Maximum Food Storage Times
at KitchenMatters.com
Food storage and food safety are intimately related to one another and as such it is important for the health and safety of your family to understand what foods can be stored under what conditions and for how long.
This table covers most food storage items and is a handy reference when pulling that chicken out of the freezer - "is this still ok?". Don't chance the saefty of those you seek to nourish and instead be certain.
When we put items up for freezing we always mark the date along with any notes and we highly recommend you do the same.
Prep Essentials Cold Cut Keeper
MAXIMUM FOOD STORAGE TIMES | ||||
| Pies | ||||
| Unbaked | ||||
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Store in the freezer for 2 to 4 months. Unwrap; cut slits in the top. Cover edge with foil. Bake frozen pie in a 450 degree oven for 15 minutes, then in a 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. Uncover; bake about 30 minutes more or till done. |
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| Baked |
Store in the freezer 6 to 8 months. Thaw in package at room temperature. |
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| Soups, Stews and Casseroles | ||||
| Soups and Stews | ||||
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Store in freezer 1 to 3 months. Place frozen food in a heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat, separating often with a fork until hot. |
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| Casseroles (Fish, poultry, or meat with vegetables or pasta) |
Store in freezer 2 to 4 weeks. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 1 ¾ hours per quart. Cover for the first half of baking time. |
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| Fish and Shellfish | ||||
| Fat Fish | ||||
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Store in freezer 4 months Store in refrigerator 1 to 2 days Thaw in wrapping in refrigerator for 6 to 24 hours |
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| Lean Fish | ||||
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Store in freezer 8 months. Store in refrigerator 1 to 2 days. Thaw in wrapping in refrigerator for 6 to 24 hours. |
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| Raw Shellfish | ||||
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Store in freezer 3 months. Store in refrigerator 1 day. Thaw in wrapping in refrigerator for 6 hours per pound. |
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| Poultry | ||||
| Fresh Poultry - Whole chicken and turkey | ||||
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Store in freezer 12 months Store in refrigerator 1 to 2 days |
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| Fresh Poultry - Whole duck and goose | ||||
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Store in freezer 6 months. Store in refrigerator 1 to 2 days. |
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| Chicken pieces | ||||
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Store in freezer 9 months. Store in refrigerator 1 to 2 days. |
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| Turkey pieces | ||||
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Store in freezer 6 months. Store in refrigerator 1 to 2 days. |
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| Cooked Poultry - Covered with broth or gravy | ||||
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Store in freezer 6 months. Store in refrigerator 1 to 2 days. |
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| Cooked Poultry - Pieces not covered with broth or gravy | ||||
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Store in freezer 1 months. Store in refrigerator 3 to 4 days. |
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| Cooked Poultry Dishes | ||||
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Store in freezer 4 to 6 months. Store in refrigerator 3 to 4 days. |
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| Meat | ||||
| Thaw roasts steaks, and chops in wrapping in refrigerator, allowing 5 hours per pound | ||||
| Fresh Meat - Beef Roasts | ||||
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Store in freezer 6 top 12 months Store in refrigerator 3 to 5 days |
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| Fresh Meat - Lamb Roasts | ||||
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Store in freezer 6 to 9 months. Store in refrigerator 3 to 5 days. |
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| Fresh Meat - Pork and Veal Roasts | ||||
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Store in freezer 4 to 8 months. Store in refrigerator 3 to 5 days. |
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| Fresh Meat - Beef Steaks | ||||
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Store in freezer 6 to 12 months. Store in refrigerator 3 to 5 days. |
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| Fresh Meat - Lamb Chops | ||||
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Store in freezer 6 to 9 months. Store in refrigerator 3 to 5 days. |
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| Fresh Meat - Pork Chops | ||||
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Store in freezer 3 to 4 months. Store in refrigerator 3 to 5 days. |
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| Fresh Meat - Ground and Stew Meats | ||||
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Store in freezer 3 to 4 months. Store in refrigerator 1 to 2 days. |
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| Fresh Meat - Pork Sausage | ||||
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Store in freezer 1 to 2 months. Store in refrigerator 1 to 2 days |
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| Cooked Meats and Meat Dishes | ||||
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Store in freezer 2 to 3 months. Store in refrigerator 3 to 4 days. |
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| Processed Meats - Bacon | ||||
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Store in freezer 1 month. Store in refrigerator up to 7 days. |
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| Processed Meats - Frankfurters | ||||
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Store in freezer 1 to 2 months. Store in refrigerator unopened in vacuum-sealed package 2 weeks, 3 to 5 days once opened. |
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| Processed Meats - Whole Ham | ||||
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Store in freezer 1 to 2 months. Store in refrigerator up to 7 days. |
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| Processed Meats - Luncheon Meats | ||||
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Store in freezer 1 to 2 months. Store in refrigerator unopened in vacuum-sealed package 2 weeks, 3 to 5 days once opened. |
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| Processed Meats - Smoked Sausage | ||||
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Store in freezer 1 to 2 months. Store in refrigerator up to 7 days. |
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| Eggs | ||||
| Egg Whites | ||||
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Store in freezer 9 to 12 months Store in refrigerator 2 to 4 days |
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| Whole Eggs | ||||
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Store in freezer 9 to 12 months. Store in refrigerator up to 4 weeks. |
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| Egg Yolks | ||||
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Store in freezer 9 to 12 months. Store in refrigerator 2 to 3 days. |
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| Cheese, Ice Cream, Butter And Margarine | ||||
| Cottage and other Curd Cheeses | ||||
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Store in refrigerator up to 5 days |
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| Hard Cheeses | ||||
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Store in freezer up to 6 months. Store in refrigerator up to 3 to 4 months. |
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| Soft Cheeses | ||||
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Store in freezer up to 4 months. Store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks. |
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| Ice cream | ||||
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Store in freezer 1 to 3 months. Store it in the back to hide it from your significant other |
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| Butter | ||||
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Store in freezer 6 to 9 months. Store it in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. |
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| Margarine | ||||
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Store it in refrigerator for 6 to 12 months. |
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