Picture this: you make an amazing dinner, you have tons of leftovers, and now your fridge is full. Except the countdown clock is ticking and you’re wondering, “How am I supposed to eat all this before it goes bad?” In this scenario, knowing how long cooked food can last in the fridge is crucial. The information will help you create a plan for your leftovers by eating or freezing the foods with a shorter shelf life first, and then moving on to the more stable dishes.
First, some food storage safety tips. In general, all raw or cooked foods must be placed in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours of cooking to prevent foodborne illness Kim SchapiraRD, a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Coach Orderly. But try to stow it away as soon as possible. The longer it sits outside, the more likely it is to grow harmful bacteria that can make you sick, Shapira says. (Oh, and the idea that you shouldn’t put hot food directly in the fridge? A myth, according to the Washington State Department of Health and Human Services.) Bonus tip: To “lock in its freshness,” Shapira suggests storing leftovers in an airtight glass container.
If you’ve sealed and stored your cooked food properly, here’s exactly how long ordinary foods will keep in the fridge and freezer before you should say goodbye to them. (All food guidelines here are from FoodSafety.gov and the United States Department of Agriculture.) Of course, if anything fails the sniff test before If you don’t follow any of these guidelines, throw them out — but for the most part, your leftovers should be safe in those windows.
poultry
How long does cooked chicken keep in the fridge?
Consume cooked chicken within three to four days while storing in the refrigerator, or store in the freezer for up to four months. Raw chicken is safe in the refrigerator for a day or two, but is safe in the freezer for up to nine months or a year.
How long does turkey keep in the fridge?
Raw turkey (whole or cut into chunks) keeps for 1-2 days in the refrigerator, but if fully cooked and refrigerated, it should be consumed within 3-4 days. Frozen raw turkey will last up to a year if whole, or up to nine months if cut into chunks.
Red meat
How long does ground beef keep in the fridge?
Cooked ground beef should be discarded after three to four days in the refrigerator. It’s best to cook and eat your raw ground beef within a day or two if stored in the refrigerator, but it can last up to three or four months in the freezer.
How long does bacon last in the fridge?
Bacon keeps for up to a week in the fridge, but if kept in the freezer it’s safe for a month.
How long does pork keep in the fridge?
Raw pork is safe in the refrigerator for three to five days, but can stay fresh in the freezer for four to 12 months. Cooked, refrigerated pork should be consumed within three to four days.
How long does beef keep in the fridge?
Steaks, chops, and roasts are fine in the refrigerator for three to five days when raw, but can last four to 12 months in the freezer. When your beef is fully cooked and refrigerated, consume it within three to four days.
fishes
How long does salmon keep in the fridge?
Salmon can be stored in the refrigerator for one to three days, but can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
How long does fish keep in the fridge?
Most other raw fish will keep in the fridge for 1 to 3 days, like salmon. But when fully cooked, all fish should be eaten within three to four days. Oily fish such as catfish, mackerel and tuna are safe in the freezer for two to three months, while lean fish such as cod, halibut, redfish, sea trout and pollock have a frozen shelf life of four to eight months.
lunch meat
How long does meat keep in the fridge?
If the package is opened or sliced, it will keep for three to five days in the refrigerator, but unopened and unsliced cured meat is safe for up to two weeks. In the freezer (opened or unopened), delicatessen will last one to two months.
How long does ham keep in the fridge?
The freshness of the ham depends on how it is prepared.
- Fresh, uncured, undercooked ham is safe in the refrigerator for three to five days, but in the freezer for up to six months.
- Fresh, uncured, cooked ham is safe in the refrigerator for three to four days and in the freezer for three to four months.
- Cured, uncooked ham is safe in the refrigerator for five to seven days (or until the use by date) and in the freezer for three to four months.
- Fully cooked, vacuum-sealed, and unopened ham has a shelf life of two weeks in the refrigerator (or until the use-by date) and one to two months in the freezer.
- A cooked, packaged, whole ham is safe in the refrigerator for a week, but is safe in the freezer for a month or two.
- Cooked, storage-packaged slices or spiral-cut ham will keep for three to five days in the refrigerator, but will keep in the freezer for one to two months.
- Cooked country ham keeps for a week in the fridge and a month in the freezer.
- Prosciutto, or dry Italian ham, is safe for two to three months in the refrigerator and one month in the freezer.
Pizza
How long does pizza keep in the fridge?
Leftover pizza is safe in the fridge for three to four days, but if for some reason you don’t gobble all the leftovers by then, it’ll keep in the freezer for up to two months.
eggs and dairy products
How long do eggs keep in the fridge?
Raw eggs are safe in the refrigerator for three to four weeks, but they should be Not be frozen in the shell. Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the fridge for up to seven days, but be sure to leave the shells on to ward off bacteria and prevent odors from penetrating the egg. Hard boiled eggs should Not be frozen.
How long does milk keep in the fridge?
Yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or two, or a month or two if stored in the freezer. Soft cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, or brie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, but should not be frozen. Hard cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan can last up to six months unopened, three to four weeks once opened, and up to six months frozen. Processed cheese slices should not be frozen, but will keep for one to two months in the refrigerator.
How long does ice cream last in the fridge?
Little-Known Fact: Ice cream doesn’t keep forever, so eat within six weeks of opening. Unopened, ice cream can be kept for up to three months.
Image Source: Getty / Martin Poole
