This is my favorite pro tip. Stick a clean pinky in there and taste a tiny dab. If it tastes like metallic, soapy, or just “off,” don’t use it. But if it tastes like a salty, delicious explosion of chicken or beef or vegetable? Party on. Your taste buds are the ultimate expiration date sensor. Trust them more than the stamp on the lid.
I’ve personally used jars that were three years past their date. No joke. It tasted exactly like the fresh stuff. I didn’t get sick. I didn’t turn into a chicken-flavored zombie. It just made a perfectly good soup. The only risk is that the flavor is a little weaker, so you might need an extra teaspoon.
Costco Rebates: Frozen Chicken, Better Than Bouillon + More! | Coupons
But What About Splitting? (The Crystal Formation)
You might see little white or clear crystals on the surface. Don’t panic! That’s not mold. That’s salt and flavor crystals that have separated out. It’s totally normal, especially if the jar has been in the fridge for a while. Just mix them back in. It’s not a defect; it’s a feature! You’re getting a bonus hit of salty flavor.
