Storage times from the USDA for our food!

Storage Times For Refrigerated Foods (from Refrigeration & Food Safety | Food Safety and Inspection Service)

NOTE: These short, safe time limits will help keep home-refrigerated food from spoiling.

Ground Meat, Ground Poultry, and Stew Meat

  • Ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb 1-2 days

  • Stew meats 1-2 days

  • Fresh Meat (Beef, Veal, Lamb, and Pork)

  • Steaks, chops, roasts 3-5 days

  • Variety meats (Tongue, kidneys, liver, heart, chitterlings) 1-2 days

Fresh Poultry

  • Chicken or turkey, whole 1-2 days

  • Chicken or turkey, parts 1-2 days

  • Giblets 1-2 days

Bacon and Sausage

  • Bacon 7 days

  • Sausage, raw from meat or poultry, 1-2 days

  • Smoked breakfast links, patties 7 days

  • Summer sausage labeled "Keep Refrigerated" Unopened, 3 months; Opened, 3 weeks

  • Hard sausage (such as Pepperoni) 2-3 weeks

Ham, Corned Beef

  • Ham, canned, labeled "Keep Refrigerated" Unopened, 6-9 months; Opened, 3-5 days

  • Ham, fully cooked, whole 7 days

  • Ham, fully cooked, half 3-5 days

  • Ham, fully cooked, slices 3-4 days

  • Corned beef in a pouch with pickling juices for 5-7 days

Hot Dogs and Luncheon Meats

  • Hot dogs Unopened package, 2 weeks;

  • Opened package, 1 week

  • Luncheon meats Unopened package, 2 weeks; Opened package, 3-5 days

Deli and Vacuum-Packed Products

  • Store-prepared (or homemade) egg, chicken, tuna, ham, and macaroni salads 3-5 days

  • Pre-stuffed pork, lamb chops, and chicken breasts 1 day

  • Store-cooked dinners and entrees 3-4 days

  • Commercial brand vacuum-packed dinners with/USDA seal, unopened 2 weeks

Cooked Meat, Poultry, and Fish Leftovers

  • Pieces and cooked casseroles 3-4 days

  • Gravy and broth, patties, and nuggets 3-4 days

  • Soups and Stews 3-4 days

  • Fresh Fish and Shellfish

  • Fresh Fish and Shellfish 1-2 days

Eggs

  • Fresh, in shell, 3-5 weeks

  • Raw yolks, whites 2-4 days

  • Hard-cooked 1 week

  • Liquid pasteurized eggs, egg substitutes Unopened, 10 days; Opened, 3 days

  • Cooked egg dishes 3-4 days

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