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Old frosty stock.....okay to use it?

17 years ago

While digging for my ham bone I found a container of chicken stock in the depths of the freezer. It was stored in one of those glad containers. The lid is cracked, it's all frosty on top and I have no idea how old...not over a year for sure. Use it or toss it. Ready to make my split pea soup. BTW, does it have a time limit in the freezer?

David

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Comments (7)

kathleenca
17 years ago
Hi David,

I think a year is about it for frozen foods - not because they spoil, but because they dry out & lose flavor & nutrition. With the lid of your container cracked, I'm sure a lot of flavor has been lost. You won't get poisoned, but the stock certainly won't do your ham bone much justice.

Kathleen
lakeguy35
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Kathleen! Didn't think about the flavor being lost. Thought I would ask here before I tossed it. I have plenty for my soup that is in freezer bags...this one will go down the drain.

David
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coconut_nj
17 years ago
David, I might be too late or you might disagree, but I'd have used it. Smiles. I just used the last of my turkey broth from last Christmas. The carcass had gone into the freezer for about a month, then I made the broth at the end of January or so. There was frost on top of it when I took it out but what I do is as it starts to defrost I scrape the top layer or so off down past the frost and any remaining grease on top. The grease also tends to cap the stock/broth. It tasted fine, so I used it for the gravy for the roasted pork from New Years. With the few cups left from that I threw some leftover rice in it for a few servings of soup. Just my experience. I don't keep stock or broth much longer than a year in regular containers, but don't really see a problem up until then.
lindac
17 years ago
Absolutely use it!! I had some stock in a similar condition...more than a year old I think and I used it....before I put it into the stuffing and the gravy I tasted it....it wasd elicious.
It has lost moisture....and concentrated the flavorsl....freeze dried comes to mind!
Linda c
centralcacyclist
17 years ago
It might gather weird freezer flavors with the cracked lid. Thaw and check. Could be fine!
malna
17 years ago
Just rinse the frosty stuff off and it'll be fine. I find "old" stock in the freezer all the time (in those Glad containers with cracked lids).
lakeguy35
Original Author
17 years ago
Didn't think about it picking up weird flavors..good point. Well, while watching my Vikings getting their butts kicked by the Eagles I tossed it into the pot. It was only a cup or more so I thought...what could it hurt. Soup taste wonderful and I'm sure those who I'm giving some of it to will be happy campers for sure. Thanks!!

David

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