ShelfLife
How long does food last in the freezer?
Food kept frozen at −18 °C (0 °F) stays safe, but its quality slowly declines. These are the times for best taste and texture.
Dairy and eggs
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Butter | 6–9 monthsfrom purchase |
| Buttermilk | 3 monthsfrom purchase |
| Hard cheese (cheddar, Swiss, block parmesan) | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Soft cheese (brie, goat cheese) | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella) | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Grated parmesan, dry | Not recommended |
| Processed cheese slices | Not recommended |
| Cottage cheese | Not recommended |
| Heavy cream | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Ultra-pasteurized whipping cream | Not recommended |
| Half-and-half | 4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Sweetened whipped cream | 1–2 months |
| Cream cheese | Not recommended |
| Raw eggs in the shell | Not recommended |
| Raw whites or yolks | 12 months |
| Hard-boiled eggs | Not recommended |
| Kefir | Not recommended |
| Margarine and spreads | 12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Fresh milk | 3 monthsfrom purchase |
| Lactose-free milk | Not recommended |
| Ricotta | Not recommended |
| Yogurt | 1–2 months |
Meat
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Raw bacon | 1 monthfrom purchase |
| Uncured bacon | 3–4 weeks |
| Raw corned beef in a pouch with brine | 1 monthfrom purchase |
| Pre-packaged deli meat (ham, turkey, salami) | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Deli meat sliced at the counter | 1–2 months |
| Raw ground beef | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cooked ground beef dishes | 2–3 months |
| Whole cooked ham, bone-in | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Spiral-cut or sliced cooked ham | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Vacuum-packed boneless cooked ham | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Hot dogs | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Lamb chops, ribs or loin | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Boneless leg of lamb | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Lamb stew meat | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Ground lamb | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Pork chops | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Pork loin roast | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Pork tenderloin | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Pork shoulder | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Ground pork | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Prosciutto | 1 month |
| Raw sausage (links, patties, bulk) | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Fully cooked smoked sausage, kielbasa | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Hard dry sausage, sliced (pepperoni) | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Beef steaks | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Beef roasts (round, rump) | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Chuck roast, brisket | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Veal shoulder roast | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Veal leg roast | 4–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Ground veal | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
Poultry
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Whole raw chicken | 12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Boneless chicken breasts | 9 monthsfrom purchase |
| Bone-in chicken breasts | 9 monthsfrom purchase |
| Chicken legs or thighs | 9 monthsfrom purchase |
| Ground chicken or turkey | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cooked chicken dishes | 4–6 months |
| Rotisserie chicken | 4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Whole duck | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Whole goose | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Whole raw turkey | 12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Boneless turkey breast | 9 monthsfrom purchase |
| Turkey legs or thighs | 9 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cooked turkey | 4–6 months |
Fish and seafood
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Fresh crab meat | 2–4 months |
| Crab legs (king, snow, Dungeness) | 9–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Pasteurized crab meat (sealed tub) | 4–10 monthsfrom purchase |
| Raw fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel) | 2–3 monthsfrom purchase |
| Raw lean fish (cod, haddock, sole) | 6–8 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cooked fish | 1–2 months |
| Live whole lobsterDon't cook and eat a whole lobster that was dead before cooking. | Not recommended |
| Cooked lobster tails | 2–4 weeksfrom purchase |
| Frozen raw lobster tailsFridge time is after cooking. Keep frozen; cook as directed. | 8 monthsfrom purchase |
| Live mussels, clams and oysters in the shell | 2–3 monthsfrom purchase |
| Shucked mussels, clams and oysters | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Scallops | 6–18 monthsfrom purchase |
| Raw shrimp | 6–18 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cooked shrimp and shellfish | 1–3 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cold-smoked salmon (lox), vacuum-packed | 9–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Hot-smoked fish, vacuum-packed | 6–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Surimi, imitation crab | 9 monthsfrom purchase |
Fruit
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| ApplesFreezer time is for cooked apples (sauce, pie filling). | 8 months |
| AvocadosFridge time is for ripe avocados. | Not recommended |
| BananasFridge time is for ripe bananas; the skin turns black. | 2–3 months |
| Cherries | 8–12 months |
| Fresh whole coconut | Not recommended |
| Shredded coconut | 1 year |
| Fresh cranberries | 12 months |
| GrapesFreezer time is for whole grapes. | 1 month |
| Kiwi fruitFridge time is for ripe kiwis. | Not recommended |
| Lemons, limes, oranges and other citrusWhole fruit doesn't freeze well; juice and zest do. | Not recommended |
| Mango, papaya, passion fruit | 6–8 months |
| Cantaloupe | 12 months |
| Honeydew | 12 months |
| Peaches, nectarines, plums, pearsOn the counter until ripe, then 1 to 2 days. Fridge time is for ripe fruit. Freezer time is for slices with lemon juice and sugar. | 2 months |
| PineappleOn the counter until ripe, then 1 to 2 days. Fridge time is for ripe fruit. | 10–12 months |
| Pomegranate | 10–12 months |
| Strawberries | 8–12 months |
| Raspberries | 8–12 months |
| Blueberries | 8–12 months |
| WatermelonCounter: 1 to 2 days from purchase, or until ripe. | 12 months |
Vegetables and herbs
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Whole artichokes | Not recommended |
| Asparagus | 5 monthsfrom purchase |
| Fresh beets | 6–8 monthsfrom purchase |
| Bok choy | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Broccoli and broccoli rabe | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Brussels sprouts | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cabbage | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Carrots and parsnips | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Baby carrotsBlanch before freezing. | 3 months |
| Cauliflower | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Celery | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Corn on the cob | 8 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cucumbers | Not recommended |
| Eggplant | 6–8 monthsfrom purchase |
| Fresh herbs | 1–2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Fresh parsley | 3–4 months |
| Garlic | 1 monthfrom purchase |
| Fresh ginger root | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Green beans, snow peas, sugar snaps, fava beans | 8 monthsfrom purchase |
| Kale | 8–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Leeks | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Iceberg or romaine lettuce | Not recommended |
| Leaf lettuce and spinach | Not recommended |
| Bagged salad greensUSDA: unopened, 3 to 5 days after the date on the bag; 2 days once opened. | Not recommended |
| Fresh mushrooms | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Onions (yellow, white, red) | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Green onions (scallions) | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Bell peppers | 6–8 monthsfrom purchase |
| Hot peppers (chili, jalapeño) | 9 months |
| PotatoesFreezer time is for cooked or mashed potatoes. | 10–12 months |
| Winter squash (butternut, acorn) | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Radishes | Not recommended |
| TomatoesOn the counter until ripe, then about 7 days. | 2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Zucchini | 10 months |
| Summer squash | 10–12 monthsfrom purchase |
Bread and baked goods
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Fresh-baked bagels | 3 months |
| Store-bought frozen bagels | 3 months |
| Store-bought bread, rolls and buns | 3–5 monthsfrom purchase |
| Homemade bread | 3 months |
| Store-bought cake | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Cheesecake | 3–6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Crispy cookies | 8–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Soft cookies | 8–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Homemade muffins | 2–3 months |
| Store-bought muffins | 3 months |
| Fruit pie (apple, cherry, peach) | 8 months |
| Pumpkin pie | 1–2 months |
| Pecan pie | 1–2 months |
| Cream pie | Not recommended |
| Dough in tubes (biscuits, rolls, pizza) | Not recommended |
| Ready-to-bake pie crust | 2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Refrigerated cookie dough | 2 monthsfrom purchase |
| Puff pastry | 12 months |
| Flour tortillas | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
Rice, grains, beans and pasta
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Cooked rice | 6 months |
| Whole grain oats (groats) | 8 months |
| Cooked pasta | 1–2 months |
| Fresh pasta, homemade or loose | 2 months |
| Cooked quinoa | 6–12 months |
Leftovers and prepared food
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Store-bought hummus (with preservatives) | Not recommended |
| Homemade or fresh hummus (no preservatives) | Not recommended |
| Leftovers with meat, fish, poultry or eggs | 2–3 months |
| Leftovers without meat (vegetables, potatoes) | 1–2 months |
| Leftover pizza | 1–2 months |
| Pâté from the deli counter | 1–2 months |
| Leftover pizza | 1–2 months |
| Frozen pizzaFridge time is after cooking. Keep frozen; cook as directed. | 12 months |
| Potato salad | Not recommended |
| Pasta salad | Not recommended |
| Egg salad | Not recommended |
| Chicken salad | Not recommended |
| Soups and stews | 2–3 months |
| Homemade vegetable soup | 3 months |
Condiments and sauces
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Dry ground mustard | 1–2 years |
| Olives from an olive bar | Not recommended |
| Homemade fresh salsa | 12 months |
Baking ingredients and spices
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Dry yeast (packets or jar)Must be refrigerated or frozen once opened. | 6 months |
Pantry staples
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Store-bought broth or stock (carton, can)Bouillon cubes keep 1 year; made-up broth 3 to 4 days in the fridge. | 2–3 months |
| Homemade broth or stock | 2–3 months |
| Canned coconut milk | 3 months |
| Canned coconut cream | 3 months |
| Crackers | 3–4 months |
| Dates | 1–2 years |
| Nuts in jars or cans | 6–12 months |
| Walnuts | 24 monthsfrom purchase |
| Shelled peanuts | 24 monthsfrom purchase |
Frozen food
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Frozen vegetablesFridge time is after cooking. Keep frozen; cook as directed. | 10–18 monthsfrom purchase |
| Ice cream | 6 monthsfrom purchase |
| Sherbet and sorbet | 9 monthsfrom purchase |
Drinks
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Store-bought ground coffee | 6–12 months |
| Orange juice in a carton, sold chilled | 8–12 monthsfrom purchase |
| Freshly squeezed orange juice | 2–3 weeks |
| Frozen orange juice concentrate | 12 monthsfrom purchase |
Tofu and plant proteins
| Food | Freezer |
|---|---|
| Tofu | 5 monthsfrom purchase |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.