Do Bouillon Cubes Go Bad?
Bouillon cubes do indeed go bad, but this takes a long time to happen. This is because there is no moisture in a stock cube, and there is also quite a lot of salt. This salt acts to preserve it for a lot longer than many other dry goods. So, the chances are, if you have found yourself face to face with an ancient-looking box of bouillon that it will be fine! But there is a limit to this. Below we will explore exactly how long stock cubes will stay good for. We will also discuss the best ways to store them so that they don’t go bad. On top of that, we will also prepare you for the worst by showing you the signs that your bouillon has gone bad. If this is the kind of info you are looking for, you’ve come to the right place!
How Do I Store Bouillon Cubes?
Here is no real trick to storing bouillon cubes, but there are a few pitfalls that need to be avoided. After all, bouillon is pretty hardy, but it is by no means indestructible. The main thing to remember is that they must be kept well away from any sort of moisture. Moisture can ruin bouillon in no time at all. They also don’t deal very well with changes in temperature. And that’s pretty much it! All you need to do is keep it away from these elements and you’re onto a winner. So, the pantry, kitchen cabinet, or even the spice rack will do just fine. Just make sure that it isn’t above the kitchen sink or cooker. If you have already prepared the broth, it must be stored in the fridge. Naturally, it won’t hold its quality anywhere near as long as dehydrated stock will.
Should You Refrigerate Bouillon Cubes?
You should never refrigerate dehydrated stock cubes. Every fridge has moisture circulating around in it which will get into the cube. This will ruin it in a matter of days rather than weeks. This all changes once the stock has been made though. As soon as water hits the bouillon cube, it needs to be stored totally differently. Store it in the same way you would homemade stock. Keep it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It won’t keep for very long, but it will do for a few days.
Can You Freeze Bouillon Cubes?
There is no reason to freeze bouillon cubes whatsoever. It won’t extend its shelf-life. In fact, it might actually cause it to go off quicker. It is easy to think of the freezer as a dry and safe environment for food, but this is not the case. The freezer is full of moisture particles that circulate around and can ruin dry food products. But, there is a way that you can freeze bouillon for later. If you make too much bouillon and want to keep it for later, it can be frozen in the ice cube tray. After the cubes have frozen, you can transfer the cubes into a freezer bag. Then, when you need them, you can just pop one or two into whatever you are cooking. This is incredibly useful for when you have made too much broth and you want to use it in the future.
How Long Do Bouillon Cubes Last?
We have already mentioned that stock cubes, or bouillon cubes, can last for a very long time at room temperature. The best-by date will probably give you anywhere up to two years to use them. But, they can last for even longer than that if they are stored well. So long as no moisture gets near them, we would suggest that they are safe to use up to 3 months past their sell-by date. They won’t have the same strength of flavor, but they probably won’t be bad either. If you are using older stock cubes, it might be a good idea to use 2 rather than 1 cube to make up for the flavor loss. If the bouillon has already been made, it should be kept in the fridge and used within 3 days. This same premade bouillon will be good for up to 6 months in the freezer.
How Do I Make My Bouillon Cubes Last Longer?
Bouillon cubes are really easy to store for a long time. Because of this, there are no great hacks for storing them for longer. Just keep them away from moisture and heat and they should last for the maximum amount of time that is possible.
Signs That Your Bouillon Cubes May Have Gone Off
Bouillon cubes will lose their flavor long before they go off. They are one of those food products that just seem to nearly be able to take care of themselves. That being said, there are still a few things you should be on the lookout for. If the cube feels damp in any way, it needs to be thrown out. It may not have grown mold yet, but it will. White specks on the surface of the cube are also a dead giveaway. As are any signs of even the slightest bit of discoloration. If there is an unfamiliar smell that you wouldn’t associate with bouillon, it should also be thrown out. Every now and then, a bouillon cube will pass these tests and still be gone off. If you are in doubt, you should make a small bit of broth and have a taste.
Well, that’s all we have on bouillon cubes. We hope you found this little guide to be at least somewhat useful for your purposes. Thanks for reading!]]>
