Sources: United States of Agriculture; Food Marketing Institute; Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State
University
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.
23
22
Food Storage Tips
Food Storage Tips
DAIRY PRODUCTS
Butter
Milk and cream
Cream cheese,
cheese spread, and
cheese food
Cottage cheese
Sour cream
Hard cheese
(Swiss, Cheddar and
Parmesan)
1 month
1 week
1 to 2 weeks
3 to 5 days
10 days
1 to 2 months
6 to 9 months
Not recommended.
Not recommended.
Not recommended.
Not recommended.
4 to 6 months
May become
crumbly.
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.
Store in original carton.
Check carton date.
Wrap tightly.
Cut off any mold.
EGGS
Eggs in the shell
Leftover yolks or
whites
3 weeks
2 to 4 days
Not recommended.
9 to 12 months
Refrigerate small ends down.
For each cup of yolks to be
frozen, add 1 tsp. sugar for
use in sweet or 1 tsp. salt for
non-sweet dishes.
FRUITS
Apples
Bananas
Pears, plums,
avocados
Berries, cherries,
apricots
Grapes
Citrus fruits
Pineapples, cut
1 month
2 to 4 days
3 to 4 days
2 to 3 days
3 to 5 days
1 to 2 weeks
2 to 3 days
8 months (cooked)
6 months
(whole/peeled)
Not recommended.
6 months
1 month (whole)
Not recommended.
6 to 12 months
May also store unripe or hard
apples at 60° to 70°F (16° to
21°C).
Ripen at room temperature
before refrigerating. Bananas
darken when refrigerated.
Ripen at room temperature
before refrigerating. Avoca-
dos darken when refrigerated.
Ripen at room temperature
before refrigerating.
Ripen at room temperature
before refrigerating.
May also store at 60° to 70°F
(16° to 21°C). If refrigerated,
store uncovered.
Will not ripen after purchase.
Use quickly.
Refrigerator
Freezer
Storage Tips
Foods
VEGETABLES
Asparagus
Brussel sprouts,
broccoli, cauliflower,
green peas, lima beans,
onions, peppers
Cabbage, celery
Carrots, parsnips, beets
and turnips
Lettuce
1 to 2 days
3 to 5 days
1 to 2 weeks
7 to 10 days
7 to 10 days
8 to 10 months
8 to 10 months
Not recommended.
8 to 10 months
Not recommended.
Do not wash before
refrigerating. Store in crisper.
Wrap odorous foods.
Leave peas in pods.
Wrap odorous foods and
refrigerate in cripser.
Remove tops. Wrap odorous
foods and refrigerate in
crisper.
POULTRY and FISH
Chicken and Turkey,
whole
Chicken and Turkey,
pieces
Fish
1 to 2 days
1 to 2 days
1 to 2 days
12 months
9 months
2 to 6 months
Keep in original packaging
for refrigeration. Place in the
meat and cheese drawer.
When freezing longer than
two weeks, wrap with freezer
wrap.
MEATS
Bacon
Beef or Lamb,
ground
Beef or lamb, roast and
steak
Ham, (fully cooked)
whole
half
slices
Luncheon meat
Pork, roast
Pork, chops
Sausage, ground
Sausage, smoked
Veal
Frankfurters
7 days
1 to 2 days
3 to 5 days
7 days
5 days
3 days
3 to 5 days
3 to 5 days
3 to 5 days
1 to 2 days
7 days
3 to 5 days
7 days
1 month
3 to 4 months
6 to 9 months
1 to 2 months
1 to 2 months
1 to 2 months
1 to 2 months
4 to 6 months
4 months
1 to 2 months
1 to 2 months
4 to 6 months
1 month
Fresh meats can be kept in
original packaging for
refrigeration.
Place in the meat and cheese
drawer. When freezing
longer than two weeks, wrap
with freezer wrap.
Unopened, vacuum-packed
luncheon meat may be kept
up to two weeks in the meat
and cheese drawer.
Processed meats should be
tightly wrapped and stored
in the meat and cheese
drawer.
Refrigerator
Freezer
Storage Tips
Foods
