Virginia Tech® home

Food Storage Guidelines For Consumers

ID

348-960 (FST-453NP)

Authors as Published

H. Lester Schonberger, Associate Extension Specialist, Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech; and Renee Boyer, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Food Science and Technology, Virginia Tech (originally published May 2009, last revised July 2023)

A paper shopping bag filled with groceries
Figure 1. A paper shopping bag filled with groceries‌

Consumers get food in many ways. They can purchase their food from a convenience store, grocery store, or supermarket, grow or raise their own food, or receive food through a food pantry or other hunger relief program when needed. Often, an individual consumer will have access to more food than they can eat in a day and so it will need to be stored until it is used. This publication will address how you can safely store your food for optimal quality until you are ready to use and consume it.

Dates on Food Labels

The dates printed on food labels almost always refer to the quality, and not the safety, of the food. It notes when the manufacturer will no longer guarantee the quality of the food. Ideally, you will be able to get food before the food manufacturer’s freshness dates. However, if a food has been properly stored and the printed date has passed, the food should still be safe to consume.

The exception to this is infant formula. Infant formula should not be consumed past the manufacturers printed date. Infants need a specific balance of nutrients to properly grow, and past the printed date the manufacturer can no longer guarantee all of those nutrients are present within the formula.

Meat, fish, poultry, dairy, and fresh bakery products are dated with a “sell by” or “display until” date to indicate how long the food can be displayed for sale. The “sell by” date allows a reasonable amount of time after the purchase in which the product can be used. Often times, grocery stores and supermarkets will discount foods as they get closer to the “sell by” date.

Cereals, snack foods, frozen entrees, and dry packaged foods may be marked with a “best if used by,” best by,” “best before,” or “use by” date. The products are not at their best quality after this date, but can still be used safely consumed.

Another label that can be found on some meat, poultry, fish, or other perishable products is a “freeze by,” “prepare or freeze by,” or “use or freeze by” date. This date is to let the consumer know when to prepare the food, or if they won’t prepare it by then when to freeze it until they will prepare it.

Shopping for Food

When food shopping, pick-up refrigerated and frozen foods just prior to checkout. Refrigerated foods should be cold (<40°F), and frozen foods should be solid with no evidence of thawing (<0°F). Refrigerated and frozen food should be bagged together. After shopping, drive straight home and store food in the refrigerator or freezer. If you live further from the store, consider using insulated grocery bags or a cooler.

Proper Storage Extends Shelf-Life of Food

The shelf-life of food will depend upon the food itself, it’s packaging, the temperature, and the humidity. Foods, such as dairy products, meats, poultry, eggs, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, will spoil rapidly if not stored at proper temperatures.

For optimal quality and safety, dairy products should be stored at refrigerated temperatures between 34°F and 38°F, meats between 33°F and 36°F, and eggs 33°F to 37°F. Fresh vegetables and ripe fresh fruits should be stored between 35°F and 40°F. Always store refrigerated foods at temperatures less than 40°F. So, for optimal quality and safety consider keeping your refrigerator at 35°F. Place a thermometer in the refrigerator and monitor the temperature often.

There is a particular order you should store foods in the refrigerator to decrease the risk of cross- contamination. This is where any bacteria or other foodborne hazards that can make people sick are transferred from one food to another. It is based on if you will or will not cook the food, and if you will cook the food the final recommended cooking temperature.

Figure 2. A chart showing the recommended order of storing foods in the refrigerator to decrease the risk of cross-contamination.

Figure 2. A chart showing the recommended order of storing foods in the refrigerator to decrease the risk of cross-contamination. Source: State Food Safety

Frozen foods should be stored below 0°F in moisture-proof, gas-impermeable plastic or freezer wrap.

Make sure to label and date frozen foods so you know what it is when you take it out.

Be mindful not to overload your refrigerator or freezer. If you do, you can block the airflow necessary to keep the entire unit at the proper temperature.

Dry foods such as flour, crackers, cake mixes, seasonings, and canned goods should be stored in their original packages or tightly closed airtight containers below 85°F (optimally 50°F to 70°F). Humidity levels greater than 60% may cause dry foods to absorb moisture, resulting in caked and staled products. Canned goods stored in high humidity may ultimately rust, resulting in leaky cans. Discard canned goods that are swollen, badly dented, rusted, and/or leaking.

Food that is not stored at the recommended temperature will spoil. You will know it has spoiled because of any off-odors, off-flavors, off-color, and/or soft texture. For instance, spoiled milk exhibits a fruity off-odor, acid taste, and may curdle. Spoiled fresh fruits and vegetables may exhibit an off-color and soft texture. Slime on the surface of meat, poultry, and fish indicates spoilage. Mold on the surface of dairy products indicates spoilage.

When you take foods out of the refrigerator or freezer, leave them out for no more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if the ambient temperature is above 90°F).

Discard all refrigerated and frozen foods that may have been at room temperature more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if the ambient temperature is above 90°F).

To ensure your food stored is consumed at the highest quality, practice FIFO (First-In-First-Out). When stocking food storage areas, place recently purchased items behind the existing food items. If you shop or receive food from multiple sources, you may need to check the dates printed on the package so you know where to put your food in that order.

We recommend that you portion leftovers of prepared foods in clean, sanitized, shallow containers that you cover, label, and date (for example, by writing on a piece of masking or painters tape). Generally, leftovers should be discarded after 3-4 days in the refrigerator. You could also freeze leftovers to eat them later.

For safety, always store food separate from non-food items such as household cleaners, and insecticides. Contamination of food or eating utensils with a household cleaner or insecticide could result in a chemical poisoning.

What To Do When The Power Goes Out

When the power goes out in the home, do not open your refrigerator or freezer. Refrigerators and freezers are insulated, aiding in keeping foods cold without active cooling. However, if the refrigerator or freezer door is opened, that cooling effect will be lost.

Perishable refrigerated foods (i.e. meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, and cut fruits and vegetables) should be discarded after a 4-hour period. Food stored in fully loaded freezers may last for approximately two days (48 hours), whereas food stored in partially loaded freezers may last for only one day (24 hours).

Freezer foods may be refrozen if ice crystals are present or if it is at 40°F or lower. However, quality may be diminished. If in doubt about the safety of any food stored in a refrigerator or freezer after the power goes out, do not eat it.

If the power is not going to be restored in enough time, you could consider loading your refrigerator or freezer with ice or dry ice to keep the foods appropriately cold. Or, you could move foods into an insulated cooler filled with ice or dry ice. If you use dry ice, be careful not to handle it with bare hands or breathe the vapors.

Recommended Storage For Various Foods

Breads, Cereals, Flour and Rice

Bread should be stored in the original package at room temperature. However, bread stored in the refrigerator may be firmer and will have a longer shelf-life due to delayed mold growth. Refrigerate cream-filled bakery goods containing eggs, cream cheese, whipped cream and/or custards.

Cereals may be stored at room temperature in tightly closed containers to keep out moisture and insects.

Whole wheat flour and other whole grains may be stored in the refrigerator or freezer to extend shelf- life by protecting the naturally present oil from becoming rancid.

Store raw white rice in tightly closed containers at room temperature and use within one year. Brown and wild rice stored at room temperature will have a shorter shelf-life due to the naturally present oil becoming rancid. Shelf-life of rice may be extended by refrigeration or freezing.

Fresh, Whole Vegetables

Removing air (oxygen) from the package, storing the vegetables at 40°F refrigerated temperatures, and maintaining optimum humidity (95 to 100%) may extend shelf-life of fresh vegetables. Most fresh vegetables may be stored up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Proper storage of fresh vegetables will maintain quality and nutritive value. Always store fresh vegetables in a separate storage area in the refrigerator, to avoid any odor transfer or bacterial contamination. Prior to consumption, rinse fresh vegetables under cold running water to remove possible pesticide residues, soil, and/or bacteria.

Root vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, etc.) and squashes, eggplant, and rutabagas should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated place between 50°F and 60°F.

Tomatoes continue to ripen after harvesting and should be stored at room temperature.

Removing the tops of carrots, radishes, and beets prior to refrigerator storage will reduce loss of moisture and extend shelf-life.

Palatability of corn diminishes during cold storage due to elevated starch content. Corn and peas should be stored in a ventilated container.

Lettuce should be rinsed under cold running water, drained, packaged in containers or bags, and refrigerated.

Processed Vegetables

Canned vegetables can be stored in a cool, dry area below 85°F (optimum 50°F to 70°F). Canned vegetables will remain safe to consumer after the use-by date, however overall quality and nutritional value may have diminished. Discard badly dented, swollen, and/or rusty cans.

Frozen vegetables may be stored in the freezer. Follow package instructions for thawing/cooking. Dehydrated vegetables should be stored in a cool, dry place in a sealed container or bag.

Fresh, Whole Fruit

In general, store fresh fruit in the refrigerator or in a cold area to extend shelf-life. Reduce loss of moisture from fresh fruit by using covered containers. Always store fresh fruit in a separate storage area in the refrigerator, to avoid any odor transfer or bacterial contamination. Prior to consumption, rinse fresh fruits under cold running water to remove possible pesticide residues, soil, and/or bacteria.

Ripe eating apples should be stored separately from other foods in the refrigerator and eaten within one month. Apples stored at room temperature will soften rapidly within a few days. Remember to remove apples that are bruised or decayed prior to storage in the refrigerator. Do not wash apples prior to storage.

Green pears and apricots should be ripened at room temperature and then stored in the refrigerator.

Unripe peaches and nectarines may be ripened at room temperature and ripe peaches and nectarines may be stored in the refrigerator. Consume peaches and nectarines at room temperature.

Grapes and plums can be stored in the refrigerator. Store unwashed grapes separately from other foods in the refrigerator and wash prior to consumption.

Ripe strawberries can be stored in the refrigerator separately from other foods. Strawberries should be washed and stemmed prior to consumption.

Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, and ripened oranges, can be stored in the refrigerator. Grapefruit may be stored at a slightly higher temperature of 50°F.

Melons, such as the honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and watermelon, may be ripened at room temperature. Store ripe melons in the refrigerator.

Avocados and bananas should be ripened at room temperature. Storing unripe bananas in the refrigerator will cause the bananas to rapidly darken.

Processed Fruit

Canned fruit and fruit juices may be stored in a cool, dry place below 85°F (optimum 50°F to 70°F). As with canned vegetables, canned fruits can be safely consumed after the printed use-by date, however overall quality and nutritional value may have diminished. Discard badly dented, bulging, rusty, or leaky cans. Dried fruits have a long shelf-life because moisture has been removed from the product.

Dairy Products

The shelf-life of fluid milk stored in the refrigerator (<40°F) will range from 8 to 20 days depending upon the date of manufacture and storage conditions in the grocery store. Milk is a very nutritious and highly perishable food. Milk should never be left at room temperature and always capped or closed during refrigerator storage. Freezing milk is not recommended, since the thawed milk easily separates and is susceptible to development of off- flavors.

Dry milk may be stored in airtight containers for one year. Opened containers of dry milk, especially whole milk products, should be stored at cold temperatures to reduce off-flavors. Handle reconstituted milk like fluid milk and store at refrigeration temperatures if not immediately used.

Canned evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk may be stored at room temperature. Refrigerate opened canned milk.

Natural and processed cheese should be kept tightly packaged in moisture-resistant wrappers and stored below 40°F. Surface mold growth on hard natural cheese may be removed with a clean knife and discarded. Rewrap cheese to prevent moisture loss.

Presence of mold growth in processed cheese, semi- soft cheese, and cottage cheese is an indicator of spoilage. These foods should be discarded.

Store commercial ice cream in the freezer. Immediately return opened ice cream to the freezer to prevent loss of moisture and development of ice crystals. Store ice cream at constant freezer temperatures to slow growth of ice crystals.

Meats, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs

Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are highly perishable and potentially hazardous due to their high moisture and high protein content. Generally, fresh cuts of meat, poultry, and fish contain spoilage bacteria on the surface that will grow, produce slime, and cause spoilage after 3 days of refrigerator storage in oxygen-permeable packaging film. For maximum storage in the freezer, wrap in moisture-proof, gas impermeable packaging to prevent freezer burn.

Raw meats should be stored on the lower shelves of the refrigerator. Refrigerator storage slows bacterial growth; however, the product will eventually spoil. Optimum storage temperature of refrigerated meats, including ground meat, is 33°F to 36°F.

Ground meat products are more susceptible to spoilage due to the manufacturing process and increased surface area of the product. Bacteria in ground meats are distributed throughout, providing rapid growth in the presence of air.

Cured meats, such as bacon, should be stored in their original packaging in the refrigerator. Cured meats have a tendency to become rancid when exposed to air. Therefore, rewrap cured meats after opening the package.

Vacuum-packaging (absence of air) and modified atmospheric packaging (partial removal of air) extends shelf-life of meats and meat products (i.e. luncheon meats). Freezing inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Poultry can be bought fresh or frozen. Raw poultry should be stored on the lower shelf of the refrigerator. Thaw poultry in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in the microwave.

Fresh fish, shrimp, and crab should be stored in the refrigerator (slightly above 32°F). Never store fresh fish in water due to leaching of nutrients, flavor, and pigments. Keep frozen fish, shrimp, and crab in the freezer until ready to use. Thaw according to package instructions.

Eggs should be purchased refrigerated and stored in the refrigerator (33°F to 37°F) in their original carton. Storage of eggs in the original carton reduces absorption of odors and flavors from other foods stored in the refrigerator. Shell eggs should never be stored in the freezer.

Leftover egg yolks and egg whites may be stored in the refrigerator. Cover egg yolks with water. Hard- boiled eggs, pasteurized liquid eggs, pasteurized liquid egg white, and pasteurized liquid egg substitute should be stored in the refrigerator. Egg whites, pasteurized liquid eggs, pasteurized liquid egg white, and pasteurized liquid egg substitute may also be frozen.

Water

Commercial bottled water has an extended shelf-life of one to two years due to extensive water treatment (filtration, demineralization, and ozonation) and strict environmental controls during manufacturing and packaging. Bottled water should be stored in a cool, dry place in the absence of sunlight. Household tap water has a limited shelf-life of only a few days due to the growth of microorganisms during storage. Therefore, consumers should purchase bottled water if planning to store water for extended periods.

References

FoodSafety.gov. 2023. FoodKeeper App. https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep-food-safe/foodkeeperapp

McCurdy, S., J. Peutz, and G. Whittman. 2009.

Storing Food for Safety and Quality. University of Idaho. https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/pnw612.pdf

USDA. 2021. Safe Food Handling and Preparation.

USDA , Food Safety and Inspection Service, Washington, D.C. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Tim Roberts, Paul Graham, and Julie McKinney for their contributions to previous editions of this publication.

Appendix 1. Food Storage Recommendations

The following tables provide general recommended storage times from date of purchase for various food products stored under optimum conditions. Storage generally is not recommended under conditions where no time is listed in the chart.

This chart does not include all foods. Please use/download the FoodKeeper App from the United States Department of Agriculture to find foods not included on this chart. The tables in this appendix include information about the following foods:

  1. Bread and cereal products (page 6)
  2. Dry goods, packaged foods, and mixes (page 7)
  3. Spices, herbs, condiments, and extracts (page 8)
  4. Other food staples (page 8)
  5. Vegetables (page 10)
  6. Fruits (page 11)
  7. Dairy (page 12)
  8. Meat (page 13)
  9. Fish and seafood (page 14)
  10. Poultry (page 15)
  11. Eggs (page 15)
  12. Wild game (page 16)

Please note the following code to interpret symbols within the charts:

  • * Opened
  • • + Cooked
  • ^ Refrigerate after opening
  • # After manufacture date

Table 3. Recommendations for storing spices, herbs, condiments, and extracts

Food

Pantry (Room Temperature)

Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F)

Freezer (32°F)

Ketchup, chili, or cocktail sauce

1 year

6 months*

-

Herbs

1-2 years

1-2 years

-

Herb/spice blends

6 months

-

-

Mustard

1-2 years

1 year*

-

Spices, ground

2-3 years

-

-

ٍSpices, ground

2-3 years*

-

-

Spices, whole

3-4 years

-

-

Spices, whole

3-4 years*

-

-

Vanilla extract

2 years

-

-

Vanilla extract

1 year*

-

-

Other extracts

2 years

-

-

Other extracts

1 year*

-

-

Table 4. Recommendations for storing other food staples

Food

Pantry (Room Temperature)

Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F)

Freezer (32°F)

Bacon bits

1 year

Package use-by date*

-

Baking powder

6-18 months

-

-

Baking powder

3-6 months*

-

-

Baking soda

2-3 years

-

-

Baking soda

6 months*

-

-

Bouillon (dry)

1 year

-

-

Bouillon (dry)

1 year*

-

-

Carbonated soft drinks (bottles or cans)

-

2-3 days*

-

Chocolate syrup

2 years

6 months*

-

Chocolate, semisweet and unsweetened

1-2 years

-

-

Chocolate, semisweet and unsweetened

1 year*

-

-

Cocoa mixes

Indefinitely

-

-

Cocoa mixes

1 year*

-

-

Coconut, shredded

1 year

8 months*

1 year

Coffee, ground

2 years

1 month*

6-12 months

Coffee, ground

2 weeks*

-

-

Coffee, instant

1 year

-

-

Coffee, instant

2-3 months*

-

-

Coffee, whole beans

3-5 months

3-4 months*

-

Coffee, whole beans

3-5 months*

-

-

Coffee creamer (liquid)

-

3 weeks

-

Coffee creamer (powdered)

2 years

1 year

-

Coffee creamer (powdered)

2-3 months*

-

-

Cornstarch

18-24 months

-

-

Cornstarch

18 months*

-

-

Gelatin

3 years

-

-

Honey

2 years

-

-

Jams, jellies, and preserves

6-18 months

6-12 months*

-

Syrup

1 year

6 months*

-

Marshmallows

1 year

-

-

Marshmallows

1 month*

-

-

Marshmallow cream

2-5 months

-

-

Marshmallow cream

1 month*

-

-

Mayonnaise

3-6 months

2 months

-

Molasses

1-2 years

-

-

Molasses

6 months*

-

-

Nuts, shelled

2-4 weeks

9-12 months

24 months

Nuts, unshelled

2-4 weeks

9-12 months

24 months

Oil, salad

6-12 months

4 months*

-

Oil, salad

3-5 months*

-

-

Parmesan grated cheese

-

1 year

-

Pasteurized process cheese spread

2 years

2 weeks*

3 months

Peanut butter

6-24 months

-

-

Peanut butter

2-3 months*

-

-

Popcorn, kernels

2 years

-

-

Popcorn, kernels

1 year*

-

-

Popcorn, microwave packets

6-12 months

-

-

Popcorn, microwave packets

1-2 days+

-

-

Popcorn, popped in bags

6-12 months

-

-

Popcorn, popped in bags

1-2 days+

-

-

Pectin

Package use-by date

-

-

Pectin

1 month*

-

-

Salad dressings, bottled

10-12 months

1-3 months*

-

Soft drinks

-

2-3 days*

-

Artificial sweetener

2 years

-

-

Artificial sweetener

Indefinitely

-

-

Sugar, brown

Indefinitely

-

-

Sugar, brown

18-24 months*

-

-

Sugar, confectioners

Indefinitely

-

-

Sugar, confectioners

18-24 months*

-

-

Sugar, granulated

Indefinitely

-

-

Sugar, granulated

18-24 months*

-

-

Tea bags

18-36 months

-

-

Tea bags

6-12 months*

-

-

Tea, instant

2-3 years

-

-

Tea, instant

6-12 months*

-

-

Vegetable oils

6 months

4 months*

-

Vegetable oils

3-5 months*

-

-

Vegetable shortening

1-2 years

-

-

Vegetable shortening

6-12 months*

-

-

Vinegar

2 years

-

-

Water, bottled

Indefinitely

-

-

Yeast, dry

2 years^

4 months*

6 months

Table 5. Recommendations for storing vegetables

Food

Pantry (Room Temperature)

Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F)

Freezer (32°F)

Asparagus

-

3-4 days

5 months

Beets

1 day

1-2 weeks

6-8 months

Broccoli

-

3-5 days

10-12 months

Brussels sprouts

-

3-5 days

10-12 months

Cabbage

-

1-2 weeks

10-12 months

Carrots, parsnips

-

2-3 weeks

10-12 months

Cauliflower

-

3-5 days

10-12 months

Celery

-

1-2 weeks

10-12 months

Corn (on the cob)

-

1-2 days

8 months

Cucumbers

-

4-6 days

-

Eggplant

1 day

4-7 days

6-8 months

Green beans

-

3-5 days

8 months

Green peas

-

3-5 days

8 months

Lettuce

-

1-2 weeks

-

Lima beans

-

3-5 days

8 months

Mushrooms

-

3-7 days

10-12 months

Onions, yellow, white, red, etc.

1 month

2 months

10-12 months

Onions, spring, green, etc.

1 month

1 week

10-12 months

Peppers

4-14 days

4-14 days

6-8 months

Pickles, canned

1 year

1-3 months*

-

Frozen potatoes

-

-

1 year

Sweet potatoes

2-3 weeks

-

-

White potatoes

1-2 months

1-2 weeks

10-12 months+

Potato chips

Package use-by date

-

-

Potato chips

1-2 weeks

-

-

Radishes

-

10-14 days

-

Rhubarb

-

3-7 days

-

Rutabagas

1 week

2-3 weeks

8-10 months

Snap beans

-

3-5 days

8 months

Spinach

-

3-7 days

-

Squash, Summer

1-5 days

4-5 days

10-12 months

Squash, Winter

2-6 weeks

1-3 months

10-12 months

Tomatoes

Until ripe

-

2 months

Turnips

-

2 weeks

8-10 months

Commercial baby food, jars

-

2 days

-

Canned vegetables

2-5 years

3-4 days

-

Canned vegetables, pickled

1 year

1-2 months*

-

Dried vegetables

1 year

-

-

Frozen vegetables

-

3-4 days+

10-18 months

Vegetable soup

2-5 years

3-4 days

-

Table 6. Recommendations for storing fruits

Food

Pantry (Room Temperature)

Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F)

Freezer (32°F)

Apples

3 weeks

4-6 months

8 months+

Apricots

Until ripe

2-5 days

-

Avocados

Until ripe

3-4 days

-

Bananas

Until ripe

3 days

2-3 months

Berries

-

3-6 days

1 year

Canned fruit and fruit juices

12-18 months

5-7 days*

-

Cherries

-

1 week

1 year

Citrus fruit

10 days

10-21 days

-

Dried fruit

6 months

6 months*

-

Dried fruit

1 month

-

-

Frozen fruit

-

-

10-18 months

Fruit juice concentrate

-

-

2 years

Fruit, pre-cut, fresh

-

Package use-by date

1 year

Fruit, pre-cut, fresh

-

4 days*

-

Grapes

1 day

1 week

1 month

Melons

Until ripe

2 weeks

1 month

Melons

-

2-4 days

-

Nectarines

Until ripe

3-5 days

2 months

Peaches

Until ripe

3-5 days

2 months

Pears

Until ripe

3-5 days

2 months

Pineapple

Until ripe

5-7 days

10-12 months

Plums

Until ripe

3-5 days

2 months

Table 7. Recommendations for storing dairy products

Food

Pantry (Room Temperature)

Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F)

Freezer (32°F)

Butter

1-2 days

1-2 months

6-9 months

Buttermilk

-

1-2 weeks

3 months

Cottage cheese

-

2 weeks

-

Cottage cheese

-

1 week*

-

Cream cheese

-

2 weeks

-

Cream, heavy

-

10 days

3-4 months

Cream, light

-

1 week

3-4 months

Eggnog commercial

-

3-5 days

6 months

Half-and-half

-

3-4 days

4 months

Margarine

-

6 months

1 year

Milk, Canned condensed or evaporated

1 year

4-5 days

-

Milk, fresh

-

Package use-by date

3 months

Milk, powdered

3-5 years

-

-

Milk, powdered

3 months

-

-

Milk, shelf-stable

6-12 months

5-7 days

-

Milk, ultra-pasteurized

-

1-3 months

-

Milk, ultra-pasteurized

-

7-10 days*

-

Ice cream and sherbet

-

-

6 months

Hard natural cheese (e.g. cheddar, Swiss)

6 months

6 months

6 months

Hard natural cheese (e.g. cheddar, Swiss)

3-4 weeks*

3-4 weeks*

-

Non-dairy milk (almond, coconut, rice, soy, etc.)

-

Package use-by date

-

Non-dairy milk (almond, coconut, rice, soy, etc.)

-

7-10 days*

-

Processed cheese

-

3-4 weeks

-

Soft cheese (e.g. brie)

1-2 weeks

1-2 weeks

6 months

Pudding

-

Package use-by date

-

Pudding

-

2 days*

-

Snack dips

-

2 weeks

-

Sour cream

-

Package use-by date

-

Non-dairy whipped cream, tub

-

2 weeks

14 months

Real whipped cream, canned

-

3-4 weeks

-

Yogurt

-

1-2 weeks

1-2 months

Table 8. Recommendations for storing meats

Food

Pantry (Room Temperature)

Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F)

Freezer (32°F)

Fresh beef and bison steaks

-

3-5 days

-

Fresh beef and bison roasts

-

3-5 days

-

Fresh pork chops

-

3-5 days

-

Fresh lamb chops

-

3-5 days

-

Fresh veal

-

3-5 days

-

Fresh ground meat (e.g. beef, bison, veal, lamb)

-

1-2 days

-

Cooked meat and meat dishes

-

3-4 days+

2-3 months+

Ham, whole bone-in fully cooked

-

1 week

1-2 months

Ham, canned

6-9 months

5-14 days*

-

Ham, canned “keep refrigerated”

-

6-9 months

-

Ham, canned "keep refrigerated"

-

-

-

Shelf-stable unopened canned meat (e.g. chili, deviled ham, corn beef)

2-5 years

3-4 days*

-

Ham, cook before eating

-

1 week

1-2 months

Ham, uncured, cook before eating

-

3-5 days

6 months

Ham, uncured, cooked

-

3-4 days

3-4 months

Ham, dry-cured

-

1 week

1-2 months

Ham salad, store prepared or homemade

-

3-4 days

-

Bacon, raw

-

1 week

1 month

Bacon, raw

-

1 week*

-

Bacon, fully cooked

6 months

5-14 days*

-

Bacon, fully cooked

-

-

-

Corned beef, uncooked

-

5-7 days

1 month

Sausage, fresh

-

1-2 days

1-2 months

Smoked breakfast sausage links, patties

-

1 week

1-2 months

Sausage, smoked (e.g. kielbasa)

-

1 week

1-2 months

Sausage, semi-dry (e.g. Summer sausage)

-

2-3 weeks*

6 months

Sausage, dry smoked (e.g. Pepperoni, jerky, dry Salami)

-

2-3 weeks

1-2 months

Frankfurters, bologna

-

2 weeks

1-2 months

Frankfurters, bologna

-

1 week*

-

Luncheon meat

-

2 weeks

1-2 months

Luncheon meat

-

3-5 days*

-

Meat gravies

-

3-4 days

6 months

TV beef and pork dinners

18 months#

-

6 months

Meat based casseroles

-

3-4 days

-

Variety meats (giblets, tongue, liver, heart, etc.)

-

1-2 days

3-4 months

Table 9. Recommendations for storing fish and seafood

Food

Pantry (Room Temperature)

Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F)

Freezer (32°F)

Breaded fish

-

-

18 months

Canned fish

2-5 years

3-4 days*

-

Cooked fish or seafood

-

3-4 days

-

Lean fish (e.g. cod, flounder, haddock)

-

1-2 days

-

Fatty fish (e.g. bluefish, salmon, mackerel)

-

1-2 days

-

Smoked fish

-

14 days

2 months

Seafood, crab

-

1-2 days

-

Seafood, lobster in shell

-

1 day

1-2 months

Seafood, clams, mussels, and oysters

-

5-10 days

6-8 months

Seafood, shrimp

-

3-4 days

2-3 months

Seafood, shucked clams, mussels, and oysters

-

3-10 days

-

Tuna salad, store prepared or homemade

3-4 days

-

-

Table 10. Recommendations for storing poultry

Food

Pantry (Room Temperature)

Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F)

Freezer (32°F)

Chicken nuggets or patties

-

1-3 months

-

Chicken livers

-

1-2 days

-

Chicken and poultry TV dinners

-

-

3-4 months

Canned poultry

5 years

3-4 days*

3-4 months

Cooked poultry

-

3-4 days

-

Fresh poultry

-

1-2 days

-

Frozen poultry parts

-

-

9 months

Poultry pies, stews, and gravies

-

3-4 days+

6 months+

Poultry salads, store prepared or homemade

-

3-5 days

-

Poultry stuffing, cooked

-

3-4 days

4-6 months

Table 11. Recommendations for storing eggs

Food

Pantry (Room Temperature)

Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F)

Freezer (32°F)

Eggs, in shell

-

3-5 weeks

1 year

Eggs, hard-boiled, peeled and cooked

-

1 week

-

Eggs, pasteurized, liquid

-

10 days

1 year

Eggs, pasteurized, liquid

-

3 days*

-

Egg substitute

-

10 days

1 year

Egg substitute

-

3 days*

-

Egg yolks (covered in water)

-

2-4 days

1 year

Egg whites
(For each cup of egg yolk add 1 Tbs. of sugar or salt)

-

2-4 days

1 year

Egg whites
(For each cup of egg yolk add 1 Tbs. of sugar or salt)

-

-

-

Egg whites
(For each cup of egg yolk add 1 Tbs. of sugar or salt)

-

-

-

 
Table 12. Recommendations for storing wild game
Food Pantry (Room Temperature) Refrigerator (33°F to 40°F) Freezer (32°F)
Game birds - 2 days 6 months
Small game (rabbit, squirrel, etc.) - 2 days 1 year
venison ground meat - 5 days 6 months
Venison steaks and roasts - 1 week 1 year

Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Publication Date

July 18, 2023