.
- The broth was stored uncovered.
- Raw-food juices or contaminated surfaces contacted it.
- The container was opened and closed repeatedly.
If you know you will not finish a batch within three or four days, freezing part of it immediately is usually the better option.
How Long Does Opened Store-Bought Bone Broth Last?
Check the carton, bottle, pouch, or can first. Manufacturers may specify a particular refrigerated storage period after opening, and that product-specific instruction should take priority.
When the package does not provide a longer validated storage instruction, it is sensible to treat opened broth conservatively like other refrigerated broth or leftovers and use it within the normal 3–4 day window.
Do not confuse the printed shelf-life date on an unopened shelf-stable carton with the safe storage period after opening. Opening the package changes the storage conditions.
What About Unopened Bone Broth?
Unopened storage depends on how the product was packaged and sold.
Shelf-Stable Cartons and Cans
These are designed to remain unrefrigerated before opening when stored according to the manufacturer’s directions. Keep them in a cool, dry place and inspect the package before use.
Do not use a package that is leaking, badly swollen, punctured, severely rusted, or damaged around the seal.
Broth Sold From the Refrigerated Section
Products sold chilled should remain refrigerated. Follow the package’s use-by date and instructions rather than applying the shelf-stable rules to them.
How to Cool Bone Broth Safely
A large stockpot can hold heat for a long time, so cooling technique matters.
FDA recommends refrigerating perishable food within two hours of cooking or purchasing—or within one hour when the surrounding temperature is above 90°F. Large amounts of leftovers should be divided into shallow containers so they cool more quickly. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Remove bones and large solids when the recipe is finished.
- Divide a large batch into smaller portions.
- Use shallow, food-safe containers rather than leaving the entire batch in a deep stockpot.
- Place the containers in the refrigerator promptly.
- Avoid stacking hot containers so tightly that cold air cannot move around them.
- Cover and label the broth with the preparation date.
You do not need to leave bone broth on the counter until it reaches room temperature. Doing so can unnecessarily extend the time it spends in conditions favorable to bacterial growth.
Can You Put Hot Bone Broth Straight in the Fridge?
Yes, but a very large volume should be divided into smaller, shallow containers first. This helps the broth cool faster and reduces the amount of heat concentrated in one large vessel.
Avoid placing an enormous, steaming stockpot directly into a crowded refrigerator if doing so would interfere with airflow or warm surrounding foods. Portioning is the better approach.
How to Store Bone Broth in the Refrigerator
Good storage will not extend broth indefinitely, but it can help prevent contamination and preserve quality during the recommended storage period.
- Use clean containers with secure lids.
- Leave enough room for the lid to close correctly.
- Label the preparation or opening date.
- Keep the broth in the main refrigerator compartment rather than an unstable warm location.
- Use clean utensils when removing a portion.
- Return the container to the refrigerator promptly.
- Do not combine an older batch with freshly made broth.
If your refrigerator is crowded or temperatures vary, our refrigerator organization guide can help you preserve airflow and create safer storage zones.
Can You Freeze Bone Broth?
Yes. Bone broth freezes well and freezing is useful when you make more than you can use within a few days.
FDA storage charts list soups and stews at about 2–3 months in the freezer for best quality. Food kept continuously frozen at 0°F remains safe for much longer from a microbial standpoint, but texture, flavor, and aroma can gradually decline. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
How to Freeze It
- Cool the broth promptly.
- Divide it into useful portion sizes.
- Use freezer-safe containers or bags.
- Leave appropriate expansion space in rigid containers.
- Remove excess air from freezer bags.
- Label the contents and freezing date.
- Freeze promptly.
Small portions are useful for sauces, rice, soups, or cooking grains because you can thaw only what you need.
For more foods, see our A-to-Z freezing guide.
Can You Freeze Bone Broth in Glass Jars?
You can use glass only when the container is specifically suitable for freezing. Ordinary jars may crack as liquids expand.
Follow the jar manufacturer’s freezer instructions and leave the required headspace. Wide-mouth freezer-safe containers can be easier to use than narrow jars.
Do not fill a rigid glass container completely to the top.
How to Thaw Frozen Bone Broth
FDA identifies three safe general thawing methods:
- In the refrigerator
- In cold water
- In the microwave
Food thawed using cold water or a microwave should be cooked promptly. Do not thaw bone broth by leaving it on the counter for several hours. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Refrigerator thawing is convenient when you can plan ahead. Place the container on a tray or in a bowl in case condensation or leakage develops.
How Long Does Thawed Bone Broth Last?
Once frozen broth has thawed in the refrigerator, use it promptly rather than treating freezing as a way to restart an entirely new long refrigerated storage period.
If you thaw only the amount needed for one or two meals, there is less chance of repeatedly cooling and reheating the same batch.
How Can You Tell If Bone Broth Has Gone Bad?
Spoilage may produce obvious warning signs, but foodborne pathogens do not always change the smell, taste, or appearance of food.
Discard bone broth if you notice:
- Mold
- Unusual bubbling or gas when the broth is not intentionally fermenting
- A swollen container
- An abnormal sour, rotten, or otherwise unpleasant odor
- Unexpected slime or texture changes
- Visible contamination
- A leaking or badly damaged commercial package
Also discard it when its time or temperature history makes it unsafe, even if it appears normal.
FDA notes that food can cause illness without looking, smelling, or tasting spoiled. Do not taste questionable broth as a safety test. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
What If Bone Broth Was Left Out Overnight?
Discard it.
Perishable foods should generally not remain at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour when the temperature is above 90°F. Overnight is well beyond that limit. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Reboiling broth that has been left out too long is not a reliable way to make it safe again. Some hazards can remain even after reheating.
Does the Fat Layer Make Bone Broth Last Longer?
A solidified fat layer may reduce some exposure to air, but it should not be treated as a food-safety preservation method or used to extend the normal refrigerated storage limit.
Keep the broth refrigerated and follow the same 3–4 day guideline whether you leave the fat cap in place or remove it.
Does Reboiling Bone Broth Reset the Clock?
No. Heating leftovers does not erase their previous time and temperature history.
If broth is approaching the end of its refrigerated storage window, use it or freeze it rather than repeatedly reheating and returning the same batch to the refrigerator.
Bone Broth Storage Timeline Example
If you make bone broth on Sunday evening and cool it promptly:
| Day | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Sunday | Cook, cool promptly, refrigerate, and label |
| Monday | Use normally |
| Tuesday | Use normally |
| Wednesday | Use or freeze remaining broth |
| Thursday | End of the general 3–4 day refrigerated window; discard remaining broth if not safely frozen earlier |
This is a conservative planning example, not a reason to keep broth longer when it has been mishandled or stored too warm.
Bone Broth vs. Stock vs. Regular Broth
The terms bone broth, stock, and broth describe recipes with somewhat different ingredients, cooking times, and culinary uses, but those differences do not justify substantially longer refrigerator storage.
Once cooked and refrigerated, all should be treated as perishable foods.
For broader storage guidance, see our guide to how long common foods last in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does homemade bone broth last in the fridge?
Use homemade bone broth within 3–4 days when it has been cooled promptly and stored at 40°F or below.
How long does bone broth last after opening?
Follow the manufacturer’s after-opening directions when provided. Without a longer validated package instruction, use opened broth promptly and treat it conservatively within the normal refrigerated broth window.
Can bone broth last a week in the refrigerator?
A full week exceeds the USDA 3–4 day refrigerated guidance for broth. Freeze any portion you will not use within several days.
Can I eat bone broth after five days?
Five days is beyond the standard 3–4 day refrigerated recommendation for broth. The safer choice is to discard it rather than relying on smell or reheating.
How long does bone broth last in the freezer?
About 2–3 months is a practical best-quality range based on FDA storage guidance for soups and stews. Food kept continuously frozen at 0°F can remain safe longer, although quality gradually declines.
Can you refreeze bone broth?
Broth thawed safely in the refrigerator may generally be refrozen, although quality can decline. Broth thawed through faster methods should be heated or used promptly according to safe food-handling guidance.
Can you leave bone broth out to cool overnight?
No. Divide the broth into shallow containers and refrigerate promptly. Perishable food should not be left at room temperature overnight.
Can spoiled bone broth be made safe by boiling it?
No. Do not use boiling as a way to rescue broth that has exceeded safe storage conditions or shows signs of spoilage.
Final Takeaway
Bone broth generally lasts 3–4 days in the refrigerator after cooking or opening when stored at 40°F or below.
Cool homemade broth promptly in smaller, shallow containers, label the storage date, and freeze portions you will not use within a few days. For commercially packaged broth, always check the label because storage instructions can vary.
If the broth was left out too long, stored too warm, or has an uncertain history, discard it rather than using smell, taste, or reboiling as a safety test.
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