Cold Food Storage Times

FoodTypeRefrigerator
>/= 40F / 5C
Freezer < 32F / 0C
SaladEgg, chicken, ham, tuna, and macaroni salads3 to 4 daysDoes not freeze well
Hot dogsOpened package1 week1 to 2 months
Unopened package2 weeks1 to 2 months
Luncheon meatOpened package or deli sliced3 to 5 days1 to 2 months
Unopened package2 weeks1 to 2 months
Bacon and sausageBacon1 week1 month
Sausage, raw, from chicken, turkey, pork, or beef1 to 2 days1 to 2 months
Sausage, fully cooked, from chicken, turkey, pork, or beef1 week1 to 2 months
Sausage, purchased frozenAfter cooking, 3-4 days1-2 months from date of purchase
Hamburger, ground meats and ground poultryHamburger, ground beef, turkey, chicken, other poultry, veal, pork, lamb, and mixtures of them1 to 2 days3 to 4 months
Fresh beef, veal, lamb, and porkSteaks3 to 5 days4 to 12 months
Chops3 to 5 days4 to 12 months
Roasts3 to 5 days4 to 12 months
HamFresh, uncured, uncooked3 to 5 days6 months
Fresh, uncured, cooked3 to 4 days3 to 4 months
Cured, cook-before-eating, uncooked5 to 7 days or “use by” date3 to 4 months
Fully-cooked, vacuum-sealed at plant, unopened2 weeks or “use by” date1 to 2 months
Cooked, store-wrapped, whole1 week1 to 2 months
Cooked, store-wrapped, slices, half, or spiral cut3 to 5 days1 to 2 months
Country ham, cooked1 week1 month
Canned, labeled “Keep Refrigerated,” unopened6 to 9 monthsDo not freeze
Canned, shelf-stable, opened
Note: An unopened, shelf-stable, canned ham can be stored at room temperature for 2 years.
3 to 4 days1 to 2 months
Prosciutto, Parma or Serrano ham, dry Italian or Spanish type, cut2 to 3 months1 month
Fresh poultryChicken or turkey, whole1 to 2 days1 year
Chicken or turkey, pieces1 to 2 days9 months
EggsRaw eggs in shell3 to 5 weeksDo not freeze in shell. Beat yolks and whites together, then freeze.
Raw egg whites and yolks

Note: Yolks do not freeze well
2 to 4 days12 months
Raw egg accidentally frozen in shell

Note: Toss any frozen eggs with a broken shell
Use immediately after thawingKeep frozen, then
refrigerate to thaw
Hard-cooked eggs1 weekDo not freeze
Egg substitutes, liquid, unopened1 weekDo not freeze
Egg substitutes, liquid, opened3 daysDo not freeze
Egg substitutes, frozen, unopenedAfter thawing, 1 week or refer to “use by” date12 months
Egg substitutes, frozen, openedAfter thawing, 3 to 4 days or refer to “use by” dateDo not freeze
Casseroles with eggsAfter baking, 3 to 4 daysAfter baking, 2 to 3 months
Eggnog, commercial3 to 5 days6 months
Eggnog, homemade2 to 4 daysDo not freeze
Pies: Pumpkin or pecanAfter baking, 3 to 4 daysAfter baking, 1 to 2 months
Pies: Custard and chiffonAfter baking, 3 to 4 daysDo not freeze
Quiche with fillingAfter baking, 3 to 5 daysAfter baking, 2 to 3 months
Soups and stewsVegetable or meat added3 to 4 days2 to 3 months
LeftoversCooked meat or poultry3 to 4 days2 to 6 months
Chicken nuggets or patties3 to 4 days1 to 3 months
Pizza3 to 4 days1 to 2 months
Data Sourced From https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety-charts/cold-food-storage-charts

Note: Any item that requires refridgeration or has been cooked is past it’s safe-point after 4 hours at a temperature in bewteen 140F / 60C and above 40F / 5C.

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