Do Bouillon Cubes Ever Actually Expire?
Bouillon cubes are great little kitchen staples that are used to make broth or stock, which can then be used as a flavorful base for soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes. They are small blocks of concentrated seasoning that are made from dehydrated vegetables, meat, and seasonings that have been compressed into a small cube shape. They typically come in beef and chicken flavoring, and they are very simple to use. You just determine how much broth you need for your recipe, then boil that amount of water. Once it's rolling, remove the water from the heat and add the bouillon cube.
It is really that straightforward, but while using a bouillon cube may be easy, it's not a food product most people use very often. If you have found yourself trying to remember the last time you used a bouillon cube in any of your recipes, you may also be worried that they have gone bad. But do bouillon cubes expire?
Check the cubes, not the dates
Yes, bouillon cubes do expire, but they tend to have an extremely long shelf life. Of course, how long they last can vary depending on the brand and how they are stored. Generally, bouillon cubes can stay good for several years, if they are preserved properly. The expiration date is usually printed on the packaging, and bouillon cubes can often be used for 1-2 years after that date.
Expired bouillon cubes may not provide the same flavor and nutrition as fresh ones, and they may be more likely to contain harmful bacteria, especially if you have not kept them safe. Since you can't always rely on the expiration dates, you should check the cube for signs of spoilage. If the bouillon cubes have changed color, have a foul or strange odor, or have become soft or crumbly, they have probably gone bad and you should throw them away, no matter the expiration date.
Storing bouillon cubes properly
To help extend the shelf life of store-bought bouillon cubes, it's important to store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Moisture can cause the cubes to soften and lose their flavor over time, so it's best to keep them in an airtight container or their original packaging until ready to use. These bouillon cubes should not be stored in the freezer because that exposes them to moisture.
You can make homemade bouillon cubes, and those can be stored in the fridge, or even frozen. They can last for several months when put in the fridge and up to a year in the freezer. These will lose flavor faster than the store-bought versions, though, because they are often made with fresher ingredients. If you are worried about them expiring before you can use them, you should stick to buying bouillon cubes in a store.