Making homemade chicken broth is as comforting to smell as it is delicious to eat, but how long can you store homemade chicken broth before it needs to be tossed out?
Chicken stock is a must-have in my kitchen and I prefer using homemade over store-bought because: 1) Homemade chicken stock is free. 2) Homemade chicken stock is better for my family.
But, how should you store the chicken stock you have lovingly prepared?
Freezing Homemade Chicken Stock
After I have cooked my stock and removed the fat, I divide the broth into containers of various sizes.
1. Freezing the stock in ice trays is extremely convenient for adding the broth to sauces or other recipes in small amounts and it will thaw quickly. I prefer to freeze the chicken stock in a tray and then pop the cubes out, storing them in a gallon-sized freezer bag.
You can pick up ice cube trays at the Dollar Store or Amazon.
2. Since a lot of recipes call for chicken stock in one cup increments, I always freeze some in one cup containers. Then, I remove the stock from the containers and place them in a freezer bag to conserve space in my freezer. Always remember to label and date the bag.
Prefer glass over plastic? Need one-cup containers that are safe to freeze? Visit Amazon for affordable Pyrex 1-cup bowls with lids.
3. Several of the recipes I prepare regularly, such as the Sausage and Chicken Gumbo, require a significant amount of homemade chicken stock. So, I recycle 32 ounce yogurt containers for freezing stock.
One thing to remember… leftover yogurt containers should not be microwaved and you should allow the stock to thaw in the refrigerator at least enough to remove the stock and place it in a microwave-safe dish before heating.
No yogurt containers? Amazon has 32 ounce plastic containers that are freezer and microwave safe.
How long will chicken stock last in the freezer
In an air-tight container, your homemade chicken stock should last for 6 months in the back of a refrigerator freezer or up to 12 months in a deep freezer. After that, it will begin to lose its flavor but does not pose a health-risk.
Storing homemade chicken stock in the refrigerator
When I make a fresh batch of chicken stock, I keep one 32 ounce container in the refrigerator.
If you have thoroughly strained the stock to remove all solids, the broth should remain good in your refrigerator for about a week although I try to use it within 4 days.
That is a really good idea to store in 1 cup increments for recipes. I’ve done the ice cube tray and sometimes I just pour into a quart sized freezer bag. I wait until it has cooled before I pour into the freezer bag.
Oh, Tracy! I needed you about three hours ago. I was trying to find containers for my most recent batch of chicken stock and could not figure out where to put it all. LOL Thank you so much for this idea. I am sure it will help me in the future.
I like to put a quart or gallon size Ziploc bag in a pyrex measuring cup and measure out the cup increments that I want to store in the freezer. Then I take big bag out of the measuring cup and laid it on a baking sheet flat. I stick that in the freezer and let it become solid. Then voilà even more storage space!
Store in freezer safe glass Ball jars!
Great idea, Arlene!
Check these out ladies!
https://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Extreme-Containers-32-Ounce-24-Pack/dp/B00N2TADOY/ref=pd_lpo_79_tr_t_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NY23XSKVBSCDDEZ5HK9X
Everyone seems to say throw away the fat, the fat is the key to storing safely for longer. When stock is ready, strain it, return to simmer 20 minutes longer. Use pyrex jars, any sizes, and fill them immediately and allow to cool before putting in fridge. A disc of fat should form on top and the stock below that disc will stay good for weeks until the disc is broached. If you insist on throwing the fat away it can be discarded just before using the stock, but now that fat is approved of again for health, and actually protects and lubricates the body, enjoy that too. I don’t have a fridge so use this method to keep stock and have used it many weeks old, with no ill effects.