Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer
These short but safe time limits for home-refrigerated foods will keep them from spoiling or becoming dangerous to eat. The guidelines for freezer storage are for quality only. Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely.
|
Category |
Food |
Refrigerator |
Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Salads |
Egg, chicken, ham, tuna & macaroni salads |
3 to 5 days |
Does not freeze well |
|
Hot dogs |
opened package |
1 week |
1 to 2 months |
|
unopened package |
2 weeks |
1 to 2 months |
|
|
Luncheon meat |
opened package or deli sliced |
3 to 5 days |
1 to 2 months |
|
unopened package |
2 weeks |
1 to 2 months |
|
|
Bacon & Sausage |
Bacon |
7 days |
1 month |
|
Sausage, raw — from chicken, turkey, pork, beef |
1 to 2 days |
1 to 2 months |
|
|
Hamburger & Other Ground Meats |
Hamburger, ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, & mixtures of them |
1 to 2 days |
3 to 4 months |
|
Fresh Beef, Veal, Lamb & Pork |
Steaks |
3 to 5 days |
6 to 12 months |
|
Chops |
3 to 5 days |
4 to 6 months |
|
|
Roasts |
3 to 5 days |
4 to 12 months |
|
|
Fresh Poultry |
Chicken or turkey, whole |
1 to 2 days |
1 year |
|
Chicken or turkey, pieces |
1 to 2 days |
9 months |
|
|
Soups & Stews |
Vegetable or meat added |
3 to 4 days |
2 to 3 months |
|
Leftovers |
Cooked meat or poultry |
3 to 4 days |
2 to 6 months |
|
Chicken nuggets or patties |
3 to 4 days |
1 to 3 months |
|
|
Pizza |
3 to 4 days |
1 to 2 months
|
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