How Long Does Swanson Beef Broth Last in the Fridge? Answers to Your Questions on Shelf Life

We’ve all been there – you bought a carton of Swanson beef broth to use in a recipe, but didn’t end up needing all of it. Now the leftover broth is sitting in your fridge and you’re wondering, how long does an open carton of beef broth last? Can I still use this or do I need to throw it out?

I’ve wondered the same thing many times! Beef broth can seem like a mystery when it comes to expiration dates and how long it actually stays fresh and safe to consume.

In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the shelf life of Swanson beef broth once it’s opened, how to tell if it’s gone bad, how to store it to maximize freshness, and more. Let’s dive in!

How Long Does Opened Swanson Beef Broth Last in the Fridge?

First things first – how long is that open carton of beef broth still good for? Here are the general guidelines:

• Unopened – Swanson beef broth will stay fresh unopened at room temperature for about 2 years. The expiration date on the unopened carton is a good indicator

• Opened – An opened carton of Swanson beef broth will last about 5-7 days in the fridge before it starts to go bad,

So you have about a week to use up that leftover broth once you open it. But what are the signs that your beef broth has reached the end of its prime?

How to Tell If Opened Swanson Beef Broth Has Gone Bad

Beef broth, even when refrigerated, does eventually spoil. Here are a few ways to know if your opened Swanson beef broth has gone bad:

• Change in color – Fresh beef broth is dark brown. If it starts turning gray or develops a red/pink hue, it’s time to throw it out.

• Sliminess – Slime formation, especially around the inner cap area, signals spoilage.

• Mold – This one is obvious – mold or fuzz of any kind means your broth has spoiled.

• Off smell – Your nose knows! If you sniff the beef broth and detect a sour or off odor, don’t use it.

• Change in consistency – Beef broth should have a thin, liquid consistency. If it becomes thick and gloopy, it has likely gone bad.

• Expired date – Check the date on your Swanson carton. If it has passed the 5-7 day opened shelf life, toss it.

Trust your senses – if anything seems off with the look, smell, or texture of your beef broth, it’s not worth taking any risks. Play it safe and throw away beef broth that shows signs of spoilage.

Tips to Extend the Shelf Life of Open Swanson Beef Broth

If you’ve opened a carton of Swanson beef broth but don’t think you’ll use it all within 5-7 days, there are some storage hacks you can try to extend the shelf life:

• Transfer to airtight containers – Pour your opened broth into very clean, airtight glass jars or containers. This prevents air exposure which can degrade the broth faster.

• Portion into ice cube trays – Freeze your broth in ice cube trays, then store the frozen cubes in bags. Drop a cube into cooking as needed.

• Keep broth super cold – Store opened cartons of broth on the lowest shelf area of your fridge, where temps are coldest.

• Bring to a boil after opening – Boiling your broth for a couple minutes right after opening can help kill any bacteria. Let cool and refrigerate.

• Use clean utensils – Never dip dirty spoons back into your broth – bacteria transfer can contaminate it.

• Watch for excessive evaporation – Leftover broth shouldn’t be stored for months. Discard if it seems overly evaporated or condensed.

Following strict temperature control, avoiding cross-contamination, and keeping air exposure to a minimum will help your opened Swanson beef broth maintain quality and freshness for as long as possible.

Does Swanson Beef Broth Go Bad If Never Opened?

Unopened Swanson beef broth has an exceptionally long shelf life of about 2 years or more past the “best by” date stamped on the packaging.

As long as the unopened cartons have been stored properly in a cool, dry pantry, the broth inside should stay safe and retain quality for several years in storage.

However, very prolonged storage time can negatively affect the flavor, even if the broth hasn’t “gone bad” from a food safety standpoint. For peak flavor and performance, try to use Swanson beef broth within a couple years of purchase.

And there you have it! With proper, refrigerated storage, an opened carton of Swanson beef broth will stay fresh for 5 to 7 days. Follow the trusted sniff test and discard if you notice any signs of spoilage.

With air-tight storage and freezing, you may be able to safely extend the shelf life of your leftover broth by a few more days. But when in doubt, remember it’s not worth taking chances with your health over some broth! A fresh new carton from the grocery store is an inexpensive replacement.