How Long Can You Keep Swanson Chicken Broth After the Expiration Date?

Chicken broth is one of those essential pantry staples that most home cooks like to keep on hand It’s useful for everything from making soup to cooking grains and braising meats Having a few boxes or cans of chicken broth ready to go can make weeknight dinner preparation so much easier,

But sometimes that box or can of chicken broth gets pushed to the back of the pantry forgotten about until you discover it months later and wonder – is this still safe to use? Should I toss it or keep cooking with it?

If it’s unopened Swanson chicken broth, the answer is you can likely keep using it for up to one year past the printed expiration date Here’s what you need to know about how to tell if your chicken broth is still fresh and safe to use.

What is the Shelf Life of Unopened Swanson Chicken Broth?

Swanson chicken broth and other boxed broth products are processed in a way that allows them to keep for a long time, as long as they remain properly sealed.

An unopened box of Swanson chicken broth has a shelf life of:

• Pantry: 1 year past printed date
• Fridge: 1-2 years past printed date

The printed expiration date on the Swanson chicken broth box is simply the “best by” date – the date by which Swanson guarantees the broth will be at peak quality and flavor.

So while the taste and texture may start to degrade after that date, the broth is still considered shelf-stable and safe to consume for a long time after.

As long as the carton or can is not opened, punctured or damaged, commercially packaged chicken broth will stay fresh for about one year beyond the printed date.

How to Tell if Swanson Chicken Broth is Bad

It’s easy to tell if your unopened Swanson chicken broth has truly gone bad. Here’s what to look for:

• Bulging container: If the carton or can looks puffed up or swollen, this could indicate microbial growth inside and you should discard it.

• Corrosion or rust: If you notice any rust, corrosion or damage to the packaging, toss it out. Rust means air and bacteria could be getting inside.

• Off odor: If you open the container and notice an off, sour or unpleasant smell, the broth has likely spoiled.

• Mold: Any mold growing on the surface of the broth or inside the packaging means it’s spoiled.

• Changes in color/texture: Over time in storage, the broth may darken in color or become more viscous, but it’s still safe if stored properly. However, if you notice extreme changes upon opening, it’s best to discard.

As long as it was stored in a cool, dry pantry and the packaging is intact, unopened Swanson chicken broth that is within one year past its printed date should be perfectly safe to use.

Does Swanson Chicken Broth Ever Go Bad Unopened?

It is possible for unopened packaged chicken broth to go bad, but only if stored improperly for a very long time.

Over an extended period beyond the expiration date, the quality and flavor of the broth will slowly deteriorate. But there are factors that can accelerate the degradation process:

• Temperature changes
• Exposure to sunlight and moisture
• Damage to the packaging
• Contamination

If stored in too hot, humid or bright conditions, the broth could start to spoil much quicker. Any damage to the container also exposes the broth to contaminants that promote faster spoilage.

In general, an unopened box of Swanson chicken broth that’s been sitting in your pantry for 5, 10 or even 15 years past its date could still be safe if it was stored correctly. But for the best flavor and texture, it’s best to use chicken broth within 1-2 years of purchase.

Does Refrigeration Extend the Shelf Life?

For maximum shelf life, an unopened box or can of Swanson chicken broth can be stored in the refrigerator after opening.

Properly sealed, unopened broth will last 1-2 years past its printed date when refrigerated at 40°F or below. The cool temperature helps slow degradation.

So if you happen to have a few extra boxes of chicken broth stockpiled, you can extend their freshness by popping them in the fridge. Just make sure they stay sealed.

Signs Your Opened Chicken Broth Has Gone Bad

Once opened and refrigerated, chicken broth will only stay fresh for about 5-7 days. Make sure to write the date you opened it.

Here are signs your opened chicken broth has spoiled and should be discarded:

• Mold growing anywhere in the container
• Curdled texture instead of smooth
• Sour, unpleasant smell
• Bubbles or film on the surface

If your opened chicken broth develops a slimy texture, strange odor, or changes color, it’s time to toss it out.

Storing Swanson Chicken Broth to Maximize Shelf Life

To get the most mileage out of your Swanson chicken broth and keep it fresher for longer:

• Store unopened boxes in a cool, dry pantry away from heat, moisture and sunlight. An ideal temperature is below 70°F.

• Check containers periodically and watch for any swelling, leaks or rust. Discard at first signs of damage.

• Write the date of purchase or opening on the packaging with a marker to keep track.

• Refrigerate after opening, and use within 5-7 days.

• Don’t rely solely on appearance or odor – if the chicken broth is more than 1-2 years past its date, discard it.

• When in doubt, remember the old adage: “When in doubt, throw it out!”

The Bottom Line

Thanks to modern packaging methods, commercially packaged chicken broth has a surprisingly generous shelf life. Unopened, Swanson chicken broth can safely stay in the pantry for up to one year past its printed “best by” date.

As long as you store it properly in a cool, dry place, an unopened box of Swanson chicken broth can hang around in your pantry for months beyond its expiration date and still be perfectly safe to cook with!