Skip to main content

Safe Storage Times for Refrigerated or Frozen Foods

Find out how long all types of foods can be refrigerated or frozen.

Safe Storage Times for Refrigerated or Frozen Foods

Product Refrigeration (40°F or less) Freezer (0°F)
Baked Goods    
Unbaked bread   1 month
Baked, unfrosted cake (angel food, chiffon, sponge or cheesecake)   2-3 months
Baked, unfrosted chocolate, pound, white or yellow cake   4-6 months
Beverages    
Citrus fruit and homemade frozen juices 6 days 6 months
Fruit juice concentrates   12 months
Casseroles    
Meat, fish or poultry 3-4 days 2-3 months
Condiments    
Mayonnaise, commercial, opened 2 months DO NOT FREEZE
Hard cheese 2-3 weeks 4 months (thaw in refrigerator)
Dairy    
Hard cheese 2-3 weeks 4 months (thaw in refrigerator) 4-8 months in FoodSaver bag
Soft cheese 5 days DO NOT FREEZE
Butter 5 days 6-9 months
Cream 5 days 2 months (thaw in refrigerator; heavy cream will not whip after freezing)
Fresh eggs in shell 3-5 weeks DO NOT FREEZE
Raw egg whites and yolks 2-4 days 12 months
Hard-cooked eggs 7 days DO NOT FREEZE
Pasteurized egg substitute, unopened 10 days  
Pasteurized egg substitute, opened 3 days  
Cooked egg dishes 3-4 days 12 months
Margarine 4-5 months 1 month (thaw in refrigerator; best if used for cooking and baking)
Milk 7 days  
Buttermilk, sour cream or yogurt 7 days DO NOT FREEZE
Fish    
Bluefish, perch, mackerel or salmon 1-2 days 2-3 months
Breaded fish 1-2 days 3 months
Cod, flounder, haddock or sole 1-2 days 6 months
Shellfish, cooked 1-2 days 3 months
Shellfish, uncooked 1-2 days 3-6 months
Frozen Foods    
Ice cream, ice milk, sherbet   2 months
TV dinners, frozen casseroles   3-4 months
Fruits    
Apples 1-3 weeks DO NOT FREEZE
Berries, cherries, peaches, pears, pineapple, etc. 1-2 days 12 months
Fresh, uncut limes 1 month  
Fresh, cut limes (in plastic bag) 5 days  
Melons 7 days DO NOT FREEZE
Strawberries 3 days 12 months
Meat    
Ground beef, raw 1-2 days 2-3 months
Hot dogs, unopened 2 weeks 1-2 months
Hot dogs, opened package 1 week 1-2 months
Luncheon meat, unopened 2 weeks 1-2 months
Luncheon meat, opened 3-5 days 1-2 months
Steaks or chops, uncooked 2-3 days 4-6 months
Cooked meat and meat casseroles 3-4 days 2-3 months
Poultry    
Chicken, whole or cut up, uncooked 1-2 days 3 months
Cooked 3-4 days 3-4 months
Cooked casseroles 3-4 days 4-6 months
Soups/Stews    
Vegetable or meat 3-4 days 2-3 months
Vegetables    
Home frozen   10 months
Fresh: asparagus, corn in husks, beans (green or wax), mushrooms, shredded cabbage, leaf and bib lettuce, salad greens, tomatoes (ripe) or cabbage 1-2 days All vegetables: 1-2 years in vacuum-packed FoodSaver bags
Head lettuce (washed and drained), unshelled peas, lima beans and or spinach 3-5 days  
Beets, cabbage, carrots, celery and radishes 7-14 days  
Purchased frozen packages (cartons, plastic bags or boil-in bags)   8 months
Other Foods    
Gravy, broth 1-2 days  
Canned fruits, opened 7 days  
Canned vegetables, opened 2-3 days  
Puddings or custards, opened 1-2 days  
Pizza 3-4 days 1-2 months
Stuffing, cooked 3-4 days 1 month
Prepared deli salads (chicken, egg, tuna, macaroni or potato) 3-5 days DO NOT FREEZE
Unopened vacuum-packed dinners with 2 weeks  

Join the Family

Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.

Subscribe