Storage times for the Refrigerator and Freezer

fridge

This article is an excerpt from the book called “1001 Ideas for Kitchen Organization” by “Joseph R Provey”. List all the food items which could be in your fridge with approximate storage times for the Refrigerator and Freezer. This guide can be referred by users when storing a particular food in their refrigerator.

Recommended Storage time for Refrigerator and Freezer

Type of FoodFridgeFreezer
Dairy products
Butter/margarine2 weeks9 months
buttermilk1-2 weeks*
Cheese (grated and hard)6 months6-12 months
Cottage cheese (creamed)7 days*
Cottage cheese (dry curd)7 days1 month
Cream (whipped)1 day2 months
Ice cream*2 months
Milk, condensed (opened)3-5 days*
Milk, evaporated (opened)3-5 days*
Milk, fresh5-7 days*
Sour cream4 weeks*
Yogurt7 days(after “sell-by date)*
Ham,sliced(fully cooked)3-4 days1-2 months
Ham, whole (fully cooked )7 days1-2 months
Hot dogs (opened)1 week1-2 months
Hot dogs (unopened)2 weeks1-2 months
Roast3-5 days4-6 months
sausage1-2 days1-2 months
Smoked breakfast sausage7 days1-2 months
Lamb:
Chops3-5 days6-9 months
Patties1-2 days3-4 months
Roast3-5 days6-9 months
Veal:
Roast3-5 days4-8 months
Venison:
Chops3-5 days6-12 months
Roast3-5 days6-12 months
Steak3-5 days 6-12 months

meat products

Beef:
Corned5-7 days(in pouch w/juices)1 month (drained)
Ground1-2 days3-4 months
Hard sausage2-3 weeks1-2 months
Roast3-5 days6-12 months
Steak3-5 days6-12 months
stew meat1-2 days3-4 months
Pork:
Bacon7 days1 month
Chops3-5 days4-6 months
Ham, canned6-9 months*
Ham, half (fully cooked)3-5 days1-2 months
Variety Meats:
Heart, liver, tongue, etc.1-2 days3-4 months
Deli and Vacuum-Packed Meat Products:
Commercial brand vacuum-packed dinners with USDA seal2 weeks (unopened)*
Lunch meats (opened)3-5 days1-2 months
Lunch meats (unopened)2 weeks1-2 months
Pre-stuffed pork and lamb chops or chicken breasts1 day*
Cooked, Leftover Meat:
Gravy and meat broth1-2 days2-3 months
Meat and meat dishes3-4 days2-3 months
Soups and stews3-4 days2-3 months

Poultry products

Chicken or turkey , pieces1-2 days9-12 months
Chicken or turkey , whole1-2 days1 year
Duck,whole1-2 days6 months
Game birds1-2 days6 months
Giblets1-2 days3-4 months
Goose1-2 days6 months
Ground turkey1-2 days3-4 months
Cooked Leftover Poultry:
Cooked dishes3-4 days4-6 months
Fried chicken3-4 days4 months
Nuggets or parties1-2 days1-3 months
Picots with broth/gravy1-2 days6 months
Plain pieces3-4 days4 months

Eggs

Fresh in shell3 weeks*
Hard cooked1 week*
Liquid paecurized eggs or opened3 days*
Liquid paecurized eggs or unopened10 days1 year
Eggs volks, whites2-4 days1 year

HSH

Kerry fisfork and shellfish on ice in the refrigerator
3 days2-3 months
3 days4-6 months
Fresh Shellfish:
Crabmeat2-3 days4 months
Live crabs and lobster1-2 days2-3 months(after killing)
Live mussels and clams4-5 days*
Live oysters7-10 days*
Scallops2-3 days3 months
Shrimp2-3 days4-6 months (raw or cooked, not thawed)
Shucked mussels and clams2-3 days3-4 months
Shucked oysters5-7 days3-4 months
Squid, cleaned3-4 days3-4 months
Squid, whole2-3 days1-2 months
Smoked Fish:
Herring3-4 days2 months
Salmon5-8 days2 months
Whiting5-8 days2 months
Cooked Fish:
Breaded scallops, commercial*16 months
Breaded Shrimp, commercial*1 year
Cooked pieces3-4 days3 months
Fish sticks*18 months
Surimi2 weeks9 months

Fruits

Apples1 month8-12 months
Apriconts3-5 days8-12 monts
Avocados3-5 days8-12 months
Bananas*8-12 months
Berries2-3 days8-12 months
Cherries2-3 days8-12 months
Grapefruit2 weeks4-6 months
Grapes3-5 days8-12 months
Guavas1-2 days8-12 months
Kiwis3-5 days4-6 months
Lemons2 weeks4-6 months
Limes2 weeks8-12 months
Mangoes*8-12 months
Melons1 weeks4-6 monts
Oranges2 weeks4-6 months
papayas1-2 days8-12 months
peaches3-5 days8-12 months
Pears3-5 days8-12 months
pineapples2-3 days4-6 months
Plantains*8-12 months
Plums3-5 days8-12 months
Rhubarb3-5 days8-12 months

Fruit juices

Concentrate*2 years
Fresh or reconstituted5-7 days8-12 months

Vegetables

Asparagus2-3 days8-12 months
Beets2 weeks8-13 months
Bok Choy2-3 days8-12 months
Broccoli3-5 days8-12 months
Brussels sprouts3-5 days8-12 months
Cabbage1-2 weeks8-12 months
Cauliflower1 week8-12 months
Celery1 week8-12 months
Chilies1 week8-12 months
Cilantro2-3 days*
cornUse immediately for best flavor8-12 months
Green beans1 week8-12 months
Greens: spinach, collards, kale, etc.3-5 days8-12 months
Jerusalem artichokes1 week8-12 months
Jicama2-3 weeks8-12 months
Kohlrabi (leaves)2-3 weeks8-12 months
Kohlrabi (stem)1 week8-12 months
Lettuce and salad greens1 week*
Lima beans3-5 days8-12 months
Mushrooms 3-5 days 8-12 months
Okra 1-2 days 8-12 months
Onions,green 3-5 days *
Parsley 2-3 days *
Peas 3-5 days 8-12 months
Peppers 1 week 8-12 months
Radishes2 weeks*
Squash,hard* 8-12 months
Tomatillos 1 week 8-12 months
Tomatoes 1 week 8-12 months
Yuca (Cassava) 1-2 days 8-12 months
Zucchini and summer squash 3-5 days 8-12 months

Baked products

Breads:Store at room temperature. Storing in the refrigerator promotes staling. Use the date on the label as a guide or use within 3 to 7 days.

Bread, yeast*6-12 months
Muffins*2-4 months
Pancakes*1-2 months
Quick breads*2-4 months
Rolls, yeast*2-4 months
Waffles*1-2 months

Cakes: Store at room temperature, except for cheesecake .Best used within 3 to 7 days.

Angel*4-6 months
Cheese3-7 days4-6 months
Chiffon*4-6 months
Fruit*1 year
Layer( buttercream icing or plain)*6 months
Sponge*4-6 months
Cookies:
Baked*4-6 months
Unbaked dough2-3 days6 months

Pastries: Store at room temperature. Best used within 1 to 3 days.

Danishes*3 months
Doughnuts*3 months
Pies:
Chiffon1-2 days1 month
Fruits1-2 days1 year
Miece1-2 days4-8 months
Pumpkin1-2 days1 month
Unbaked fruit*8 months

Baby Food

Liquid:

Expressed breast milk5 days3-4 months
Formula2 days*

Solids (open or freshly made):

Homemade baby foods1-2 days3-4 months
Strained fruits and vegetables2-3 days6-8 months
Strained meats and eggs1 day1-2 months
Strained meats/vegetables combination1 -2 days1-2 months

Miscellaneous

Fresh pasta1 week1 month
Mayonnaise2 months*
Nuts6 months1 year
Sandwiches1-2 days1 week
Tofu1 week1 month

Foods that do not freeze well

Because of Flavor Changes:

Artificial salt(salt substitute)
Artificial vanilla flavor
Garlic
Home-fried foods
Onions
Spices (especially clove, sage)

Because of Texture Changes:

Cooked egg whites
Cream sauces
Custards
Gravy thickened with wheat flour
Mayonnaise
Pasta
Potatoes
Soft meringues

Courtesy of Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension

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