USDA-based guidance

All foods

Every food page on this site, grouped by category and listed A–Z. Open a page for fridge, freezer, and pantry windows — we do not invent numbers; they come from FoodSafety.gov and USDA FSIS. Cross-cutting rules live in the FAQ and guides.

Meat & Poultry Seafood Dairy & Eggs Leftovers & Cooked Food Produce Pantry & Condiments Browse by category A–Z

Meat & Poultry

Category page →

Chicken, beef, pork, turkey, and processed meats — how long they keep raw, cooked, and frozen.

Bacon fridge 1 week · freezer 1 month standard windows Beef Roast fridge 3–5 days · freezer 4–12 months standard windows Chicken fridge 1–2 days · freezer 9 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Cooked Chicken fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–6 months standard windows Deli Meat fridge 3–5 days · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Ground Beef fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–4 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Ground Chicken fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–4 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Ground Lamb fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–4 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Ground Pork fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–4 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Ground Turkey fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–4 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Ham fridge 3–5 days · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Hamburger Patties fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–4 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Hot Dogs fridge 1 week · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Lamb Chops fridge 3–5 days · freezer 4–12 months standard windows Pork Chops fridge 3–5 days · freezer 4–12 months standard windows Pork Roast fridge 3–5 days · freezer 4–12 months standard windows Prosciutto fridge 2–3 months · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Sausage fridge 1–2 days · freezer 1–2 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Smoked Sausage fridge 1 week · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Steak fridge 3–5 days · freezer 4–12 months standard windows Turkey fridge 1–2 days · freezer 1 year spoils fast — cook or freeze Veal fridge 3–5 days · freezer 4–12 months standard windows

22 foods in Meat & Poultry

Seafood

Category page →

Fish and shellfish spoil fast. Storage windows for raw, cooked, and canned seafood.

Canned Tuna fridge 3–4 days · freezer 3 months standard windows Catfish fridge 1–3 days · freezer 2–3 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Clams fridge Live: while alive · freezer Shucked 3–4 months standard windows Cod fridge 1–3 days · freezer 6–8 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Crab fridge 2–4 days · freezer 2–4 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Fish fridge 1–3 days · freezer 6–8 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Flounder fridge 1–3 days · freezer 6–8 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Fresh Tuna fridge 1–3 days · freezer 2–3 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Haddock fridge 1–3 days · freezer 6–8 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Halibut fridge 1–3 days · freezer 6–8 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Lobster fridge Cook live same day; cooked 3–4 days · freezer Cooked meat ~3 months standard windows Mackerel fridge 1–3 days · freezer 2–3 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Mussels fridge Live: while alive · freezer Shucked 3–4 months standard windows Oysters fridge Live: while alive; shucked: 1–2 days · freezer Shucked 3–4 months standard windows Salmon fridge 1–3 days · freezer 2–3 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Scallops fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–6 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Shrimp fridge 3–5 days · freezer 6–18 months standard windows Squid fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–6 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Tilapia fridge 1–3 days · freezer 6–8 months spoils fast — cook or freeze

19 foods in Seafood

Dairy & Eggs

Category page →

Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and eggs — opened and unopened storage times.

Blue Cheese fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 6 months standard windows Butter fridge 1–2 months · freezer 6–9 months standard windows Cheddar fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 6 months standard windows Cheese fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 6 months standard windows Cottage Cheese fridge ~1 week · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Cream Cheese fridge 2 weeks · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Egg Substitute fridge ~10 days · freezer Verify exact timing on package standard windows Eggnog fridge 3–5 days · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Eggs fridge 3–5 weeks · freezer Do not freeze in shell standard windows Feta fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Ghee fridge 1 year · freezer Not needed standard windows Goat Cheese fridge ~1 week · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Half-and-Half fridge 3–4 days · freezer 4 months standard windows Hard-Boiled Eggs fridge 1 week · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Heavy Cream fridge 10 days · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Milk fridge ~1 week after opening · freezer 3 months standard windows Mozzarella fridge ~1 week · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Parmesan fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 6 months standard windows Ricotta fridge 5–7 days · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Sour Cream fridge 1–3 weeks · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Swiss Cheese fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 6 months standard windows Tofu fridge 3–5 days · freezer ~5 months standard windows Yogurt fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 1–2 months standard windows

23 foods in Dairy & Eggs

Leftovers & Cooked Food

Category page →

Cooked rice, pasta, pizza, soup, and general leftovers. Most follow the 3–4 day rule.

Casserole fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Chicken Nuggets fridge 1–2 days · freezer 1–3 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Chicken Salad fridge 3–4 days · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Chiffon Pie fridge 1–2 days · freezer Quality varies — verify exact timing spoils fast — cook or freeze Chili fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Cooked Pasta fridge 3–4 days · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Cooked Rice fridge 3–4 days · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Custard Pie fridge 3–4 days · freezer Quality varies — verify exact timing standard windows Egg Salad fridge 3–4 days · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Fried Rice fridge 3–4 days · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Gravy fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Ham Salad fridge 3–4 days · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Lasagna fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Leftovers fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–6 months standard windows Mac and Cheese fridge 3–4 days · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Macaroni Salad fridge 3–4 days · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Mashed Potatoes fridge 3–4 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Pecan Pie fridge 3–4 days · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Pizza fridge 3–4 days · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Pumpkin Pie fridge 3–4 days · freezer Quality varies — verify exact timing standard windows Quiche fridge 3–4 days · freezer 1–2 months standard windows Sandwiches fridge 3–4 days · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows Soup fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Stew fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Tuna Salad fridge 3–4 days · freezer Does not freeze well standard windows

25 foods in Leftovers & Cooked Food

Produce

Category page →

Fruits and vegetables — counter vs. fridge, whole vs. cut, and when to toss.

Apples fridge 4–6 weeks · freezer Sliced, 8 months standard windows Arugula fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Asparagus fridge 3–4 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Avocado fridge 3–4 days · freezer Purée only, 3–4 months standard windows Bananas fridge ~3 days once ripe · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Bell Peppers fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Berries fridge 3–7 days · freezer 8–12 months standard windows Blueberries fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 8–12 months standard windows Broccoli fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Brussels Sprouts fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Cabbage fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Cantaloupe fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer Not recommended whole standard windows Carrots fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Cauliflower fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Celery fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Cherries fridge 4–7 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Cucumbers fridge ~1 week · freezer Not recommended standard windows Fresh Herbs fridge 3–7 days · freezer 4–6 months standard windows Garlic fridge 1 week · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Ginger fridge ~3 weeks · freezer 6 months standard windows Grapes fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Green Beans fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Guacamole fridge 1–2 days · freezer 3–4 months spoils fast — cook or freeze Honeydew fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer Not recommended whole standard windows Kale fridge 3–7 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Lemons fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Lettuce fridge 3–7 days · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Limes fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Mushrooms fridge 4–7 days · freezer Cook first; 10–12 months standard windows Onions fridge 2 months · freezer Do not freeze whole standard windows Oranges fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Peaches fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Pears fridge 3–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Potatoes fridge Not recommended · freezer Do not freeze raw standard windows Spinach fridge 3–7 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows Strawberries fridge 3–7 days · freezer 8–12 months standard windows Tomatoes fridge Up to 1 week · freezer 2 months standard windows Watermelon fridge 2–3 weeks · freezer Not recommended whole standard windows Zucchini fridge 4–5 days · freezer 10–12 months standard windows

39 foods in Produce

Pantry & Condiments

Category page →

Bread, mayo, ketchup, and other staples — what actually needs refrigeration after opening.

Almond Butter fridge 6–9 months · freezer Not needed standard windows Apple Juice fridge 7–10 days · freezer 8–12 months standard windows Bagels fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 3 months standard windows Barbecue Sauce fridge 4 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Bread fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 3 months standard windows Canned Beans fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Canned Chicken fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Cooked Oatmeal fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Cooked Quinoa fridge 3–4 days · freezer 2–3 months standard windows Hummus fridge 4–6 days · freezer ~4 months standard windows Jam fridge 6–12 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Ketchup fridge 6 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Maple Syrup fridge Indefinite · freezer Indefinite standard windows Mayonnaise fridge ~2 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Mustard fridge 1 year · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Olive Oil fridge Longer than pantry · freezer Not needed standard windows Olives fridge 2 weeks · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Orange Juice fridge 7–10 days · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Pasta Sauce fridge 5–7 days · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Peanut Butter fridge 6–9 months · freezer Not needed standard windows Pesto fridge ~1 week · freezer 3–4 months standard windows Pickles fridge 1–2 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Pita fridge 1–2 weeks · freezer 3 months standard windows Ranch Dressing fridge 1–3 months · freezer Do not freeze standard windows Salsa fridge ~1 month · freezer Texture suffers; not recommended standard windows Tempeh fridge Printed date · freezer ~12 months standard windows Tortillas fridge 3–4 weeks · freezer 6–8 months standard windows

27 foods in Pantry & Condiments

Browse by category

Head-term hubs that point to the right individual food pages — for example raw vs cooked chicken, or fish vs shellfish. Leaf pages such as turkey and fish stay in the A–Z list.

A–Z

Same 155 foods in alphabetical order. Jump to a letter, then open the food page.

A

B

D

Deli Meat

E

F

G

H

J

Jam

K

L

M

O

P

Q

Quiche

R

S

T

V

Veal

W

Watermelon

Y

Yogurt

Z

Zucchini

155 foods total