How long food keeps in the fridge and freezer
Knowing how long food keeps helps you plan, freeze in time, and throw away less. These are general guidelines based on FoodSafety.gov's cold storage chart. Always follow package directions.
| Food | Fridge (40°F or below) | Freezer (0°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Raw ground meat and poultry | 1 to 2 days | 3 to 4 months |
| Raw steaks, chops and roasts | 3 to 5 days | 4 to 12 months |
| Raw chicken or turkey pieces | 1 to 2 days | 9 months |
| Bacon | 7 days | 1 month |
| Hot dogs, opened package | 1 week | 1 to 2 months |
| Lunch meat, opened package or deli sliced | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Cooked leftovers (meat, poultry, casseroles) | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 6 months |
| Soups and stews | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Raw eggs in the shell | 3 to 5 weeks | Don't freeze in the shell |
| Hard-cooked eggs | 1 week | Don't freeze well |
Food kept frozen at 0°F stays safe indefinitely; freezer times are for best quality. Fridge times assume food was handled and stored safely. Source: FoodSafety.gov. General information only.
Four food safety numbers to remember
Two hours
Refrigerate food within two hours, or one hour if it's above 90°F.
40°F and 0°F
Keep your fridge at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F.
165°F
Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
When in doubt
Throw it out. You can't always see or smell bacteria.
Read leftovers, safely and best by, use by and sell by, or see what wasted food costs with the kitchen savings calculator.