Freezer Storage Times for Common Ingredients
Most commercial freezers have an operating temperature of -10 degrees Fahrenheit and a holding range between -10 and 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Bacteria and mold stop growing when frozen to 0 degrees Fahrenheit; however, they can be reactivated once thawed. Therefore, ensuring your freezer is operating at the proper temperature has a direct effect on how long you can store food. Theoretically, food stored at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit should be able to last indefinitely. Realistically, the quality of food declines the longer it’s kept in a freezer, so it's wise to limit how long you keep frozen food. We'll go over the proper freezer storage times for various products to help ensure your food tastes fresh.
Meat & Poultry
Meat is commonly kept in a freezer to extend its life. So, how long can you keep meat in the freezer? Usually, the type of meat will not affect storage times; however, there are some exceptions. Larger cuts of meats can be stored longer, while smaller portions last only a couple of months.
Fresh Meat & Poultry
- Steak (6-12 months)
- Chops and Roasts (4-12 months)
- Whole Chicken and Turkey (12 months)
- Chicken and Turkey Parts (9 months)
- Ground Beef (3-4 months)
- Ground Chicken (3-4 months)
Cooked Meat & Poultry
- Cooked Meat (3-4 months)
- Cooked Poultry (4-6 months)
- Fried Chicken (4 months)
- Chicken Nugget Patties (1-3 months)
- Gravy (2-3 months)
Fish & Shellfish
Fish and shellfish won't remain fresh as long as meat, with 8 months usually being the maximum recommended freezer storage time for fish. However, freezer storage times for shellfish, such as crab and lobster, can be well over 8 months.
Fish
- Lean Fish (6-8 months)
- Fatty Fish (2-3 months)
- Cooked Fish (4-6 months)
- Smoked Fish (2 months)
Shellfish
- Shrimp, Scallops, Clams, and Squid (3-6 months)
- Live Clams, Mussels, and Oysters (2-3 months)
- Lobster (12 months)
- Crab (10 months)
Eggs & Dairy
Only certain dairy and egg products can be safely stored in a freezer. Freezing milk causes it to start separating, which may not harm the milk, but it will change the appearance and texture. Freezing eggs with their shells still intact causes the egg to crack, so eggs should be cracked open and placed in muffin tins or other containers before freezing.
Eggs
- Eggs in Shells (DO NOT FREEZE)
- Raw Eggs (1 month)
- Unopened Egg Substitutes (12 months)
- Opened Egg Substitutes (DO NOT FREEZE)
Dairy
- Margarine (12 months)
- Butter (6-9 months)
- Hard and Soft Cheese (6 months)
- Ice Cream (2 months)
- Yogurt (1-2 months)
- Cottage Cheese (1 month)
Breads
Freezing bread can greatly extend the product's life, provided you store it properly. If you want to freeze freshly baked bread, you must first ensure it is completely cool. Bread should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then covered in freezer paper or foil.
- Yeast Bread (6 months)
- Yeast Dough (2 weeks)
- Quick Breads (2 months)
- Soft or Hard Tortillas (3 months)
- Cake (4-6 months)
- Cookies (3 months)
- Cookie Dough (2 months)
- Unbaked Pastries (2 months)
Freezing Tips
Keeping your products properly frozen is the key to maintaining your food's freshness and taste. Follow the recommended food storage times above to ensure your food won't lose its quality. However, in addition to maintaining proper storage times, you can take some other steps when freezing food.
- Buy and freeze the product before its expiration or sell-by date. You want to freeze food when it is at peak freshness.
- If you're planning on freezing meat or poultry, overwrap the prepackaged product in freezer paper, foil, or plastic wrap.
- Baked bread should be completely cooled and then wrapped in freezer paper, foil, or plastic wrap.
- Before freezing, remove eggs from their shells and canned food from their cans.
- Label food to prevent mix ups.
- Make sure your freezer consistently operates at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
