Food Safety Information

Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer

Category
Food
Refrigerator
(40°F or below)
Freezer
(0°F or below)
Salads
  • Egg, chicken, ham, tuna, and macaroni salads
  • 3 to 5 days
  • Does not freeze well
Hot dogs
  • opened package
  • unopened package
  • 1 week
  • 2 weeks
  • 1 to 2 months
  • 1 to 2 months
Luncheon Meat
  • opened package or deli sliced
  • unopened package
  • 3 to 5 days
  • 2 weeks
  • 1 to 2 months
  • 1 to 2 months
Bacon and Sausage
  • Bacon
  • Sausage, raw - from chicken, turkey, pork, beef
  • 7 days
  • 1 to 2 days
  • 1 month
  • 1 to 2 months
Hamburger and Other Ground Meats
  • Hamburger, ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, and mixtures of them
  • 1 to 2 days
  • 3 to 4 months
Fresh Beef, Veal, Lamb, and Pork
  • Steaks
  • Chops
  • Roasts
  • 3 to 5 days
  • 3 to 5 days
  • 3 to 5 days
  • 6 to 12 months
  • 4 to 6 months
  • 4 to 12 months
Fresh Poultry
  • Chicken or turkey, whole
  • Chicken or turkey, pieces
  • 1 to 2 days
  • 1 to 2 days
  • 1 year
  • 9 months
Soups and Stews
  • Vegetable or meat added
  • 3 to 4 days
  • 2 to 3 months
Leftovers
  • Cooked meat or poultry
  • Chicken nuggets or patties
  • Pizza
  • 3 to 4 days
  • 3 to 4 days
  • 3 to 4 days
  • 2 to 6 months
  • 1 to 3 months
  • 1 to 2 months