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A basic guide for safe food storage reference guide provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (foodsafety.gov).
Category |
Food |
Refrigerator
(40 °F or below) |
Freezer
(0 °F or below) |
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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