Food
is a perishable item, whether you store it in the freezer, refrigerator, or
pantry. I've been asked many times how long various food items will last.
It really depends on the item, how it is packaged for storage, and of course -
if it is in it's original, unopened container.
When buying ANY food at the grocery, always pick the freshest!
If it's already been on the store shelf for a long time, it won't last as long
as you would like or expect. Check the package date! Pick the
best-looking produce, and even establish a relationship with the produce manager
- they always know what's freshest, and they probably have the best stuff in the
back and will bring it out for you!
Use the following tables as guidelines, and go through your
freezer, fridge, and pantry and get rid of those "Mesolithic" era foodstuffs!
Or - a better idea!
FOOD
STORAGE TIME
SPECIAL HANDLING
Baking powder or soda
18 months
Keep in airtight container
after opening.
Bouillon cubes or granules
1 year
Cake mixes
1 year
Canned foods, commercial
1 year
Cereals
Check package date
Keep in airtight container
after opening.
Chocolate, baking
1 year
Keep in cool place.
Coconut
1 year
Refrigerate opened
packages.
Coffee, fresh ground
2 to 3 weeks
Refrigerate or freeze
opened cans or packages.
Flour, all-purpose
15 months
Flour, whole wheat
6 months
Refrigerate, or freeze
during warm weather
Fruit, dried
6 months
Refrigerate opened packages
Gelatin
18 months
Keep in a dry place.
Herbs, dried
1 year
Keep in a cool, dark place.
Refrigerate red spices.
Honey
1 year
Jams, jellies
1 year
Refrigerate after opening
Macaroni, spaghetti, dried
pasta
1 year
Keep in airtight container
after opening.
Molasses
2 years
Nonfat dry milk powder
6 months
Keep in airtight container
after opening
Olive oil
1 year
Keep in tightly capped
bottle away from heat and light
Peanut butter
6 months
Refrigerate in warm weather
Pudding mixes
1 year
Rice, white
Indefinite
Keep in airtight container
in a cool, dry place.
Salad dressings, commercial
6 months
Refrigerate open bottles
Shortening
8 months
Store in a cool dark place.
Sugar, brown
4 months
Keep in airtight container
after opening.
Sugar, granulated
2 years
Keep in airtight container
after opening.
Syrups - corn, maple
flavored, maple
1 year
Refrigerate maple syrup
after opening.
Vegetable oil
1 year
Keep in a tightly capped
bottle away from heat and light.
Yeast, active dry
Check package date.
Refrigerate during warm
weather
Refrigerator temperatures should be kept between 34oF
and 40oF. Foods should be wrapped well, or stored in airtight
containers, unless otherwise noted. Meats should be in the coldest section
and veggies stored in the "crisper".
Freezer should be at 0oF for storage that is longer
than a week. Also be sure food is wrapped in freezer containers, or well
wrapped in heavy foil or freezer paper. It's also a great idea to label
and date everything! (All the food prepared by Chef Ted is packaged
this way, with contents, cooking instructions, number of portions and date!)
The following are recommended storage times...
FOOD
REFRIGERATOR
FREEZER
Fresh Meat
Chops (lamb)
3 to 5 days
4 to 6 months
Chops (pork)
3 to 5 days
4 to 6 months
Ground, stew meats
1 to 2 days
3 to 4 months
Roasts (beef)
3 to 5 days
6 to 12 months
Roasts (lamb)
3 to 5 days
4 to 6 months
Roasts (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
Cooked meat, meat dishes
3 to 4 days
2 to 3 months
Processed Meats
Bacon
1 week*
1 to 2 months
Frankfurters
1 week*
1 to 2 months
Ham (fully cooked half)
3 to 5 days
1 to 2 months
Luncheon meats
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 & goose (whole)
1 to 2 days
1 year
Turkey pieces
1 to 2 days
9 months
Cooked Poultry
Covered with broth or gravy
1 to 2 days
6 months
Pieces not in broth or gravy
3 to 4 days
4 months
Cooked casseroles
3 to 4 days
4 to 6 months
Fish
1 to 2 days
3 to 6 months
Eggs
Whites
2 to 4 days
12 months
Whole eggs (fresh in shell)
3 weeks
Can't freeze
Yolks
2 to 4 days
12 months
Cheese
Cottage
5 days
Can't freeze
Hard cheese
3 to 4 months
6 months
Soft cheese
2 weeks
4 months
Ice Cream
Can't
refrigerate
1 to 3 months
Butter,
Margarine
1 month
3 to 6 months
*Dates apply to
opened vacuumed-sealed packages. Unopened vacuum-sealed packages can
be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or until the "use by" or sell by"
date expires.
Food
is a perishable item, whether you store it in the freezer, refrigerator, or
pantry. I've been asked many times how long various food items will last.
It really depends on the item, how it is packaged for storage, and of course -
if it is in it's original, unopened container.
