Food storage & shelf life
That thing in the back of your fridge. Is it still good?
Search any food for how long it keeps in the fridge and the freezer, how to store it so it lasts, and what spoilage actually looks like.
Advertisement
62 foods
Meat & Poultry
Raw chicken
- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 9–12 months
Meat & Poultry
Ground beef
- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 3–4 months
Meat & Poultry
Steaks & roasts (beef)
- Fridge
- 3–5 days
- Freezer
- 6–12 months
Meat & Poultry
Bacon
- Fridge
- 7 days after opening
- Freezer
- 1 month
Meat & Poultry
Sliced deli meat
- Fridge
- 3–5 days after opening
- Freezer
- 1–2 months
Seafood
Fresh fish fillets
- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 3–8 months
Seafood
Raw shrimp
- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 6–9 months
Seafood
Cooked fish & shellfish
- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 3 months
Dairy & Eggs
Milk
- Fridge
- 5–7 days past the printed date
- Freezer
- 3 months
Dairy & Eggs
Eggs (in shell)
- Fridge
- 3–5 weeks
- Freezer
- Not in shell — freeze beaten, 12 months
Dairy & Eggs
Hard cheese (cheddar, parmesan)
- Fridge
- 3–4 weeks after opening
- Freezer
- 6 months (best for cooking after)
Dairy & Eggs
Soft cheese (brie, ricotta, cottage)
- Fridge
- 1–2 weeks after opening
- Freezer
- Not recommended
Dairy & Eggs
Yogurt
- Fridge
- 1–2 weeks past the date
- Freezer
- 1–2 months
Dairy & Eggs
Butter
- Fridge
- 1–3 months
- Freezer
- 6–9 months
Produce
Leafy greens & salad
- Fridge
- 3–7 days
- Freezer
- Only cooked/blanched, 8–12 months
Produce
Berries
- Fridge
- 3–7 days
- Freezer
- 8–12 months
Produce
Apples
- Fridge
- 4–6 weeks
- Freezer
- 8 months (sliced)
Produce
Bananas
- Fridge
- Skin blackens, flesh keeps 1 week
- Freezer
- 3 months (peeled)
Produce
Potatoes
- Fridge
- Not recommended
- Freezer
- 10–12 months (cooked only)
Produce
Tomatoes
- Fridge
- 5–7 days once ripe
- Freezer
- 2 months (whole or sauce)
Leftovers & Prepared
Cooked rice & grains
- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 6 months
Leftovers & Prepared
Cooked leftovers (general)
- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 2–3 months
Leftovers & Prepared
Soups & stews
- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 2–3 months
Leftovers & Prepared
Pizza
- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 1–2 months
Leftovers & Prepared
Cooked chicken
- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 2–6 months
Pantry Staples
Bread
- Fridge
- Not recommended — goes stale faster
- Freezer
- 3 months
Pantry Staples
Mayonnaise (opened)
- Fridge
- 2 months
- Freezer
- Not recommended
Pantry Staples
Opened jarred sauce
- Fridge
- 5–7 days
- Freezer
- 3 months
Pantry Staples
Dry rice, pasta & flour
- Fridge
- Extends whole grains to 1 year
- Freezer
- 2 years
Pantry Staples
Olive oil
- Fridge
- Not needed — it clouds and thickens
- Freezer
- Not recommended
Meat & Poultry
Raw turkey
- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 12 months
Meat & Poultry
Fresh sausages
- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 1–2 months
Meat & Poultry
Pork chops
- Fridge
- 3–5 days
- Freezer
- 4–6 months
Meat & Poultry
Hot dogs
- Fridge
- 2 weeks sealed, 1 week opened
- Freezer
- 1–2 months
Meat & Poultry
Cooked ham
- Fridge
- 3–5 days sliced, 1 week whole
- Freezer
- 1–2 months
Seafood
Canned tuna
- Fridge
- 3–4 days once opened
- Freezer
- Not recommended once opened
Seafood
Smoked salmon
- Fridge
- 2 weeks sealed, 3–5 days opened
- Freezer
- 2–3 months
Seafood
Sardines
- Fridge
- 2 days once opened
- Freezer
- Not recommended
Dairy & Eggs
Cream cheese
- Fridge
- 2 weeks after opening
- Freezer
- 2 months (texture turns grainy)
Dairy & Eggs
Sour cream
- Fridge
- 1–3 weeks after opening
- Freezer
- Not recommended — it separates
Dairy & Eggs
Cream
- Fridge
- 5–7 days after opening
- Freezer
- 1–2 months (best for cooking after)
Dairy & Eggs
Cottage cheese
- Fridge
- 5–7 days after opening
- Freezer
- Not recommended
Dairy & Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs
- Fridge
- 1 week (peeled or not)
- Freezer
- Not recommended — whites go rubbery
Produce
Carrots
- Fridge
- 3–4 weeks
- Freezer
- 10–12 months (blanch first)
Produce
Broccoli
- Fridge
- 7–10 days
- Freezer
- 10–12 months (blanch first)
Produce
Onions
- Fridge
- 7–10 days once cut
- Freezer
- 8 months chopped
Produce
Garlic
- Fridge
- 1 week peeled cloves
- Freezer
- 10–12 months
Produce
Mushrooms
- Fridge
- 7–10 days
- Freezer
- 9–12 months (cook first)
Produce
Avocado
- Fridge
- 3–5 days ripe, 1–2 days cut
- Freezer
- 4–6 months mashed with lemon juice
Produce
Lemons & oranges
- Fridge
- 3–4 weeks
- Freezer
- 4–6 months (juice or zest)
Produce
Grapes
- Fridge
- 1–2 weeks
- Freezer
- 10–12 months
Produce
Cucumber
- Fridge
- 1 week
- Freezer
- Not recommended
Produce
Fresh herbs
- Fridge
- 1–2 weeks
- Freezer
- 4–6 months (in oil or water cubes)
Leftovers & Prepared
Cooked pasta
- Fridge
- 3–5 days
- Freezer
- 1–2 months
Leftovers & Prepared
Cooked beans
- Fridge
- 3–5 days
- Freezer
- 3–6 months
Leftovers & Prepared
Salad dressing
- Fridge
- 1–3 months bought, 3–7 days homemade
- Freezer
- Not recommended
Leftovers & Prepared
Takeaway meals
- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 2–3 months
Pantry Staples
Peanut butter
- Fridge
- 1 year (natural styles last longer cold)
- Freezer
- Not needed
Pantry Staples
Honey
- Fridge
- Not recommended — it hardens
- Freezer
- Not needed
Pantry Staples
Dry pasta
- Fridge
- Not needed
- Freezer
- Not needed
Pantry Staples
Canned goods
- Fridge
- 3–4 days once opened
- Freezer
- 2 months in a container
Pantry Staples
Coffee
- Fridge
- Not recommended — it absorbs smells
- Freezer
- 3–6 months in an airtight bag
Know a food we're missing?
Share your own fridge, freezer, and cupboard times. We check each suggestion against food-safety guidance before adding it to the list.
Add a foodTell us what you think
Missing a food you looked for? Spotted a time that seems off? Your notes help us make the answers here better.