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How long does food last? Fridge, freezer and pantry storage times

The table lists how long 100 common foods keep in the pantry, the fridge and the freezer, before and after opening. Type a food in the filter to find it. Every figure comes from the USDA FoodKeeper data.

These are the guidelines of US government agencies (USDA, FDA). Rules and labels differ by country, so follow the date on your package ("use by", "best before", expiry date) and your local authority first, and use this table for the rest.

Fridge means 40 °F (4 °C) or colder, freezer 0 °F (−18 °C) or colder, pantry means a cool, dry cupboard at room temperature.

An empty cell means FoodKeeper gives no figure for that case. "Package use-by date" means the date printed on the pack applies. Freezer times are how long the food keeps its best quality. When you are unsure how a food was stored, do not take a chance: throw it out.

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Dairy and eggs

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Milk FoodKeeper #27	–	–	Package use-by date	–	3 months
Butter FoodKeeper #1	–	–	1–2 months	–	6–9 months
Hard cheese (cheddar, Swiss, parmesan block) FoodKeeper #3	–	–	6 months	3–4 weeks	6 months
Soft cheese (brie, goat cheese) FoodKeeper #7	–	–	1–2 weeks	–	6 months
Shredded cheese FoodKeeper #5	–	–	1 month	–	3–4 months
Cream cheese FoodKeeper #10	–	–	2 weeks	–	Not recommended
Yogurt FoodKeeper #33	–	–	1–2 weeks	–	1–2 months
Sour cream FoodKeeper #29	–	–	Package use-by date	–	Not recommended
Eggs in the shell FoodKeeper #21	–	–	3–5 weeks	–	Not recommended
Hard-boiled eggs FoodKeeper #23	–	–	1 week	–	Not recommended

Meat and poultry

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Beef steaks FoodKeeper #40	–	–	3–5 days	–	4–12 months
Beef roast (round or rump) FoodKeeper #36	–	–	3–5 days	–	4–12 months
Ground beef FoodKeeper #43	–	–	1–2 days	–	3–4 months
Pork chops (bone-in loin) FoodKeeper #63	–	–	3–5 days	–	4–12 months
Ground pork FoodKeeper #73	–	–	1–2 days	–	3–4 months
Whole chicken FoodKeeper #113	–	–	1–2 days	–	12 months
Chicken breast (boneless) FoodKeeper #117	–	–	1–2 days	–	9 months
Ground chicken or turkey FoodKeeper #115	–	–	1–2 days	–	3–4 months
Rotisserie chicken (cooked) FoodKeeper #141	–	–	3–4 days	–	4 months
Bacon FoodKeeper #79	–	–	1 week	1 week	1 month
Hot dogs FoodKeeper #98	–	–	2 weeks	1 week	1–2 months
Sliced ham (fully cooked) FoodKeeper #85	–	–	3–4 days	–	1–2 months
Packaged lunch meat FoodKeeper #192	–	–	2 weeks	3–5 days	1–2 months

Fish and seafood

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Lean fish (cod, haddock, sole) FoodKeeper #144	–	–	1–2 days	–	6–8 months
Fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel) FoodKeeper #146	–	–	1–2 days	–	2–3 months
Shrimp FoodKeeper #151	–	–	1–3 days	–	6–18 months
Scallops FoodKeeper #150	–	–	1–3 days	–	6–18 months
Cooked fish FoodKeeper #148	–	–	3–4 days	–	1–2 months
Hot-smoked fish FoodKeeper #164	–	–	14–45 days	–	9–12 months

Fruit

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Apples FoodKeeper #248	3 weeks	–	4–6 weeks	–	8 months
Bananas FoodKeeper #251	Until ripe	–	3 days	–	2–3 months
Avocados FoodKeeper #250	Until ripe	–	3–4 days	–	Not recommended
Blueberries FoodKeeper #254	–	–	1–2 weeks	–	8–12 months
Blackberries and currants FoodKeeper #253	–	–	3–6 days	–	12 months
Citrus (lemon, lime, orange, mandarin) FoodKeeper #256	10 days	–	10–21 days	–	Not recommended
Grapes FoodKeeper #261	1 day	–	1 week	–	1 month
Melons FoodKeeper #264	Until ripe	–	2 weeks	2–4 days	1 month
Pineapple FoodKeeper #267	Until ripe	–	5–7 days	–	10–12 months
Peaches, nectarines, plums and pears FoodKeeper #266	Until ripe	–	3–5 days	–	2 months

Vegetables

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Asparagus FoodKeeper #271	–	–	3–4 days	–	5 months
Broccoli FoodKeeper #276	–	–	3–5 days	–	10–12 months
Cabbage FoodKeeper #278	–	–	1–2 weeks	–	10–12 months
Carrots and parsnips FoodKeeper #279	–	–	2–3 weeks	–	10–12 months
Cauliflower FoodKeeper #280	–	–	3–5 days	–	10–12 months
Cucumbers FoodKeeper #283	–	–	4–6 days	–	Not recommended
Garlic (whole bulbs) FoodKeeper #285	1 month	–	3–14 days	–	1 month
Iceberg and romaine lettuce FoodKeeper #290	–	–	1–2 weeks	–	Not recommended
Leaf lettuce and spinach FoodKeeper #291	–	–	3–7 days	–	Not recommended
Mushrooms FoodKeeper #292	–	–	3–7 days	–	10–12 months
Onions (yellow, white, red) FoodKeeper #294	1 month	–	2 months	–	10–12 months
Peppers FoodKeeper #296	–	–	4–14 days	–	6–8 months
Potatoes FoodKeeper #297	1–2 months	–	1–2 weeks	–	10–12 months
Sweet potatoes FoodKeeper #422	2–3 weeks	–	–	–	–
Zucchini and summer squash FoodKeeper #302	1–5 days	–	4–5 days	–	10–12 months
Winter squash FoodKeeper #303	2–6 weeks	–	1–3 months	–	10–12 months
Tomatoes FoodKeeper #306	Until ripe	–	–	–	2 months

Bread and baked goods

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Bread, rolls and buns (store-bought) FoodKeeper #195	14–18 days	–	–	2–3 weeks	3–5 months
Flour tortillas FoodKeeper #196	3 months	–	–	3 months	6 months
Store-bought cake and muffins FoodKeeper #197	3–7 days	–	–	7–10 days	6 months

Dry goods and baking

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
White rice FoodKeeper #338	2 years	1 year	–	6 months	–
Brown rice FoodKeeper #339	1 year	1 year	–	6 months	–
Dry pasta FoodKeeper #335	2 years	1 year	–	–	–
White flour FoodKeeper #222	6–12 months	6–8 months	–	1 year	–
Granulated sugar FoodKeeper #240	Indefinitely	18–24 months	–	–	–
Honey FoodKeeper #345	2 years	–	–	–	–
Ready-to-eat cereal FoodKeeper #374	6–12 months	2–3 months	–	–	–
Olive and vegetable oil FoodKeeper #227	6–12 months	3–5 months	–	4 months	–
Peanut butter FoodKeeper #387	6–24 months	2–3 months	–	–	–
Ground spices FoodKeeper #238	2–3 years	2–3 years	–	–	–
Dried beans FoodKeeper #333	1–2 years	1 year	–	–	–
Coffee beans FoodKeeper #400	3–5 months	3–5 months	–	3–4 months	–
Tea bags FoodKeeper #410	18–36 months	6–12 months	–	–	–

Sauces and condiments

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Ketchup FoodKeeper #348	1 year	–	–	6 months	–
Mustard FoodKeeper #351	1–2 years	–	–	1 year	–
Mayonnaise FoodKeeper #350	3–6 months	–	–	2 months	–
Soy sauce FoodKeeper #360	3 years	–	–	1 month	–
Bottled salad dressing FoodKeeper #356	10–12 months	–	–	1–3 months	–
Jam and jelly FoodKeeper #347	6–18 months	–	–	6–12 months	–
Salsa FoodKeeper #357	1 year	–	–	1 month	–
Pasta sauce (jar) FoodKeeper #359	18 months	–	–	4 days	–
Pickles FoodKeeper #353	1 year	–	–	1–3 months	–
Hummus (store-bought) FoodKeeper #181	–	–	3 months	7 days	Not recommended

Drinks

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Juice in cartons FoodKeeper #404	3 weeks	7–12 days	–	8–12 days	–
Soy milk FoodKeeper #421	–	–	Package use-by date	7–10 days	–
Bottled water FoodKeeper #413	Indefinitely	–	–	–	–

Canned goods

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Canned soup, meat, beans and vegetables (low acid) FoodKeeper #372	2–5 years	Not recommended	–	3–4 days	–
Canned fruit, tomatoes and pickles (high acid) FoodKeeper #373	12–18 months	Not recommended	–	5–7 days	–
Applesauce (store-bought) FoodKeeper #370	12–18 months	Not recommended	–	7–10 days	–
Evaporated or condensed milk (can) FoodKeeper #383	12 months	–	–	4–5 days	–

Frozen foods

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Ice cream FoodKeeper #317	–	–	–	–	6 months
Frozen vegetables FoodKeeper #331	–	–	–	–	10–18 months
Frozen fruit FoodKeeper #315	–	–	–	–	10–18 months
Frozen ready meals FoodKeeper #330	–	–	–	–	12 months

Leftovers and prepared foods

Food	Pantry (unopened)	Pantry (opened)	Fridge (unopened)	Fridge (opened)	Freezer
Leftovers with meat, fish, poultry or egg FoodKeeper #173	–	–	3–4 days	–	2–3 months
Leftovers without meat (cooked vegetables, rice, potatoes) FoodKeeper #174	–	–	3–4 days	–	1–2 months
Leftover pizza FoodKeeper #175	–	–	3–4 days	–	1–2 months
Cooked pasta FoodKeeper #177	–	–	3–5 days	–	1–2 months
Cooked rice FoodKeeper #178	–	–	4–6 days	–	6 months
Soups and stews FoodKeeper #193	–	–	3–4 days	–	2–3 months
Tofu FoodKeeper #168	–	–	1 week	–	5 months

Pick a food and where you keep it, and Otto! suggests an expiration date. The whole family sees the same list, so nobody has to ask "is this still good?"

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FAQ

How long does food last in the fridge?

It depends on the food. In the USDA FoodKeeper data, raw ground beef, pork and poultry keep 1–2 days, steaks, chops and roasts 3–5 days, fish 1–2 days, eggs in the shell 3–5 weeks, hard-boiled eggs 1 week, and cooked leftovers 3–4 days. Milk and sour cream follow the use-by date on the package. The fridge should be at 40 °F (4 °C) or colder.

How long can food stay in the freezer?

The freezer column shows how long FoodKeeper recommends keeping each food frozen: ground beef 3–4 months, steaks 4–12 months, a whole chicken 12 months, butter 6–9 months, bread 3–5 months and ice cream 6 months. The freezer should be at 0 °F (−18 °C) or colder. Some foods, such as eggs in the shell, cream cheese and lettuce, are marked as not recommended for freezing.

How long does food last after opening?

Opened sauces keep for much less time than a sealed jar. FoodKeeper gives, for example, mayonnaise 2 months in the fridge, ketchup 6 months, mustard 1 year, salad dressing 1–3 months, soy sauce 1 month and pasta sauce 4 days. Opened low-acid canned food (soup, beans, vegetables) keeps 3–4 days in the fridge and high-acid canned food (fruit, tomato) 5–7 days; FoodKeeper does not recommend keeping an opened can in the pantry.

Do these times apply outside the United States?

They are the guidance of US agencies, and other countries set their own rules and label wording (use by, best before, expiry date). Use this table as a general guide for how long a food keeps when stored at fridge and freezer temperatures, and follow the date on your package and your local authority when they differ.

Sources

Storage times are taken from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service FoodKeeper data (public domain), checked on October 22, 2026. Each food links to its record number in that data. The fridge and freezer temperatures are from the FDA.

Stop guessing what is still good

Otto! is a free app for iPhone and Android that keeps your fridge, freezer and pantry in one list with expiration dates, sorted by what to use first. Invite your family with a code and share the shopping list too.

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