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Food Storage Chart (Storage times are approximate and may vary depending on type of packaging, storage
temperature, and the quality of the food when purchased.)
Foods
Butter
Milk & cream
Cream cheese, cheese spread
& cheese food
Cottage cheese
Sour cream
Hard cheese (Swiss, Cheddar
& Parmesan)
Eggs in the shell,
Leftover yolks or whites
Apples
Bananas
Pears, plums, avocados
Berries, cherries, apricots
Grapes
Citrus fruits
Pineapples, cut
Asparagus
Brussels sprouts, broccoli,
cauliflower, green peas, lima
beans, peppers
Cabbage, celery
Carrots, parsnips, beets &
turnips
Lettuce
Chicken and turkey, whole
Chicken and turkey, pieces
Fish
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
Refrigerator
1 month
1 week
1-2 weeks
3-5 days
10 days
1-2 months
3 weeks
2-4 days
1 month
2-4 days
3-4 days
2-3 days
3-5 days
1-2 weeks
2-3 days
1-2 days
3-5 days
1-2 weeks
7-10 days
5-7 days
1-2 days
1-2 days
1-2 days
7 days
1-2 days
3-5 days
7 days
5 days
3 days
3-5 days
3-5 days
3-5 days
1-2 days
7 days
3-5 days
7 days
Freezer
6-9 months
Not recommended
Not recommended
Not recommended
4-6 months
May become crumbly
Not recommended
9-12 months
8 months (cooked)
6 months (whole/peeled)
Not recommended
6 months
1 month (whole)
Not recommended
6-12 months
8-10 months
8-10 months
10-12 months
8-10 months
Not recommended
12 months
9 months
2-6 months
1 month
3-4 months
6-9 months
1-2 months
1-2 months
1-2 months
1-2 months
4-6 months
4 months
1-2 months
1-2 months
4-6 months
1 month
Storage Tips
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 1 tsp. sugar for use in
sweet dishes, or 1 tsp. salt for non-sweet dishes.
May also store unripe or hard apples at 60-70°F.
Ripen at room temperature before refrigerating. Bananas &
avocados 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.
Keep in original packaging for refrigeration. When freezing
longer than 2 weeks, overwrap with freezer wrap.
Fresh meats should 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.
EGGS
FRUIT
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Sources: United States Department of Agriculture; Food Marketing Institute; Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University
MEATS
POULTRY & FISH
VEGETABLES