Do Bouillon Cubes Go Bad?: When you don’t have enough time to create chicken stock, bouillon cubes are a quick and simple alternative. They come in packets, and all you have to do to obtain the most taste is drop one into boiling water.
The bouillon cubes, however, have been waiting in your pantry for a while. Are they out of date? Find out if bouillon cubes spoil in the next paragraphs and how to check if they’re still edible.
- Can Bouillon Cubes Go Bad?
- How Long Do Bouillon Cubes Last?
- How To Tell If Bouillon Cube Is Bad?
- How To Store Bouillon Cubes?
- What Happens If You Consume Expired Bouillon Cubes?
- Can you freeze bouillon cubes?
- What happens if you eat expired bouillon cubes?
- How can you store bouillon cubes?
Can Bouillon Cubes Go Bad?
No, Bouillon cubes don’t spoil the same way other meals do, regardless of what they are composed of. There is normally someplace on the box where the expiration date appears, although it is frequently safe to consume for at least one to two years beyond that.
Your cubes will likely be paler after two years, so the only difference you could notice is a color shift. Is it still safe to consume them? Yes, most likely, but you need to first carefully investigate.
How Long Do Bouillon Cubes Last?
Bouillon cubes’ primary function is to improve the flavor of whatever you’re cooking. Essentially, it is basically a cube of dried beef and seasonings. It may last for a very long period, much like the majority of dehydrated meals. Since 95–97% of the moisture is removed during manufacture, it is very difficult for the ingredients to spoil. Bouillon cubes can continue to be used for several years beyond their best-by date if properly preserved.
This is primarily due to their dehydration, but it’s also because of how much salt they have. The majority of cubes are further wrapped in a foil sheet to shield them from the elements.
| Type | Pantry | Shelf Life In The Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Regular – unopened, opened | 2 years | 6 months |
| Homemade – frozen | 6 months | 1 year |
| Homemade – fresh | 5 days |
But it all comes down to the product and how you keep it. If you open the foil package on certain cubes, for instance, they may be intended to be kept in the refrigerator, but even in this situation, you still have plenty of time to utilize it. You should also take into account the fact that an unopened pack may last longer than one that has been opened.
The expiration date is rather lengthy, as you can see if you check it. After the date is printed on the packaging, you often have many months to get through the pack.
How To Tell If Bouillon Cube Is Bad?
As we previously said, bouillon cubes can continue to be used much after their expiration date. That does not exclude them from going bad, though. Several factors, including storage, exposure to air and moisture, and whether you’ve previously opened the packaging, can affect how long they’ll last.
If your pantry has dampness, mildew, or vermin, it might spoil very rapidly. They will start to degrade considerably faster as a result. Examining the cubes is the best approach to determine if you can still utilize them. The three primary methods are as follows:
Aroma: The aroma of meat, vegetables, and spice may be detected in bouillon cubes. Any alteration to that fragrance might be a sign that anything is amiss with your cube. The same is true if you are unable to detect any aroma because this typically indicates that the food is too old and flavorless. The entire item should be thrown away if it has a moldy odor since it is probably not safe to consume.
Flavor: It could be a little difficult to taste the food before making the bouillon. In order to test the flavor before using it in your dish, you may use one of them in a cup of boiling water if you have a few. You should probably purchase a fresh pack if you find the flavor to be odd in any way. If you find the flavor isn’t as strong as it should be, add more cubes to your recipe.
Look for Mold: Mold is usually always a reliable sign that there is a problem with your food. You don’t want to get the bacteria that are growing on the cube into your body. Even if the mold growth is hidden from view, you’ll probably be able to smell it. You ought to discard these.
How To Store Bouillon Cubes?
Any food should always be stored properly, and bouillon cubes are no exception. As we mentioned, they may survive for a very long period, but how you keep them can greatly affect how long they last. Because store-bought bouillon contains plenty of salt and certain preservatives, it doesn’t spoil as rapidly. However, food that is produced at home spoils more quickly.
The type you have on hand will determine how you keep them. It also depends on if the foil wrapper was opened or not. Here are some suggestions to aid you:
Airtight Container
Typically, air, moisture, and light are what make food spoil rapidly. Your cubes will last longer if you keep them away from all of the stuff. Due to the lack of preservatives in handmade bouillon cubes, this is often only the case.
Make certain to use an airtight container and to provide some room between each cube. Between many stacks, you may place some parchment paper as a partition. If you haven’t cracked open the original packing, store-bought cubes don’t need to be placed in an airtight container. It’s best to store the remaining food in an airtight container after removing the foil.
A Cool and Dry Place
Market cubes don’t need to be kept in a refrigerator, as we previously stated. Instead, as long as it’s cold, dark, and dry, you may keep them in your pantry.
You should do all in your power to prevent mold and microscopic spores from growing on them by not exposing them to any moisture or air. If your pantry isn’t as chilly and dark as you’d want, you may still keep cubes inside, but in an airtight bag or container.
Refrigerator
- The safest method to store your cubes is often in the refrigerator, especially if you produced them yourself. When kept in a refrigerator, homemade bouillon can last up to five days.
- As we previously stated, you must always store them in sealed containers. If you haven’t opened store-bought cubes, you don’t need to keep them in the fridge.
- Regardless of whether you use store-bought or homemade bouillon, a stock you created from rehydrated cubes may be stored in the refrigerator for approximately five days.
- These are quite simple to store, but once again, consider a few factors before choosing how you’ll keep them safe. Have you cracked open the original box? Are the cubes you’re keeping store-bought or homemade?
- Additionally, see if there are any directions on how to keep it on the packaging. Manufacturers may specify where and how long you can store the cubes before discarding them.
- It’s up to you whether you decide to discard them or keep utilizing them. If properly preserved and free of any mold spores, they are often safe to use.
Read More:
What Happens If You Consume Expired Bouillon Cubes?
Store-bought bouillon cubes can’t actually spoil, as was previously indicated. It’s possible that the color and flavor of your food have changed, but it’s doubtful that this poses harm to your health. Nevertheless, you should use caution while using any outdated food, even bouillon cubes. As we previously said, you should examine the taste, smell, and color before utilizing them.
A stale bouillon cube is the only thing that really endangers your health. Mold contains a lot of microorganisms that your stomach finds difficult to digest, which might make you unwell for many days. Compared to store-bought cubes, homemade cubes might spoil far more quickly. If you consume them past their expiration date, you’ll probably feel unwell and vomit.
FAQs On Do Bouillon Cubes Go Bad
1. Can you freeze bouillon cubes?
Yes, Bouillon cubes can be frozen, although it’s not necessary. Market cubes are constructed of dried products and are preserved by adding a lot of salt and preservatives. Since they already have a lengthy shelf life, freezing them won’t improve their freshness.
2. What happens if you eat expired bouillon cubes?
If you consume bouillon cubes past their expiration date, you’ll probably feel unwell and vomit.
3. How can you store bouillon cubes?
Store Bouillon Cubes in an airtight container and leave enough space between each cube.
Summary
Bouillon cubes are practical and adaptable, adding flavor to a variety of dishes. Best of all, whether they are made of chicken, veggies, or fish, they may last for a very long time and are simple to store. Once more, make sure there are no mold spores on the cube before eating it. A packed cube may often be used for at least two years if it is kept in a cold, dry, and dark location. Keep in touch with us to avail latest updates on Nori Go Bad and many other condiments in no time.