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Food Storage Chart
(Storage times are approximate and may vary depending on type of packaging, storage
temperature, and the qua1 it!
J of the food when purchased. )
Butter
I month
Milk & cream
I week
Cream cheese, cheese spread
& cheese food
Cottage cheese
Sour cream
Hard cheese (Swiss, Cheddar
& Parmesan)
l-2 weeks
3-S days
IO days
I-2 months
EGGS
Eggs in the shell.
Leftover yolks or whites
FRUIT
Apples
I month
Bananas
Pears, plums, avocados
Berries, cherries, apricots
Grapes
Citrus fruits
Asparagus
Brussels sprouts, broccoli,
cauliflower, green peas, lima
beans, peppers
Cabbage, celery
Carrots, parsnips, beets, &
turnips
Lettuce
POULTRY & FISH
3 weeks
2-4 days
2-4 days
3-4 days
2-3 days
3-5 days
l-2 weeks
1 2-3 days
I
I-2 days
3-5 days
1-2 weeks
7- 10 days
6-9 months
Not recommended
Not recommended
Not recommended
4-6 months
May become crumbly
Not recommended
Y-12 months
8 months (cooked)
6 months
(whole/peeled)
Not recommended
6 months
I month (whole)
Not recommended
6- I2 months Pineapples, cut
VEGETABLES
7-10 days
Bacon
Beef or lamb, ground
Beef or lamb, roast & steak
Ham, fully cooked, whole
half
slices
Luncheon meat
Pork, roast
Pork, chops
Sausage, ground
Sausage, smoked
Veal
Frankfurters
7 days
l-2 days
3-5 days
7 days
5 days
3 days
3-5 days
3-5 days
3-5 days
I-2 days
7 days
3-5 days
7 days
8-10 months
8- IO months
IO- I2 months
8- IO months
Not recommended
Wrap tightly or cover.
Check carton date. Close tightly. Don’t return unused portions to
original container. Don’t freeze cream unless whipped.
Wrap tightly.
Store in original carton. Check carton date.
Wrap tightly. Cut off any mold.
Refrigerate small ends down.
For each cup of yolks to be frozen, add I tsp. sugar for use in
sweet, or I tsp. salt for non-sweet dishes.
May also store unripe or hard apples at 60.70°F.
Ripen at room temperature before refrigerating. Bananas & avo-
cados darken when refrigerated.
May also store at 60.70°F. If refrigerated, store uncovered.
Will not ripen after purchase. Use quickly.
Don’t wash before refrigerating. Store in crisper.
Wrap odorous foods. Leave peas in pods. Store in crisper
Wrap odorous foods & refrigerate in crisper.
Remove tops. Wrap odorous foods & refrigerate in the crisper.
Store in crisper.
I month
3-4 months
6-9 months
l-2 months
l-2 months
l-2 months
l-2 months
4-6 months
4 months
l-2 months
l-2 months
4-6 months
I month
Chicken and Turkey, whole
Chicken and Turkey, pieces
Fish
MEATS
l-2 days
l-2 days
l-2 days
I2 months
9 months
2-6 months
Keep in original packaging for refrigeration. When freezing
longer than 2 weeks, overwrap with freezer wrap.
Fresh meats can be kept in original packaging for refrigeration.
Place in the Meat and Cheese Drawer. When freezing longer
than 2 weeks, overwrap with freezer wrap.
Unopened, vacuum-packed luncheon meat may be kept up to 2
weeks in the Meat and Cheese Drawer.
Processed meats should be tightly wrapped and stored in the
Meat and Cheese Drawer.
Sources: United States Department of Agriculture; Food Marketing Institute; Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University