The chart below contains suggested safe time limits for keeping refrigerated foods from spoiling or becoming unsafe to eat.
Because freezing can keep food safe indefinitely, the recommended storage times are for quality only.
Unless otherwise stated, the storage times are from date of purchase.
| Refrigerator (40°F/4.4°C) | Freezer (0°F/-18°C) | |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon & Sausage | ||
| Bacon | 7 days | 1 month |
| Sausage, raw | 1 to 2 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Smoked breakfast sausage | 7 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Hot Dogs & Luncheon Meats | ||
| Hot dogs - opened | 1 week | 1 to 2 months |
| Hot dogs - unopened | 2 weeks | 1 to 2 months |
| Luncheon meats - opened | 3 to 5 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Luncheon meats - unopened | 2 weeks | 1 to 2 months |
| Ham | ||
| Ham - fully cooked, whole | 7 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Ham - fully cooked, slices | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Hamburger, Ground & Stew Meat | ||
| Ground hamburger, turkey, pork mixtures; stew meat | 1 to 2 days | 3 to 4 months |
| Fresh Beef, Veal, Lamb, Pork | ||
| Steaks, roasts | 3 to 5 days | 6 - 12 months |
| Chops | 3 to 5 days | 4 - 6 months |
| Fresh Poultry | ||
| Chicken or turkey | 1 to 2 days | 6 months |
| Fish | ||
| Lean fish (cod, etc.) | 1 to 2 days | 6 months |
| Fatty fish (salmon, etc.) | 1 to 2 days | 2 to 3 months |
