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# Storage times for food
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/storage_times_for_food_0412110836/
- Published: 2011-04-12T21:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:07:59.000Z
- Description: A USDA chart of safe refrigerator and freezer times: 3 to 5 days for egg, chicken, ham and tuna salads, 1 to 2 days for ground meat and raw poultry, 3 to 4 days for leftovers. Freezer limits cover quality only, since frozen food stays safe indefinitely.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Biological, Food Safety, #vivvo-import

# Storage Times for the Refrigerator and Freezer

These short but safe time limits for home-refrigerated foods will keep them from spoiling or becoming dangerous to eat. The guidelines for freezer storage are for quality only. Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely.

For storage times for eggs and foods made with eggs, see [Egg Storage Chart](https://www.foodconsumer.org/storage%5Ftimes%5Ffor%5Ffood%5F0412110836/).

| **Category**                                    | **Food**                                                             | **Refrigerator**(40 °F or below) | **Freezer**(0 °F or below) |
| ----------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| **Salads**                                      | Egg, chicken, ham, tuna & macaroni salads                            | 3 to 5 days                      | Does not freeze well       |
| **Hot dogs**                                    | opened package                                                       | 1 week                           | 1 to 2 months              |
| unopened package                                | 2 weeks                                                              | 1 to 2 months                    |                            |
| **Luncheon meat**                               | opened package or deli sliced                                        | 3 to 5 days                      | 1 to 2 months              |
| unopened package                                | 2 weeks                                                              | 1 to 2 months                    |                            |
| **Bacon & Sausage**                             | Bacon                                                                | 7 days                           | 1 month                    |
| Sausage, raw — from chicken, turkey, pork, beef | 1 to 2 days                                                          | 1 to 2 months                    |                            |
| **Hamburger & Other Ground Meats**              | Hamburger, ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, & mixtures of them | 1 to 2 days                      | 3 to 4 months              |
| **Fresh Beef, Veal, Lamb & Pork**               | Steaks                                                               | 3 to 5 days                      | 6 to 12 months             |
| Chops                                           | 3 to 5 days                                                          | 4 to 6 months                    |                            |
| Roasts                                          | 3 to 5 days                                                          | 4 to 12 months                   |                            |
| **Fresh Poultry**                               | Chicken or turkey, whole                                             | 1 to 2 days                      | 1 year                     |
| Chicken or turkey, pieces                       | 1 to 2 days                                                          | 9 months                         |                            |
| **Soups & Stews**                               | Vegetable or meat added                                              | 3 to 4 days                      | 2 to 3 months              |
| **Leftovers**                                   | Cooked meat or poultry                                               | 3 to 4 days                      | 2 to 6 months              |
| Chicken nuggets or patties                      | 3 to 4 days                                                          | 1 to 3 months                    |                            |
| Pizza                                           | 3 to 4 days                                                          | 1 to 2 months                    |                            |