Great Info Tips

Below you will find a list of how long food can be stored frozen or refrigerated. I hope the list will help you. One big tip is to mark everything! When you place items in the fridge or freezer use a permanent marker on the bags or containers to put the date on the packaging. It’s also a good idea to keep a list on the front of the freezer of what meats and veggies you have on hand and to cross off the item or change the amount of items when you use it. That will save you time when you need to make that grocery list before shopping.

Make sure you wrapped or package foods to keep them from drying out or getting freezer burn. Keep meats in the coldest part of the fridge. Store vegetables in the crisper drawer. Fridge temperature should be kept between 34 and 40 degrees.

FRESH MEAT:………………. REFRIGERATOR……………….. FREEZER

lamb or pork chops …………..3 t o5 days………………………. 4 to 6 months

ground stew meats …………….1 to 2 days ………………………3 to 4 months

beef roasts ………………………3 to 5 days ………………………6 to 12 months

roasts-lamb,pork,veal……….. 3 to 5 days…………………….. 4 to 6 months

sausage (fresh pork)………….1 to 2 days ……………………..1 to 2 months

steaks ……………………………3 to 5 days……………………… 6 to 12 months

COOKED MEATS…………. 3 TO 4 days …………………..2 to 3 months

PROCESSED MEATS

bacon & hot dogs…………….. 1 week (check use by date) ..1 to 2 months

lunch meats………………………3 to 5 days ………………………..1 to 2 months

ham-fully cooked……………… 3 to 5 days ……………………….1 to 2 months

sausage (smoked) ……………..1 week……………………………. 1 to 2 months

FRESH POULTRY

chicken & turkey (whole)……. 1 to 2 days ………………………1 year

chicken pieces…………………… 1 to 2 days……………………… 9 months

duck and goose (whole)………. 1 to 2 days…………………….. 1 year

turkey pieces ………………………1 to 2 days …………………….9 months

COOKED POULTRY

covered w/gravy or broth…….. 1 to 2 days…………………….. 6 months

not in broth or gravy …………….3 to 4 days ……………………..4 months

in casseroles (cooked)…………. 3 to 4 days……………………. 4 to 6 months

FISH ………………………………..1 to 2 days……………………. 3 to 6 months

EGGS: yolks or whites (separated) can be kept for 2 to 4 days in the fridge, 12 months in the freezer

whole eggs in shells……………… 3 weeks……………………… cannot be frozen in this form

CHEESE

cottage cheese ……………………5 days …………………………cannot freeze

hard cheeses ……………………..3 to 4 months ……………….6 months

soft cheese ……………………….2 weeks ………………………4 months

ICE CREAM can be kept for up to 3 months in the freezer

BUTTER/MARGARINE…… 1 month………………………… 3 to 6 months