Bone broth is made from animal bones and other ingredients, such as vegetables and herbs. It is typically simmered for hours to extract nutrients from the bones, connective tissue, marrow, and ligaments into gelatin-rich juices called “broth.”
If you enjoy using bone broth to cook with, you will want to have the broth stock on hand. Would freezing bone broth be possible?
Yes, you can freeze bone broth. It’s a great way to preserve it for later. Bone broth should be stored in freezer bags or freeze them as ice cubes. Properly stored, bone broth will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Does Bone Broth Freeze Well?
Most people associate bone broth with soups, stews, and other hearty dishes. However, when it comes to freezing bone broth, there are some important things to keep in mind.
Bone broth freezes very well if you want to preserve the nutrients in it. If you want to get a higher yield of broth from the bones, freeze it in ice cube trays and then store them in freezer bags or containers.
As long as you follow good food safety practices and take care not to create any freezer burn, freezing your own bone broth is a great way to preserve its nutrients for up to six months at a time.
How To Freeze Bone Broth
When you make bone broth, it’s best to freeze in small portions so you can use them up as needed. There are many different ways to freeze it. You can put it in ice cube trays or Tupperware containers.
Free Bone Broth In Bags
Step 1: Allow the bone broth to cool down to room temperature.
Step 2: Pour the broth into the freezer bag. Leave some space at the top of the bag to allow the broth to expand during freezing.
Step 3: With the freezer bag upright, gently press on the bag to expel any excess air before sealing it.
Step 4: Label the bag with the date of freezing.
Step 5: Place the bone broth into the freezer for storage. If you’re going to stack the bone broth on top of each other, make sure the broth is completely frozen before you do so. This is a great way to save room in the freezer.
Freezing Bone Broth As Ice Cubes
Step 1: Get out the ice cube tray and clean them thoroughly.
Step 2: Pour the bone broth into the tray. Fill each slot with the broth, but leave a little amount of space at the top. This will allow the broth to expand during freezing.
Step 3: Place the tray of the bone broth into the freezer. Let it sit for about 1-2 hours to freeze.
Step 4: Once the broth is completely frozen, remove it from the freezer.
Step 5: Transfer the broth cubes to the freezer bag.
Step 6: Gently press on the bag to remove any excess air and seal the bag.
Step 7: Label the bag with the date of freezing and place it into the freezer.
Alternatively, you can use a muffin tray to freeze bone broth as well. This will allow you to the freezer a larger amount of the broth.
How Long Can You Freeze Bone Broth?
Bone broth is a great source of calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients. It can be easily made at home or purchased from health stores. However, it has a short shelf life due to its low water content.
Freezing bone broth for later use is a great way to extend its shelf life. Since it takes time for the solids in the broth to thaw out and release water, freezing it will have the same effect as refrigerating it with an ice pack.
Frozen bone broth has a shelf life of up to six months.
The freezing process can lower the bone broth’s nutritional value, so it is best to use it before the expiration date.
How Do You Defrost Bone Broth?
Defrosting bone broth will depend on what you will be using it for. For most recipes, the best way is to thaw your bone broth in the refrigerator overnight. This method will help to retain the quality of the broth.
If you don’t have time to wait for it to thaw, it can be defrosted the broth in cold water. Remove the broth from the freezer and place them into a bowl of cold water. Let it sit for about 20 minutes and change the water out every 5 minutes.
Avoid thawing the broth by leaving them on the countertop. Since the broth contains meat products, harmful bacteria can start to contaminate it.
If you have frozen bone broth as ice cubes, there is no need to defrost it. Simply pop the number of ice cubes you need and place them directly into the soup or recipes while it’s cooking. The bone broth should melt instantly.
Can You Refreeze Bone Broth?
It’s not recommended to refreeze bone broth. Freezing the broth more than once will cause the quality of the broth to deteriorate.
However, if the broth has not thawed completely yet, you can freeze it again. There will be no changes to the texture or taste of the broth.
Other Questions about Bone Broth
Can you freeze bone broth in mason jars?
The answer is yes. You can freeze bone broth in mason jars. After you have simmered the broth for a long time, take it out of the pot and put it into an ice bath to cool down quickly before pouring it into the jars.
Mason jars are glass jars that are typically used for preserving food in a kitchen or home pantry. They are also used as glass champagne bottles and wine bottles. This is why they make perfect vessels for storing homemade bone broth that has been simmered for hours in your slow cooker on low heat
Does freezing bone broth kill nutrients?
Freezing bone broth does not kill the nutrients in it. It just slows down the breaking down of nutrients. The nutrients are still there and will be restored when you defrost the bone broth.
However, the longer the bone broth is stored in the freezer, the more the nutrients will be lost. For that reason, it’s a good idea to use the broth within 6 months.