How Long Do Foods Last in the Fridge & Freezer?

Do you ever wonder how long that leftover chicken or carton of milk has been sitting in your fridge?

Knowing how long different types of food can last in the fridge and freezer is crucial for keeping your food fresh and safe to eat.

In this guide, we provide you with a table of 100 common food items and their recommended shelf life in the fridge and freezer, so you can always know how long your food will last. Read on for essential tips on food storage and safety.

FoodDays (Fridge)Months (Freezer)
Apples3 weeks6 months
Apricots2 to 3 days3 to 6 months
Asparagus3 to 4 days6 to 8 months
Avocados3 to 4 days3 months
Bacon, Uncooked7 days6 to 8 months
Bagels1 to 2 weeks6 months
Barbecue Sauce4 months3 months
Beef Roast Uncooked3 to 5 days6 to 8 months
Beets7 to 10 days6 to 8 months
Bell Peppers4 to 5 days12 months
Berries4 to 5 days6 months
Bread1 to 2 weeks4 to 6 months
Broccoli3 to 5 days12 months
Broth1 to 2 days3 months
Brussels Sprouts3 to 5 days12 months
Butter1 to 3 months4 months
Buttermilk1 to 2 weeks3 months
Cabbage1 to 2 weeks9 months
Cake1 week3 months
Cheesecake1 week2 months
Carrots3 weeks12 months
Cauliflower3 to 5 days8 months
Celery1 to 2 weeks12 to 16 months
Chicken, Cooked3 to 4 days4 months
Chicken, Uncooked1 to 2 days12 months
Chocolate Syrup6 months6 months
Cilantro7 days6 months
Cookies2 months1 month
Corn1 to 2 days12 months
Cottage Cheese1 week6 months
Cream Cheese2 weeks2 months
Cucumbers4 to 5 days6 months
Egg Salad3 to 5 days1 month
Eggplant3 to 4 days12 months
Eggs, Hard Boiled1 week6 months
Eggs, Raw3 to 5 weeks12 months
Fish, Cooked3 to 4 days3 months
Fish, Uncooked1 to 2 days3 to 8 month
Frosting, Canned1 week3 months
Garlic1 to 2 weeks6 months
Gingerroot1 to 2 weeks4 months
Grapes1 week12 months
Green Beans3 to 4 days12 months
Green Onions1 to 2 weeks4 months
Ground Beef, Cooked3 to 4 days3 months
Ground Beef, Uncooked1 to 2 days4 months
Half-and-Half3 to 4 days3 months
Hard Cheese (cheddar), Opened3 to 4 weeks9 months
Hot Dogs, Opened1 week2 months
Hot Dogs, Unopened2 weeks2 months
Jams6 months6 months
Jellies6 months6 months
Ketchup6 monthsIndefinitely
Leftovers3 to 4 days3 to 4 months
Lettuce3 to 4 days6 months
Lunch Meat, Opened3 to 5 days2 months
Lunch Meat, Unopened2 weeks2 months
Maple Syrup12 monthsIndefinitely
Margarine6 months12 months
Mayo2 months3 months
Melons3 to 4 days6 months
Milk1 week6 months
Muffins1 week3 months
Mushrooms2 to 3 days12 months
Mustard12 months12 months
Okra2 to 3 days6 months
Olives2 weeks6 months
Onion2 months6 months
Orange Juice, Opened7 to 10 days8 to 12 months
Parsley7 days12 months
Peaches3 to 4 days6 to 8 months
Pickles1 to 2 weeks6 months
Pie3 to 4 days6 months
Pork Roast, Chops or Ribs, Uncooked3 to 5 days4 to 6 months
Processed Cheese Slices1 to 2 months3 months
Radishes10 to 14 days3 months
Ribs Uncooked3 to 5 days4 to 6 months
Rolls1 week3 months
Rutabagas2 weeks10 months
Salad Dressing3 months6 months
Salsa1 month4 months
Sausage, Uncooked1 to 2 days2 months
Shredded Cheese1 month3 months
Shrimp, Cooked3 to 4 days3 months
Shrimp, Uncooked1 to 2 days7 months
Soft Cheese (brie)1 week6 months
Soup or Stew3 to 4 days3 months
Sour Cream1 to 3 weeks2 months
Soy Milk1 week3 months
Spaghetti Sauce4 days6 months
Spinach1 to 2 days1 month
Steaks Uncooked3 to 5 days6 months
Tofu1 week3 months
Tomatoes2 to 3 days12 months
Tortillas4 to 7 days2 months
Turnips2 weeks6 months
Whipped Cream1 day3 months
Whipped Topping1 to 2 weeks3 months
Whipping Cream1 month4 months
Yogurt1 to 2 weeks2 months
Zucchini4 to 5 days3 months

Source: USDA

How To Set Fridge Temperature – Fridge Temperature Controls

It is advised that you set your fridge at 4°C / 40°F as this temperature is ideal to stop or prevent the growth of bacteria.

This also helps preserve food for a longer time and will keep it fresh for days.

This is the whole point of meal prep because the objective is to cook make-ahead meals which you can reheat during the week ahead and will still taste fresh.

Depending on the type of meals you want to cook, storing them in the fridge can still taste fresh taste and most cooked meals will be fine to reheat after 3-4 days.

Of course, there are particular ingredients that will not keep as well, which is why you should search for the ingredient here.

However, what if you only want to cook once a week, or even once a month? In this case, your best alternative will be freezing your food which can help take your meal prep to the next level.

How To Set Freezer Temperature – Freezer Temperature Controls

The best temperature for the freezer is -18°C / 0°F, and it is important to know how to store food correctly in the freezer.

This includes the foods you should and should not freeze. Generally speaking, storing your meals in the freezer is ideal for increased longevity which is popular with once-a-month batch cooking.

This takes meal prep to another level because rather than cooking make-ahead meals for the week, you are doing it for the month, which ultimately helps you free up your time and save tons of money.

But, is frozen food bad for you? In short, the answer is no, and it can be a smart way to diversify your make-ahead meals.

While some foods will freeze much better than others, with little change in the texture, taste, and nutrient content, other foods are negatively impacted and should not be frozen.

However, freezing your food will not reduce nutrients, and in fact, it will preserve them which you can imagine is great for meats and vegetables.

One of the main advantages of freezing food is that you can dramatically prevent food wastage by storing leftovers in your freezer and maximizing the use of your ingredients that are due to go out of date.

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