The storage times listed below are guidelines for maintaining best quality, not safety deadlines. Food stored continuously at 0°F (-18°C) remains safe indefinitely from a food safety standpoint — bacteria cannot grow at that temperature. However, quality (flavor, texture, color, and nutritional value) degrades gradually over time.
These times assume food was fresh when frozen, was properly packaged in airtight packaging, and the freezer maintains a consistent 0°F (-18°C). Poorly packaged food or a fluctuating freezer temperature will shorten these times significantly.
| Food | Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Steaks, chops, roasts (beef, pork, lamb) | 4 to 12 months |
| Ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, lamb) | 3 to 4 months |
| Whole chicken or turkey | 12 months |
| Chicken or turkey pieces | 9 months |
| Bacon | 1 to 2 months |
| Sausage (raw) | 1 to 2 months |
| Ham (whole or half) | 1 to 2 months |
| Hot dogs | 1 to 2 months |
| Lunch meats / deli slices | 1 to 2 months |
| Cooked meat and poultry | 2 to 3 months |
| Food | Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Lean fish (cod, tilapia, flounder) | 6 to 8 months |
| Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna) | 2 to 3 months |
| Shrimp and shellfish | 3 to 6 months |
| Cooked fish | 4 to 6 months |
| Smoked fish | 2 months |
| Food | Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Berries (all types) | 8 to 12 months |
| Stone fruits (peaches, cherries, plums) | 8 to 12 months |
| Citrus (juice or zest) | 3 to 4 months |
| Bananas | 2 to 3 months |
| Apples (sliced, treated) | 8 to 12 months |
| Tropical fruits (mango, pineapple) | 8 to 12 months |
| Avocados (puréed) | 4 to 6 months |
| Fruit purées | 8 to 12 months |
| Food | Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Blanched vegetables (most types) | 8 to 12 months |
| Corn (on cob, blanched) | 8 to 12 months |
| Tomatoes (raw, whole or chopped) | 2 to 3 months |
| Tomato sauce or paste | 6 to 8 months |
| Potatoes (blanched or cooked) | 10 to 12 months |
| Mushrooms (sautéed) | 10 to 12 months |
| Onions (chopped, raw) | 3 to 6 months |
| Garlic (minced or whole cloves) | 10 to 12 months |
| Herbs (in oil or water) | 3 to 6 months |
| Food | Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Butter | 6 to 9 months |
| Hard cheese (cheddar, Swiss) | 6 to 8 months |
| Soft cheese (brie, cream cheese) | Not recommended |
| Shredded cheese | 3 to 4 months |
| Milk | 1 to 3 months |
| Heavy cream | 2 to 4 months (for cooking only) |
| Eggs (raw, out of shell) | 12 months |
| Yogurt | 1 to 2 months |
| Food | Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Bread (sliced or whole loaves) | 3 to 6 months |
| Tortillas | 6 to 8 months |
| Pizza dough | 3 months |
| Cooked rice | 6 months |
| Cooked pasta | 2 to 3 months |
| Pancakes and waffles | 2 to 3 months |
| Muffins and quick breads | 2 to 3 months |
| Cookie dough | 3 months |
| Pie (baked or unbaked) | 2 to 4 months |
| Food | Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Soups and stews | 2 to 3 months |
| Casseroles | 2 to 3 months |
| Cooked beans | 6 months |
| Sauces (tomato, pesto, etc.) | 3 to 6 months |
| Broth and stock | 4 to 6 months |
| Baby food purées | 1 to 3 months |
| Smoothie packs | 3 to 6 months |