Condiments, Sauces & Canned Goods
How long does vegetable broth last in the fridge after opening?
An opened carton of vegetable broth holds 3–4 days in the fridge — freeze what’s left in a jar or an ice tray instead of losing most of the box.
How long does it keep?
| Pantry | Package use-by date |
|---|---|
| Fridge | 7 days |
| Fridge, opened | 3–4 days |
| Freezer | 2–3 months |
- Pantry: Bouillon cubes will keep their best quality 1 year. The reconstituted broth lasts 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Can it sit out?
Unopened, vegetable broth is shelf-stable. Once opened, treat it as perishable — the FSIS 2-hour rule applies.
Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).
How to tell if vegetable broth has gone bad
- Cloudiness or fine sediment in a broth that poured clear
- A sour, yeasty smell over the vegetables
- Slick, viscous strands as it pours
- A swollen carton or a domed can lid
When in doubt, throw it out.
Freeze broth in an ice tray and bag the cubes — two cubes is exactly the splash a pan sauce wants.
Quick answers
How long does vegetable broth last in the fridge after opening?
An opened carton of vegetable broth holds 3–4 days in the fridge — freeze what’s left in a jar or an ice tray instead of losing most of the box.
Can you freeze vegetable broth?
USDA’s freezer window for vegetable broth is 2–3 months.
How long can vegetable broth sit out?
Sitting out isn’t the safety question for unopened vegetable broth — once opened, the FSIS 2-hour rule applies. Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).