Shelf Lives of Food

Grains

ItemFreezerRefrigeratorCounter/ Pantry
Bread (loaf)2-3 months1-2 weeks5-7 days
Cake (frosted)1 month2 weeks1 week
Cake (unfrosted)2-3 months1 week3-4 days
Cheesecake2-3 months1 week1 day
Cookies (baked)2-3 months1 month1 week
Cookie Dough6-8 months2-3 weeks2-3 days
Macaroni & Cheese (leftover)1-2 weeks3-5 days4-5 hours
Muffins (baked)6-12 months2 weeks2-3 days
Pancakes3 months1 week1 day
Pancake Mix2 months2 weeks6 hours
Pie (fruit, baked)6-8 months1 month1-2 days
Pie (fruit, unbaked)2-4 months1 week1-2 days
Pie (pumpkin or pecan)1-2 months1 week1-2 days
Pizza (leftover)1-2 weeks3-4 days1-2 hours
Rolls (baked)2-3 months2 weeks5-7 days
Rolls (dough)1 month1-2 weeks1 day
Sandwich (prepared)NEVER1-2 days2-8 hours
Spaghetti w/ Meatballs (leftover)2-3 weeks1-2 days2-3 hours
Waffles1 month4 days4 hours
NOTE: store in clear plastic in well-lit dry area  

Fruits

ItemFreezer*RefrigeratorCounter/ PantryBest Method
Apples8-12 months1-2 months2-4 weeksUncut, unwrapped
AvocadosNEVER3 days4 days to ripeCountertop to ripen, refrigerator when ripe
Avocados (halved)NEVER1 day4 hoursSqueeze lemon juice on flesh, seal in plastic wrap
Bananas2-3 months5-9 days2-7 daysUncut, unwrapped
Bananas (halved)1 month1-2 days1 dayPeel on, flesh wrapped in foil
Berries8-12 months3-5 days1 dayUncovered, vented container
Citrus3 months3 weeks1-2 weeksUncut, unwrapped
Citrus (halved)NEVER2-3 days1 dayPlastic wrap
CoconutNEVER2-3 months1 monthUncut, unwrapped
Melons8-12 months1 weekUntil ripe 
Grapes3-5 months1-2 weeks3-5 daysPerforated plastic wrap
Kiwifruit3-4 months1 week5 daysUncut, unwrapped
Lemons3-4 months1-2 months2-4 weeksUncut, unwrapped
Mangoes2-3 months2 weeks5 daysPlastic bag
Melons2-3 months2 weeks5 days once ripeUncut, unwrapped on countertop
Melons (halved)1 month7-10 days2-3 daysPlastic wrap
Papaya2-3 months2 weeks4 daysPlastic bag
Peaches8-12 months5 daysUntil ripeCountertop to ripen, refrigerator when ripe
Pears8-12 months2 weeks4 days once ripeUncut, unwrapped
Pineapples3-5 months4-5 days2-3 daysUncut, unwrapped
Plums8-12 months5 daysUntil ripeCountertop to ripen, refrigerator when ripe
Strawberries6-8 months5-7 days1-2 daysWrap in paper towel, seal with plastic wrap
Tomatoes8-12 months2 weeks5-7 daysUncut, unwrapped, dark place outside refrigerator/in a vented container
WatermelonNEVER1-2 weeks3-4 daysUncut, unwrapped

* most fruits can be stored in the freezer when they’re pureed

Vegetables/Spices

ItemFreezer*RefrigeratorCounter/ PantryBest Method
AsparagusNEVER3-4 days1 dayStems in water, lightly cover top in plastic bag
BasilNEVER1 week1 dayStems in water, fully cover top in plastic
BeetsNEVER2 weeks1 weekPlastic bag
Bell PepperNEVER3-4 days2 daysPlastic wrap
Broccoli8-12 months7-14 days2 daysPlastic wrap
CabbageNEVER2 weeks2 daysPlastic wrap
Carrots8-12 months3 weeks0-4 daysPlastic bag
Cauliflower8-12 months5 days2 daysPlastic wrap
CeleryNEVER2 weeks2 daysBottom in water like a flower pot, cover with plastic bag, ALTERNATELY wrap it in foil
Chili Peppers8-12 months2 weeks4 daysPlastic bag
ChivesNEVER5 days1 dayWrap in damp paper towel or plastic wrap
CilantroNEVER1 week2 daysStems in water, lightly cover top in plastic bag
Corn2 months3-4 days1 dayPlastic wrap
Cucumbers8-12 months1 week1-3 daysWrap in dry paper towel, seal with plastic wrap
Eggplant/Aubergine/BrinjalNEVER2 weeks1 dayPlastic wrap
Garlic1-2 years1 month2 monthsDark place outside refrigerator
Ginger1 year1 month2 weeksUncut, unwrapped
Ginger (cut)6 months1-2 weeks2 daysPlastic bag with dry paper towel
GreensNEVER7-10 days3-4 daysLarge plastic container layered with dry paper towels
Green Beans8-12 months1 week0-1 dayPlastic bag with dry paper towel
LettuceNEVER1 week0-1 dayWrap in dry paper towel, seal with plastic wrap
MushroomsNEVER1 week3-4 daysBrown paper bag
OnionsNEVER2 months2 weeksDark place outside refrigerator
Onions (halved)NEVER1-2 weeks2 daysSealed plastic bag
ParsleyNEVER1 week2 daysStems in water, lightly cover top in plastic bag
PotatoesNEVER2 months1-2 monthsBrown paper bag outside refrigerator
PumpkinNEVER2 months2 monthsDark place outside refrigerator
Radishes8-12 months2 weeks1 weekWrap in dry paper towel, seal with plastic wrap
RosemaryNEVER2 weeks3 daysPlastic wrap
Salad w/ Dressing (leftover)1-2 weeks3-5 days2-3 hours 
Spices & Herbs (ground and dried)12 months10 months6-9 months 
SpinachNEVER2 weeks3 daysUnwrapped
Summer SquashNEVER5 days5 daysPlastic bag
Sweet Potatoes/YamsNEVER2 weeks2 weeksBrown paper bag outside refrigerator
ThymeNEVER2 weeks3 daysPlastic wrap
Vegetable Soup2-3 months1-2 weeks2 hours 
Winter SquashNEVER2 weeks1 monthDark place outside refrigerator
ZucchiniNEVER1 week2 daysWrap in dry paper towel, seal with plastic wrap

* most high-fiber vegetables can be stored in the freezer when they’re pureed

Meats/Nuts

ItemFreezerRefrigeratorCounter/ PantryBest Method
Bacon(opened)4 months1 week2 hours 
Bacon(unopened)4 months2 weeks2 hoursSealed bag with no air
Beef Chops4-6 months1-2 weeks2 hours 
Beef Ground Hamburger6-8 months1-2 days2 hoursSealed bag with no air
Beef Roasts1 year1-2 weeks2 hoursSealed bag with no air
Beef Tongue/Liver/Kidneys/Heart3-4 months1-2 weeks2 hours 
Cold Cuts (deli counter)2-3 months2 weeks opened, 5 days opened4 hours 
Cold Cuts (pre-packaged)2-3 months2 weeks opened, 5 days opened4 hours 
Broths & Soups2-3 months1-2 weeks2 hoursClosed pot or freezer bag
Chicken (prepared dishes)4-6 months2 weeks3 hours 
Chicken (fried)4 months1 week3 hours 
Chicken (ground)3-4 months1 week2 hoursSealed bag with no air
Chicken Nuggets1-3 months1-2 weeks5 hoursPackaging it came in
Chicken (whole)1 year1-2 days2 hoursSealed bag with no air
Chicken (parted)9 months1-2 days2 hoursSealed bag with no air
Fish (fatty)2-3 months1 day2 hoursSealed bag with no air
Fish (lean)6-9 months1 day2 hoursSealed bag with no air
Ham (cooked)2 months1-2 weeks2 hours 
Hot Dogs (opened)1-2 months1 week2 hours 
Hot Dogs (unopened)1-2 months2-3 weeks5-6 hours 
Lamb (raw)9 months1-2 days2 hours 
Lunch Meat (opened)1-2 months3-5 days2 hours 
Lunch Meat (unopened)1-2 months2 weeks2 hours 
Nuts3 months1-2 months1 month 
Pork (ground)3-4 months1-2 days2 hours 
Pork Chops4-6 months1-2 weeks2 hours 
Pork Roasts4-12 months1-2 weeks2 hours 
Sausages(raw, opened)1-2 months1-2 days1-2 hours 
Sausages(raw, unopened)1-2 months2 weeks2-6 hours 
Sausages(fully cooked)1-2 months1-2 days2 hours 
Shellfish2-3 months1 day1 hourShallow tray, single layer, covered with damp paper towel
Steak6-12 months1-2 days2 hours 
Turkey (ground)3-4 months1-2 days2 hours 
Turkey (whole)1 year1-2 days2 hours 
Turkey (parted)9 months1-2 days2 hours 
Veal9 months1 week2 hours 
Venison3-4 months1 week2 hours

NOTE: The optimum surface color for meat (cherry-red for beef, dark cherry-red for lamb, grayish-pink for pork, and pale pink for veal) is very short-lived and changes from oxygen exposure, so the color doesn’t matter near as much as odor for detecting quality.

Dairy

ItemFreezerRefrigeratorCounter/ PantryBest Method
Butter6-9 months1-3 months10 days 
Cheese (fresh)6-8 months1 week3 daysIn water, change every 2 days
Cheese (hard)6-8 months1-4 months1-3 monthsWrapped in brown paper, then wrapped lightly in plastic wrap
Cheese (soft)6-8 months2-3 weeks1-4 hoursWrapped in brown paper, then wrapped lightly in plastic wrap
Eggs (hard boiled)NEVER2-3 weeks2-3 days 
Eggs (raw)NEVER3-4 weeks2-3 hours 
Milk3-6 month5-7 days0-3 hours 
Yogurt1-2 months2-3 weeks0-3 hours

NOTE: Milk itself never technically spoils to becoming inedible, but can become rancid.

Condiments/Drinks

ItemFreezerRefrigeratorCounter/ Pantry
Coffee (ground)2-3 years1 year1 year
Coffee (instant)2-20 years2-20 years
Coffee (whole bean)3-4 years2 years2 years
Honey∞, not recommended
Juice (from concentrate)1 year3-4 months1 week
Juice (homemade)6 months2-3 months3-4 days
KetchupNEVER1 year1 year
Mayonnaise (after opening)NEVER14 months2-3 months
SodaNEVER6-9 months6-9 months
Soda (diet)NEVER3-5 months3-5 months