Food Storage Calculator
Leftovers in a foggy container? Raw chicken you bought Tuesday? Pick a food, see how long it typically lasts in the refrigerator, freezer, or pantry — then cross-check smell, labels, and your local guidance before you eat.
Category
Refrigerator
1–2 days
≤40°F (4°C)
Freezer
9–12 months
0°F (-18°C) or below
Pantry
—
Cool, dry shelf
- Store on a tray to catch drips; keep below ready-to-eat foods.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken — raw (whole or pieces) | 1–2 days | 9–12 months |
| Turkey — raw whole | 1–2 days | 9–12 months |
| Ground beef, pork, or poultry — raw | 1–2 days | 3–4 months |
| Beef or pork steaks & roasts — raw | 3–5 days | 4–12 months |
| Bacon & hot dogs — unopened | Up to 7 days (Check package) | 1–2 months |
| Deli sliced meats — opened | 3–5 days | 1–2 months (Texture may suffer) |
| Fish & shellfish — raw | 1–2 days | 2–3 months |
| Fish & shellfish — cooked | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
| Milk — opened or fresh | Up to 7 days (After sell-by if it smells fine) | — |
| Eggs — in shell | 3–5 days (Weeks from pack date) | — |
| Hard cheese — opened | 3–4 days (Weeks for many firm cheeses) | 6–9 months (Months; crumbly when thawed) |
| Cream cheese, ricotta, soft cheese — opened | 1–2 days (Weeks unopened; shorter once opened) | — |
| Butter | 1–3 days (Months) | 6–9 months |
| Cooked meat or poultry | 3–4 days | 2–6 months |
| Pizza & takeout leftovers | 3–4 days | 1–2 months (Months) |
| Soups, stews, chili | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
| Rice — cooked | 4–6 days | At least 6 months (Months) |
| Pasta — cooked | 3–5 days | 1–2 months (Months; sauce may separate) |
| Egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad | 3–5 days | — |
| Leafy greens & salads — washed | 3–7 days | — |
| Berries | 3–7 days | — |
| Hardy vegetables (carrots, broccoli, peppers) | 5–14 days (Varies by item) | — |
| Bread & rolls | Dries out faster — not ideal | 2–3 months (Months) |
| Cake with buttercream or cream cheese frosting | 3–5 days | 2–3 months (Months unfrosted freezes better) |
When in doubt, throw it out. For frozen meat timing before you cook, use the meat thaw calculator and internal temperature chart.
Rules that apply to almost everything
Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C). Chill cooked food within two hours — one hour when it is hot outside. Store raw meat on the lowest shelf in a sealed container so drips do not cross-contaminate ready-to-eat items.
Freezing pauses bacterial growth but does not erase mishandling before you froze. Label containers with the date you froze them so you are not guessing months later.
Pair with other kitchen tools
Thawing frozen protein? Use the meat thaw calculator. Confirm doneness with the internal temperature chart. Planning portions before you cook? Try the rice and pasta portion calculators so you store less excess.
FAQ
- Are these storage times guaranteed safe?
- No chart replaces your nose, eyes, and local health rules. We show typical planning windows used in consumer guidance. If food smells off, looks slimy, or sat out too long, discard it even inside the listed range.
- Does the clock start at purchase or when I open the package?
- For opened foods, count from when you opened or prepared them. For raw meat, count from when you brought it home unless the package has a use-by date that is sooner — always follow the earlier deadline.
- Can I refreeze thawed meat?
- If it thawed safely in the refrigerator, you may refreeze raw meat though quality can suffer. If it thawed in cold water or the microwave, cook it first. This storage tool does not replace thawing rules — see the meat thaw calculator.
- Why do cooked leftovers have shorter freezer times than raw meat?
- Cooked foods have already been through the danger zone once; quality and moisture change faster. Freezing still extends life, but many leftovers are best within a few months for taste and texture.
Disclaimer: Reference only — not medical or legal advice. When storage guidance conflicts, follow the product label and your local health department.
Elsewhere on Kitchen Calculators
Home · Popular tools · Meat thaw calculator · Internal temperature chart · Turkey size calculator