The jar of bouillon paste says to refrigerate after opening. The box of cubes beside it in the pantry says nothing of the kind. Both are bouillon, so does one of them have it wrong? Neither does, because the form changes the answer. Here is what the brands and USDA say about each, and what to do with bouillon once it is dissolved in water.
Does bouillon need to be refrigerated?
The Short Answer
It depends on the form. Herb-Ox says its bouillon doesn’t require refrigeration after opening, and Maggi answers that all of its products are shelf stable, so for those brands dry cubes and granules are pantry items. Better Than Bouillon says its paste should be refrigerated after opening, and it advises discarding jars that weren’t. Other pastes may differ, so follow the label. Once any bouillon is dissolved in water, it is a perishable broth. Refrigerate it within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F, keep it at 40°F or below, and use it within 3 to 4 days, which is our conservative default based on USDA’s soups and stews guidance.
For a complete pantry and fridge reference, see our Food Storage Guide. For dates, spoilage signs and how long each type lasts, see whether bouillon goes bad. Broth you make from bouillon follows the same cold-storage rules as chicken broth, beef broth, vegetable broth and bone broth.
Bouillon and the Refrigerator: At a Glance
Cubes or granules, before use
No refrigeration needed for the brands we read. Maggi: all products shelf stable. Keep them in a cool, dry, dark spot
Opened cubes or granules
Herb-Ox: no refrigeration required after opening. Keep them sealed and dry
Unopened paste or base
Better Than Bouillon’s FAQ gives its refrigeration rule for after opening. Follow the label on your jar
Opened paste or base
Better Than Bouillon: refrigerate, and discard jars that weren’t. Other pastes may differ, so follow the label
Dissolved bouillon (broth)
Refrigerate within 2 hours, 1 hour above 90°F. 3 to 4 days at 40°F or below
Freezing
Better Than Bouillon says not to freeze its product. USDA lists soups and stews at 2 to 3 months in the freezer, a quality guideline
Key Takeaways
Herb-Ox’s FAQ says its bouillon does not require refrigeration after opening, should be used by the expiration date, and needs to be refrigerated once prepared.
Maggi’s FAQ, asked whether its products need to be refrigerated or frozen, answers that all of its products are shelf stable. It says its storage information is for the product prior to use.
Better Than Bouillon’s FAQ says the product should be refrigerated after opening and should not be frozen. It advises discarding jars past the Best By date or not refrigerated after opening, and it gives no number of days for use after opening.
Better Than Bouillon’s two year shelf life starts from the date of manufacture, not from the day you open the jar.
Knorr’s bouillon guide says an opened bouillon paste stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to a year, which is a g
