The Ultimate Food Storage Cheat Sheet!

The Ultimate Food Storage Cheat Sheet!

It's hard to know exactly when food passes that magical barrier between good and gone bad, tasty and disgusting. Expiration dates tell us one thing, while experience whispers another. Most of the time we manage, but sometimes we just leave the food in and forget to take it out, and not only does it go bad but it stinks up the whole fridge! For that reason, we've gathered for you the most comprehensive cheat sheet, so you will know once and for all - when will my food go bad?

Food Item	Room Temperature (70° F)	Refrigerator (37° to 40° F)	Freezer (0 °F)	Comments
Breads
Dough
Tube cans of rolls, biscuits, pizza dough, etc.		Use-by-date	Don't freeze
Ready-to-bake pie crust		Use-by-date	2 months
Cookie dough		Use-by-date unopened or opened	2 months
Breads, fresh	Store at room temperature. Use the date as a guide or use within 3 to 5 days.	Storing in the refrigerator promotes staling.	3 months	Over wrap well to prevent drying out; thaw at room temperature
Bread and rolls, unbaked dough		1 to 2 days	2 months	Sometimes dough doesn't rise as well if frozen
Muffins, rolls, quick breads		3 days	1 to 2 months	Wrap individually, pick in rigid containers to prevent crushing
Pancakes and waffles		2 days	1 to 2 months	Freeze with waxed paper between each two. Heat without thawing in a toaster or under broiler
Pastries, Danish, Doughnuts		Store at room temperature.  Best used within 1 to 3 days	3 months
Tortillas, corn or flour		1 week	3 months	Wrap well
Baked Goods
Cakes
	Room Temperature (70° F)	Refrigerator (37° to 40° F)	Freezer (0 °F)	Comments
Angel food & sponge cakes		3 days	4 to 6 months	Wrap well
Cheesecake		3 to 7 days	4 to 6 months	Wrap well
Fruit cakes			1 year	Wrap well
Layer cakes		Store at room temperature. Best used within 3 to 7 days	2 to 4 months	Wrap well. Butter frosting freezes well, fluffy egg white frostings don't
Cookies
Cookies, baked			4 to 6 months	Pack in airtight container
Cookies, unbaked dough		2 to 3 days	6 months	Form refrigerator dough cookies in rolls; wrap tightly, thaw in refrigerator before slicing or dropping on cookie sheets
Pies
Chiffon pie, Pumpkin pie		1 to 2 days	1 month
Fruit pies, baked		1 to 2 days	1 year	Wrap well; thaw at room temperature; heat in 350 degree F. oven about 15 minutes
Fruit pies, unbaked			8 months	Cut holes in upper crust to vent; bake unthawed
Pies, starch-thickened custard		1 to 2 days	Do not freeze	Fillings become watery and lumpy and pastry becomes soggy
Pies, nut, baked		4 to 5 days	6 months	Wrap well
Pie shells, unbaked		1 day	2 months	Fit in pie pans; prick crusts. Stack pie pans with 2 layers freezer paper between. Place in freezer bags. Either bake frozen or thaw in refrigerator
Dairy & Eggs
Dairy
	Room Temperature (70° F)	Refrigerator (37° to 40° F)	Freezer (0 °F)	Comments
Butter		1 to 3 months	6 to 9 months	Leave in original wrapping; overwrap well
Buttermilk		7 to 14 days	Do not freeze	Texture changes
Canned Milk, opened		3 to 5 days		N/A
Cheese, Hard (such as Cheddar, Swiss)		6 months, unopened 3 to 4 weeks, opened	6 months	Best used in cooking; will crumble when sliced; thaw in refrigerator to minimize crumbling
Cheese, parmesan, grated			1 to 2 months	Repackage in freezer bags
Cheese Soft (such as Brie, Bel Paese)		1 week	6 months	Texture can change
Cottage Cheese, Ricotta		1 week	Doesn't freeze well	Separates, becomes grainy
Cream Cheese		2 weeks	Doesn't freeze well	Can be mixed with other ingredients and frozen; by itself becomes crumbly
Cream--Whipped, ultra-pasteurized		1 month	Doesn't freeze
Cream--Whipped, Sweetened		1 day	1 to 2 months	Freeze small mounds of lightly sweetened whipped cream on cookie sheet; then repackage so the mounds won't be crushed; thaw in refrigerator or serve frozen.
Cream--Aerosol can, real whipped cream		3 to 4 weeks	Doesn't freeze
Cream--Aerosol can, non dairy topping		3 months	Doesn't freeze
Cream, Half and Half		3 to 4 days	4 months	Texture changes
Eggnog, commercial		3 to 5 days	6 months
Ice Creams, Sorbets		Can't Refrigerate	1 to 2 months	Overwrap to prevent ice crystals, freezer burn
Margarine, Spread substitutes		4 to 5 months	12 months	Leave in original wrapping; overwrap well
Milk		7 days	1 month	Allow room for expansion in freezer container; thaw in refrigerator. Freezing affects flavor and appearance; use in cooking and baking.
Pudding		package date; 2 days after opening	Doesn't freeze	Can separate
Sour cream		7 to 21 days	Doesn't freeze	Separates when thawed
Whipped Butter and Margarine			Doesn't freeze	Emulsion will break and product will separate.
Yogurt		7 to 14 days	1 to 2 months	Texture changes
Eggs
	Room Temperature (70° F)	Refrigerator (37° to 40° F)	Freezer (0 °F)	Comments
Fresh, in shell		3 to 5 weeks	Don't freeze	Shells break; eggs lose quality
Raw whites		2 to 4 days	1 year	Gently stir whites together; freeze in ice cube trays; remove blocks to plastic freezer bag when solid. Each contains about 2 tablespoons. 1 cube - 1 egg white.
Raw yolks		1 week	Don't freeze well	Yolks can clump
Hard cooked eggs		1 week	Don't freeze well	Whites become rubbery; water separates
Liquid pasteurized eggs, egg substitutes,      opened      unopened		3 days 10 days	Doesn't freeze well 1 year	If opened, read label instructions regarding freezing Freeze if unopened.
Mayonnaise, commercial, refrigerate after opening		2 months	Doesn't freeze
Fruit
Fruit, Fresh
	Room Temperature (70° F)	Refrigerator (37° to 40° F)	Freezer (0 °F)	Comments
Commercially Frozen			1 year
Canned Fruits		unopened - 12 to 24 months opened - 2 to 3 days	opened - 1 to 2 months	Do not store in opened can. Store in airtight container.
Dried fruits    cooked    uncooked		3 to 5 days 6 months	4 to 6 months 12 months
Apples		3 to 5 months
Apricots, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums		3 to 5 days	6 months	See preserving instructions for individual fruits
Avocados	2 to 3 days after ripened	5 to 10 days
Bananas	Store at room temperature			Freeze whole in skin or peel and mash; great in breads and cakes
Berries, cherries		2 to 3 days	Freeze individually on cookie sheets; repackage in heavy plastic bags
Cranberries		3 to 4 weeks		8 to 12 months
Grapefruit	7 days	2 weeks	4 to 6 months	Wrap cut surfaces to prevent loss of Vitamin C.
Grapes		1 to 2 weeks
Guavas, papayas		1 to 2 days
Kiwi Fruit	3 to 5 days after ripening	4 to 6 months if unripe.
Lemons	1 week	2 to 5 weeks
Limes	1 week	2 to 5 weeks
Melons		1 week	8 to 12 months	Wrap cut surfaces to prevent Vitamin C loss, control odors.
Oranges	3 to 4 days	5 to 6 weeks
Peaches	Ripen at room temperature	2 to 3 days
Pineapple	1 to 2 days	3 to 5 days
Tangerines	2 to 3 days	1 week
Watermelon	Uncut watermelon can be stored at room temperature for a few days	6 to 8 days
Fruit Beverages
Juices in cartons, fruit drinks, punch		3 weeks unopened 7 to 10 days opened	8 to 12 months
Meats
Deli & Vacuum-Packed Products
	Room Temperature (70° F)	Refrigerator (37° to 40° F)	Freezer (0 °F)	Comments
Store-prepared (or homemade) egg, chicken, ham, tuna, macaroni salads		3 to 5 days	Doesn't freeze well
Hot dogs & Luncheon Meats
Hot dogs,    opened package    unopened package		1 week 2 weeks	1 to 2 months 1 to 2 months	Changes texture, flavor Changes texture, flavor
Luncheon meats    opened package    unopened package		3 to 5 days 2 weeks	1 to 2 months 1 to 2 months	These lose flavor quickly; wrap tightly These lose flavor quickly; wrap tightly
Bacon & Sausage
Bacon and pancetta		7 days	1 month	Leave unopened in original wrapping; over wrap well
Sausage, fresh; raw from chicken, turkey, pork, beef		1 to 2 days	1 to 2 months	Over wrap packages well
Smoked breakfast links, patties		7 days	1 to 2 months	Over wrap packages well
Hard sausage--pepperoni, jerky sticks		2 to 3 weeks	1 to 2 months	Keep in original packaging; over wrap well
Summer sausage--labeled "Keep Refrigerated"    opened    unopened		3 weeks 3 months	1 to 2 months 1 to 2 months
Ham, Corned Beef
Corned beef, in pouch with pickling juices		5 to 7 days	Drained, 1 month
Ham, canned--labeled "Keep Refrigerated"    opened    unopened		3 to 5 days 6 to 9 months	1 to 2 months Doesn't freeze
Ham, fully cooked vacuum sealed at plant, undated, unopened		2 weeks	1 to 2 months
Ham, fully cooked vacuum sealed at plant, dated, unopened		"use by" date on package	1 to 2 months
Ham, fully cooked, whole		7 days	1 to 2 months
Ham, fully cooked, half		3 to 5 days	1 to 2 months
Ham, fully cooked, slices		3 to 4 days	1 to 2 months
Hamburger, Ground
Hamburger, ground beef		1 to 2 days	3 to 4 months	Remove from supermarket wrapping; wrap well in freezer plastic wrap; over wrap with heavy-duty aluminum foil
Ground turkey, veal, pork, lamb & mixtures of them		1 to 2 days	3 to 4 months	Remove from supermarket wrapping; wrap well in freezer plastic wrap; over wrap with heavy-duty aluminum foil
Fresh Beef, Veal, Lamb, Pork
Steaks		3 to 5 days	6 to 12 months	Wrap pieces individually, then over wrap tightly
Chops		3 to 5 days	4 to 6 months	Wrap pieces individually, then over wrap tightly
Roasts		3 to 5 days	4 to 12 months	Wrap pieces individually, then over wrap tightly
Variety meats--tongue, liver, heart, kidneys, chitterlings		1 to 2 days	3 to 4 months
Pre-stuffed, uncooked pork chops, lamb chops, or chicken breast stuffed with dressing		1 day	Don't freeze well
Soup & Stews
Chili			4 to 6 months	All-meat chili freeze better than those containing beans, which can break down & become mushy
Soups, broth-based		3 to 4 days	4 months	Freeze in usable amounts or individual servings
Soups, cream-based, such as chowders, bisques		2 days	Do not freeze	Can curdle and separate
Stock		3 to 4 days	4 to 6 months	Freeze in usable amounts
Stews		3 to 4 days	4 to 6 months	Freeze in usable amounts
Meat Leftovers
Cooked meat and meat casseroles		3 to 4 days	2 to 3 months
Gravy and meat broth		1 to 2 days	2 to 3 months
Fresh Poultry
Chicken, turkey, or duck, whole		1 to 2 days	1 year	Keep in original packaging
Chicken or turkey, pieces		1 to 2 days	9 months	Over wrap well
Giblets		1 to 2 days	3 to 4 months
Cooked Poultry
Fried chicken		3 to 4 days	4 months
Cooked poultry casseroles		3 to 4 days	4 to 6 months
Pieces, plain		3 to 4 days	4 months	Best frozen in stock, used in soups, casseroles
Pieces covered with broth, gravy		1 to 2 days	6 months
Chicken nuggets, patties		1 to 2 days	1 to 3 months
Pizza
Pizza		3 to 4 days	1 to 2 months
Stuffing
Stuffing, cooked		3 to 4 days	1 month
Seafood and Fish
Fish
Lean fish (cod, flounder, haddock, sole, etc.)		1 to 2 days	6 months	remove from light supermarket wrap; wrap well or use ice method below.
Fatty fish (salmon, bluefish, mackerel, salmon, etc.)		1 to 2 days	2 to 3 months	Place on cookie sheet, loosely covered with foil. Freeze. Dip in water several times; freeze to form thin ice glaze; wrap well; over wrap well
Cooked fish		3 to 4 days	4 to 6 months	Texture becomes mushy
Smoked fish		14 days or date on vacuum package	2 months in vacuum package	Vacuum package
Shellfish
Clams, oysters, scallops; live			7 to 10 days	Remove from shells; freeze in their own liquid in airtight plastic freezer bags or containers; raw scallops easily become rubbery
Cooked shellfish		3 to 4 days	3 months
Crab, cooked		1 to 2 days	2 months	If in shell, leave in shell; dip in water and freeze to form thin ice glaze to prevent drying out and becoming stringy; then repackage
Fish Sticks			18 months
Lobster tails, raw			3 months	Over wrap original wrapping well
Lobster & Crab, live		same day purchased
Shrimp, crayfish, squid, shucked clams, & mussels; raw		1 to 2 days	3 to 6 months	Dip in water, freeze, to form ice glaze; place in freezer plastic bags
Shrimp, cooked			Don't freeze	Texture becomes mushy
Shrimp, breaded, commercial				1 year
Staples or Pantry Items
Staples or Pantry Items	Room Temperature (70° F)	Refrigerator (37° to 40° F)	Freezer (0 °F)	Comments
Baby Food, canned	unopened - 12 months opened - 2 days
Baking Powder	unopened - 18 months opened - 6 months			Keep dry and covered.
Baking Soda	unopened - 2 years opened - 6 months			Keep dry and covered.
Biscuit Mix	12 to 18 months
Bouillon Cubes or Granules	2 years			Keep dry and covered.
Brownie Mix	9 to 12 months
Cake Mix	9 to 12 months
Candies		2 to 4 months	6 months	Chocolate-coated varieties may develop white bloom on outside from temperature; thaw in refrigerator
Catsup, Chili Sauce	unopened - 12 months opened 1 month			Refrigerate for longer storage
Cereals, ready-to-eat	6 to 12 months (opened & unopened)			Refold package liner tightly after opening
Chocolate	semi-sweet - 18 months unsweetened - 18 months			Keep in a cool place
Chocolate Syrup	unopened - 2 years	opened - 6 months		Cover tightly and refrigerate after opening
Cocoa Mixes Cocoa, Baking	unopened - 8 months opened - 3 to 6 months 24 months			Cover tightly
Coconut, shredded (canned or packaged)	unopened - 1 year	opened - 6 months		Refrigerate after opening
Coffee, cans Coffee, instant Coffee, whole bans	unopened - 2 years unopened - 1 to 2 years opened - 2 months 1 to 2 weeks			Storing coffee at room temperature is the most convenient method of storage. It works well for coffee that will be consumed within one to two weeks of purchase.
Cornmeal	12 months			Keep tightly closed
Cornstarch	Indefinite			Keep tightly closed
Crackers	6 months		3 months	Freeze "sleeves" in heavy plastic bags
Flour, white Flour, whole wheat Flour, bread	6 to 8 months   6 to 8 months	6 to 8 months	1 year   1 year	Store in refrigerator
Gelatin, all types	18 months			Keep in original containers
Grits	12 months			Store in airtight container
Herbs	6 months
Honey	12 months			Cover tightly. If crystallizes, warm jar in pan of hot water
Jelly, Jam & Preserves	unopened - 12 months	opened - 6 months		Refrigerate after opening
Molasses	unopened - 12 months opened - 6 months			Keep tightly closed. Refrigerate to extend storage life.
Marshmallow Cream	unopened - 3 to 4 months
Marshmallows	2 to 3 months			Keep in airtight container
Mayonnaise	unopened - 2 to 3 months	opened - 2 to 3 months		Refrigerate after opening
Mustard, prepared yellow	unopened - 2 years opened 6 to 8 months			May be refrigerated. Stir before using.
Nuts (Nuts; hazelnuts, walnut, pecans), in shell Nuts, vacuum can	4 months   3 months	1 year	2 years	Refrigerate after shelling. Freeze for longer storage.
Milk (condensed or evaporated, canned Milk, non-fat dry	12 months + unopened - 6 months opened - 3 months			Invert cans every 2 months   Store in airtight container
Olives, bottled or canned	1 year
Pancake Mixes	6 to 9 months
Pasta (dry spaghetti, macaroni, etc.)	2 years			Once opened, store in airtight container
Peanut Butter	unopened - 6 to 9 months opened - 2 to 3 months			Refrigeration not necessary, but will keep longer if refrigerated.
Pectin, liquid	opened - 1 month
Pickles	unopened - 1 to 2 years
Pie Crust Mix	unopened - 8 months
Popcorn	1 to 2 years			Keep in airtight container
Potatoes, Instant	6 to 12 months
Pudding Mixes	12 months
Rice, white Rice, flavored or herb	2 years + 6 months			Keep tightly closed
Salad Dressings, bottled	unopened - 10-12 months opened -3 months			Refrigerate after opening
Salad Oils (corn, canola) Olive Oil	18 months 24 months
Sauces & Gravy Mixes	6 to 12 months
Shortening	unopened - 18 months opened - 6 to 8 months
Spices, whole Spices, ground	1 to 2 years 6 months			Store in airtight container in a dry place.
Sugar, granulated Sugar, brown Sugar, confectioners or powdered Sugar, sweeteners	2 years + 4 months 18 months 2 years +			Put in airtight container and cover tightly
Syrups	12 months			Keep tightly closed. Refrigerate to extend storage life.
Tea, bags Tea, instant Tea, loose	18 months 3 years 2 years			Store in airtight container
Tofu		1 week	5 months	Change storage water every day or two after opening.
Vanilla Extract	unopened - 2 years opened 12 months			Keep tightly closed
Vinegar	unopened - 2 years + opened - 12 months			Keep tightly closed
Yeast, dry or frozen compressed		6 weeks	1 to 2 years
Vegetables
Vegetables	Room Temperature (70° F)	Refrigerator (37° to 40° F)	Freezer (0 °F)	Comments
Commercially Frozen			1 year	Store in original package
Canned Vegetables		opened - 3 days		Do not store in the opened can. Store in airtight container.
Artichokes		1 week
Asparagus		3 to 5 days	8 to 12 months
Beets, carrots		2 weeks	8 to 12 months
Beans, broccoli, lima beans, peas, summer squash		3 to 6 days	8 to 12 months
Bell Peppers		1 to 2 weeks	3 to 4 months	Freeze raw, slice in strips or dice
Cabbage		1 week	Do not freeze	To watery to freeze well
Cauliflower		1 week	8 to 12 months
Celery, chilies		1 week	8 to 12 months
Corn		Use immediately for best flavor	8 to 12 months
Green onions		3 to 5 days	Do not freeze	Become limp
Greens: collards, kale, mustard, spinach, Swiss chard		3 to 5 days	8 to 12 months
Green beans		1 week	8 to 12 months
Lettuce and salad greens		1 week	Do not freeze	Too watery; becomes limp
Mushrooms		1 to 2 days	8 to 12 months	Slice thinly and saute first, otherwise they become rubbery and lose flavor
Radishes		2 weeks
Squash, hard	3 to 6 months
Tomatoes			3 to 4 months	Cut in wedges, freeze in usable portions in freezer bags. Use in cook dishes.