Food Storage Guidelines

General Guidelines for Grocery Storage

Some expiration dates are meant to be followed - such as fresh meat and dairy products. Spoilage in these items can result in illness. Other items have a lot more flexibility. Many canned goods kept in cool but not cold storage are perfectly good years after their expiration date. The texture, color and quality might deteriorate, but if the packaging is intact the product inside should not spoil. Even so, purchase only what you expect to consume before the expiration date.

When purchasing food, look for the expiration date. Avoid old or dusty looking packages and find the freshest product on the shelf. Do not purchase bulging cans or cans dented near a seam or end cap. If cans become dented on the trip home, refrigerate and consume as soon as possible.

Store canned and packaged grocery items in a cool dark place, away from dampness and humidity or appliances that produce heat.

Rotate your items. Write the date on the package in indelible marker, put the newest items on the BACK of the shelf, and keep the oldest items forward so you use them first.

 

Airtight container = a glass or hard plastic container that is impervious to air, moisture, and vapors.

Plastic bag = freezer bags, tightly covered in plastic wrap, plastic tupperware or rubbermaid contaner, or other wrapping that will prevent loss of moisture and exposure to air.

Staples
Food	Length of Storage	Storage Conditions
Baking powder	18 months	Keep dry and covered.
Baking soda	2 years	Keep dry and covered.
Bouillon   cubes or granules	1 year	Keep dry and covered.
Bread crumbs, dry	6 months	Keep dry and covered.
Bread, rolls	3 days	Store at room temperature.
Bulgur	6-12 months
Canned Soup	2 - 3 years	Will lose texture, color, and flavor  after expiration date, but still remain  edible.
Cereals  ready to eat, unopened  ready to eat, opened	6-12 months  2-3 months	Refold inner package or  repackage after opening.
Hot Cereal, dry	6 months
Chocolate  premelted  semi-sweet  unsweetened	12 months  18 months  18 months	Keep cool.
Cocoa	Indefinitely
Chocolate Syrup  unopened  opened	2 years  6 months	Refrigerate after opening.
Cocoa Mixes	8 months	Store in airtight container.
Coffee  cans, unopened  cans, opened  instant, unopened  instant, opened	2 years  2 weeks  1 to 2 years  2 months	Store in airtight container  in refrigerator. If stored in  freezer shelf life is greatly  extended.
Coffee lighteners  unopened, dry  opened, dry	9 months  6 months	Store in airtight container.
Corn syrup	3 years	Store in airtight container.  Refrigerate to extend storage life.
Cornmeal	12 months	Store in airtight container.  Can be frozen indefinitely.
Cornstarch	18 months	Store in airtight container.
Flour  white  all purpose  bread  pastry/cake  whole wheat  white whole wheat	6 - 8 months	Freeze for 4 days to kill any  insects or their eggs present  in flour.  Store in airtight container  in the refrigerator. Freeze indefinitely.  Add diastatic malt to old flour to  help it rise better.
Gelatin	18 months	Keep in original package.
Grits	12 months	Store in airtight container.
Honey	Indefinitely	Store in airtight glass container.  If crystals form, warm in pan of  hot water.
Jellies and Jams	12 months	Cover tightly and refrigerate after  opening.
Molasses  unopened  opened	2 years  6 months	Store in airtight container.  Refrigerate to extend storage life.
Marshmallow Cream  unopened	3 - 4 months	Cover tightly and refrigerate.  Serve at room temperature.
Marshmallows	2 - 3 months	Store in airtight container.
Mayonnaise  unopened	2 - 3 months	Refrigerate after opening.
Milk  condensed or evaporated  unopened	12 months	Refrigerate after opening.
Milk  nonfat dry  unopened  opened	6 months  3 months	Store in airtight container.
Pancake syrup	3 - 4 months	Refrigerate after opening.
Pasta  spaghetti, macaroni  egg noodles	2 years  6 months	Store in airtight container.
Pectin  liquid or dry, unopened  liquid, opened	1 year or exp. date  1 month	Store in airtight container   and refrigerate.
Rice   white  brown, wild  packaged, flavored	2 years  6 - 12 months  6 months	Freeze for 4 days to kill insects<  and their eggs.  Store in airtight container.
Salad dressings  bottled, unopened  bottled, opened  made from mix	10 - 12 months    3 months    2 weeks	Refrigerate after opening.
Shortenings (solid)	8 months	Store in a cool, dark place.
Sugar   granulated  confectioner's  artificial sweeteners	indefinitely	Store in airtight container.
Sugar  brown or turbinado	4 months	Store in airtight container.
Tea  bags  instant  loose	18 months  3 years  2 years	Store in airtight container.
Vegetable Oils  unopened  opened	6 months  1 - 3  months	Refrigeration not needed.  Store in an airtight container.  Oil will go rancid if kept in a  warm area, so store in a cool,  dark cabinet.
Vinegar  unopened  opened	2 years  12 months	Store in airtight container.  Cloudy appearance does not  affect quality.

 

General Guidelines for Refrigerator and Freezer Storage

The life of food placed in the refrigerator and freezer depends on temperature, and proper packaging for that food type.  Please follow the directions in the chart below.

A clean refrigerator smells fresh and reduces food spoilage. Be sure to trim off wilted leaves, and check containers regularly for signs of mold or other spoilage. Remove spoiled items immediately.

Set the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer according to the manufacturer guidelines. Monitor refrigerator temperature with a refrigerator thermometer or an outdoor thermometer and check your freezer daily for signs contents are defrosting. If your refrigerator or freezer fails, keep the door closed and put a heavy blanket around the outside, to preserve cold as long as possible. Use contents of the refrigerator after 24 hours, use contents of your freezer as it defrosts. It is always a good idea to keep enough canning and dehydrating supplies available to process the contents or your fridge and freezer to reduce waste.

Dairy
Product	Refrigerator	Freezer	Recommended Packaging
Butter	1 - 2 weeks	6 months	Leave in original wrapping.
Buttermilk	1 - 2 weeks	12 months	Original or airtight container.  If buttermilk separates, stir  to mix before serving.
Cheese,  cottage or ricotta	1 - 2 weeks	4 weeks	Store in original or airtight  container.
Cheese,  cream or Neufchatel	2 weeks	4 weeks	Store in moisture proof wrap  or container. May be crumbly  after freezing but is fine for  use in recipes.
Cheese, Hard  cheddar, swiss  unopened brick  opened brick	1 - 2 months  3 - 4 weeks	6 - 8 months	Store in moisture resistant wrap.  Handling with bare hands can  result in faster spoilage.
Cheese,  sliced American	2 weeks	4 months	Store in moisture resistant wrap.  May be crumbly after freezing but  will melt fine for grilled cheese, etc
Cheese,  Parmesan/Romano  unopened wedge  opened/grated	4 months  2 weeks	not recommended	Store in moisture proof wrap.  Slight molding around edges may  occur, just trim off.  If mold is extensive, discard.
Cheese  Parmesan/Romano  cylinder container	2 months	not necessary	Stores on shelf until opened.  Refrigerate for up to two months  after opening.
Cheese,  shredded cheeses	2 days after   "best by" date	4 months	Freezing may make crumbly or  cause to stick together. Fine for  use in recipes.
Dips,  commercial  prepared  homemade	2 weeks  2 days	do not freeze	Keep tightly covered and use as  quickly as possible. Contents  may separate.
Eggs in shell	3 weeks	do not freeze	Fresh eggs (direct from the farm)  can be kept on the counter up to  five days. Eggs that have been  refrigerated must remain refrigerated  and will last at least three weeks.  Wash well before using.
Eggs, separated	2 - 4 days	1 year
Eggs,	2 - 4 days	1 year	Place one egg per compartment  of your freezer tray. Mix with fork.  Remove from tray and place in  plastic bag. Freeze up to 1 year.
Eggs, hard cooked	1 week	1 year
Egg substitutes,  opened  unopened	3 days  10 days	1 year  1 year	Egg substitutes freeze well.  Store in original container.
Eggnog, commercial	3 - 5 days	6 months
Ice Cream, Sorbets		1 - 2 months	Overwrap to prevent crystals.
Margarine, spreads	4 - 6 months	2 months	Leave in original wrapping.
Mayonnaise	2 months	do not freeze
Milk,  whole, 2%,  or non-fat	4 - 5 days	1 year	Store in original container or  closed glass container.
Milk,  reconstituted	4 - 5 days	1 year	Store in original container or  closed glass container.
Milk, opened  evaporated  or condensed	4 - 5 days	1 year	Store in original container or  closed glass container.
Pudding	2 days	do not freeze	Can separate in freezer.
Sour Cream	2 weeks	1 year	Store in original container.
Whipped Butter	1 - 2 weeks	do not freeze	Will break down in freezer
Whipped Topping,   homemade	1 day	no recommended	Deflates and separates quickly.
Whipped Topping,  aerosol can	3 months	do not freeze	Dangerous if frozen.
Whipped Topping,  from mix	3 days	1 year	Store in closed container
Whipped Topping,  Cool Whip	2 - 3 weeks	14 months	Can be refrozen.
Yogurt	7 - 10 days	1 year	If unopened use within 2 weeks after  'best by' date. May separate when   frozen.

 

Most bakery items freeze very well, allowing you to cook in batches and stock up on sales. Wrap them as you plan on using the item when you remove it from the freezer. For example, wrap italian bread in double layers of aluminum foil so you can put it into the oven to warm before serving. Wrap breakfast muffins in double layers of plastic wrap, and let defrost overnight.

Bakery
Product	Refrigerator	Freezer	Recommended Packaging
Dough
Tube cans	'best by' date	do not freeze	May burst in freezer
Frozen pie crust	'best by' date	2 months	Store in original packaging.
Cookie dough	'best by' date	2 months	Store in original packaging.
Unbaked Pizza dough	'best by' date	2 months	Store in original packaging.
Breads
Fresh bread	not recommended	3 months	Store wrapped on counter  or freeze.
Unbaked dough	1 - 2 days	2 months	Let thaw completely.
Muffins, quick breads	3 days	1 - 2 months	Individually wrap
Pancake and waffles	2 days	1 - 2 months	Place waxed paper between.
Pastries, dougnuts	1 - 3 days	3 months	Icing may separate
Tortillas	1 week	3 months	Wrap well
Pizza dough	1 - 2 days	3 months	Overwrap, let thaw before use.
Cakes
Angelfood, spongecake	3 days	4 to 6 months	Wrap well
Cheesecake	3 - 7 days	4 to 6 months	Wrap well
Fruitcake	varies	1 year	Wrap well
Layer cakes	3 - 7 days	2 - 4 months	Wrap well
Cookies
Cookie dough	2 - 3 days	6 months	Wrap tightly
Baked cookies		4 - 6 months	Store in airtight container.
Pies
Chiffon, pumpkin	1 - 2 days	1 month	Wrap well
Fruit pies, baked	1 - 2 days	1 year	Wrap well, thaw
Fruit pies, unbaked	1 - 2 days	8 months	Bake unthawed
Custard pies	1 - 2 days	do not freeze	Filling will separate
Baked nut pies	4 - 5 days	6 months	Wrap well
Pie shells, unbaked	1 day	2 months	Freezer paper between,  place in freezer bags.

 

Fruit and berrries can be purchased in season and on sale and processed at home, or commercially processed in bags in the freezer section. If you have more than you can process in canning jars or dehydrate at one time, put it into your freezer and process later.

Fruit
Product	Refrigerator	Freezer	Recommended Packaging
Fresh Fruit
Commercially frozen		1 year	Original packaging.
Canned fruits, opened	2 - 3 days	1 - 2 months	Store in airtight container.
Dried Fruits  cooked  uncooked	3 - 5 days  6 months	4 - 6 months  12 months
Apples	3 - 5 months	6 months	Freeze in simple syrup.
Apricots	3 - 5 days	6 months	Freeze in simple syrup.
Avocados	5 - 10 days	Do not freeze
Bananas	Do not refrigerate	3 months	Store at room temperature  Freeze whole or mash to use  in banana bread, smoothies.
Berries, cherries	2 - 3 days	3 months	Freeze on cookie sheet,  store in plastic bag.
Cranberries	3 - 4 weeks	8 - 12 months
Grapefruit	2 weeks	4 - 6 months	Segment or wrap well.
Grapes	1 - 2 weeks	3 months	Freeze for wine or jam later.
Guavas	1 - 2 days		Freeze juice, not fruit
Kiwi	4 - 6 months		Kiwi will store if unripe.
Lemons	2 - 5 weeks	3 months	Freeze whole lemons or juice.
Limes	2 - 5 weeks	3 months	Freeze whole limes or juice
Melons	1 week	8 - 12 months	Wrap, or cubes in plasic bags.
Nectarines	3 - 5 days	6 months	Freeze in simple syrup.
Oranges	5 - 6 weeks	3 months	Freeze juice
Peaches	3 - 5 days	6 months	Freeze in simple syrup.
Pears			Freeze in simple syrup.
Pineapple	3 - 5 days
Plums			Freeze in simple syrup.
Tangerines	1 week		Freeze juice.
Watermelon	6 - 8 days		Uncut, store at room temp.
Fruit Juice
Juice, opened	7 - 10 days	8 - 12 months

 

Vegetables should also be purchased in season and processed at home. Remove all bands and loosen to let them breathe. Process as soon as you get home - wash, separate, and repackage according to the recommendations below.

Vegetables
Product	Refrigerator	Freezer	Recommended Packaging
Fresh Fruit
Commercially frozen		1 year	Original packaging.
Canned Vegetables	2 - 3 days	1 - 2 months	Store in airtight container.
Dried Vegetables  cooked  uncooked	3 - 5 days  6 months	4 - 6 months  12 months
Artichokes	2 - 3 days	8 -12 months	Store in airtight container,  with light moisture.  Freeze hearts or leftovers.
Asparagus	1 - 2 days		Do not wash,  store in plastic bag.
Beans, Dried	1 - 2 days	8-12 months	Store in plastic bag.
Beans, Green or Waxed	3 - 5 days	8-12 months	Store in plastic bag.
Beans, Lima	1 - 2 days	8-12 months	Store in plastic bag.
Beans, Snap	1 week	8-12 months	Store in plastic bag.
Beet Greens	3 - 5 days	8-12 months	Wash, drain, wrap in wet  towel, store in plastic bag.
Beets	3 - 4 days	8-12 months	Cut tops off 2" over crown,  freeze only cooked beets.
Broccoli	4 - 5 days	8-12 months	Blanch before freezing,  store in plastic bag.
Brussel Sprouts	3 - 4 days	8-12 months	Blanch before freezing,  store in plastic bag.
Cabbage	1 - 2 weeks	8-12 months	Blanch before freezing,  store in plastic bag.
Carrots	1 - 2 weeks	8-12 months	Cut tops off, wash,  store in plastic bag.
Cauliflower	2 days	8-12 months	Cut into florettes and  blanch before freezing,  store in plastic bag.
Celery	1 - 2 weeks	Do not freeze	Store in closed plastic bag.
Chard	3 - 5 days	8-12 months	Wash, drain, wrap in wet  towel, store in plastic bag.
Corn (refrigerate)	24 hours	---	Store in husks until use.
Corn (freeze)	---	8-12 months	Store on cob or as kernels,  store in plastic bag.
Eggplant	1 - 3 days	6-12 months	Never freeze whole.  Slice and blanch first,  store in plastic bag.
Kale	3 - 5 days	8-12 months	Wash, drain, wrap in wet  towel, store in plastic bag.
Lettuce, Head	3 - 5 days	Do not freeze	Wash, drain, wrap in wet  towel, store in plastic bag.
Lettuce, Bib	1 - 2 days	Do not freeze	Wash, drain, wrap in wet  towel, store in plastic bag.
Mushrooms (refrigerate)	2 - 3 days	---	Lay on plate and cover  with moist towel.
Mushrooms (freeze)	---	6 months	Wash, whole or sliced,  store in plastic bag.
Okra	3 - 5 days	6 months	Keep moist in refrigerator.  Blanch before freezing.  Store in plastic bag.
Onions	1 - 2 months	6 months	Keep dry in refrigerator.  Chop and freeze in bag.
Parsnip	1 - 2 weeks	8-12 months	Blanch before freezing.  Store in plastic bag.
Peas	1 - 2 days	8-12 months	Refrigerate unshelled.
Peppers	1 - 2 weeks	8-12 months	Store in plastic bag.
Potatoes, sweet	Do not refrigerate.	Do not freeze.	Highly perishable.  Use cold storage methods.
Potatoes, white	Do not refrigerate.	Do not freeze.	Highly perishable.  Use cold storage methods.
Radishes	1 - 2 weeks		Cut tops off, wash,  store in plastic bag.
Rhubarb	3 - 5 days	8-12 months	Slice, blanch, store in bags.
Spinach	1 - 2 days	8-12 months	Store in closed plastic bag.
Squash, summer	7 -8 days	8-12 months	Store in closed plastic bag.
Squash, winter	1 - 3 days	Do not freeze	Refrigerate if cut, otherwise  use cold storage methods.
Tomatoes	2 - 3 days	Do not freeze	Refrigerate when ripe.
Turnip Greens	3 - 5 days	8-12 months	Wash, drain, wrap in wet  towel, store in plastic bag.
Turnips	1 - 2 weeks	8-12 months	Cut tops off, wash,  Blanch before freezing.  Store in plastic bag.
Vegetable Juice
Juice, opened	7 - 10 days	8 - 12 months	Some juices may separate.

 

At the end of summer and throughout autumn, great deals can be found on a variety of meat and meat products. One of your best bargains can be buying meat by the half or quarter. Take advantage of sales and tock up for the rest of the year.

Meats
Product	Refrigerator	Freezer	Recommended Packaging
Hot dogs and Deli Meats
Hot dogs  unopened  opened	2 weeks  1 week	1 - 2 months	Freezing may change  texture and flavor.
Deli Meats  unopened  opened	3 - 5 days	Do not freeze	Many deli meats do not  freeze well.
Bacon and Sausage
Bacon and pancetta	7 days	1 month	Overwrap.
Sausage, fresh	1 - 2 days	1 - 2 months	Overwrap.
Smoked sausage links, patties	7 days	1 - 2 months	Overwrap.
Hard sausage, pepperoni, jerky	2 - 3 weeks	1 - 2 months	Store in original packaging.
Summer sausage  unopened  opened	3 months  3 weeks	1 - 2 months	Check label.  Some summer sausage  needs refrigeration, other  types do not.
Ham, Corned Beef
Corned beef in unopened pouch	5 - 7 days	1 month	Drain off liquid to freeze.
Ham, canned,  unopened  opened	6 - 9 months  3 - 5 days	1 - 2 months	Do not freeze in can.  Only freeze leftovers.
Ham, fully cooked  vacuum sealed, unopened	'best by' date	1 - 2 months
Ham, fully cooked, whole	7 days	1 - 2 months
Ham, fully cooked, half	3 - 5 days	1 - 2 months
Ham, fully cooked, slices	3 - 5 days	1 - 2 months
Ground Meat
Ground Beef	1 - 2 days	3 - 4 months	Rewrap in freezer paper  and overwrap with  aluminum foil.
Ground turkey, veal, pork, lamb  or mixtures	1 - 2 days	3 - 4 months	Rewrap in freezer paper  and overwrap with  aluminum foil.
Fresh Meat
Steaks	3 - 5 days	6 - 12 months	Wrap in freezer paper.
Chops	3 - 5 days	4 - 6 months	Wrap in freezer paper.
Roasts	3 - 5 days	4 - 6 months	Wrap in freezer paper.
Variety meats - tongue, liver	1 - 2 days	3 - 4 months	Wrap in freezer paper.
Prestuffed, uncooked	1 day	do not freeze
Fresh Poultry
Whole chicken, turkey, or duck	1 - 2 days	1 year	Store in original packaging
Pieces	1 - 2 days	9 months	Wrap well.
Giblets	1 - 2 days	3 - 4 months	Wrap well.
Cooked Poultry
Fried Chicken	3 - 4 days	4 months	Wrap well.
Chicken nuggets, patties	1 - 2 days	1 - 3 months	Wrap well.
Pieces, plain	3 - 4 days	4 months	Wrap well.
Pieces, in gravy	1 - 2 days	6 months	Wrap well.
Cooked pot pies, casseroles	3 - 4 days	4 - 6 months	Wrap well.
Soups and Stews
Soups, broth based	3 - 4 days	4 months	Use freezer containers.
Soups, cream based	2 days	Do not freeze.	Will separate.
Stews	3 - 4 days	4 - 6 months	Use freezer containers.
Stock	3 - 4 days	4 - 6 months	Use freezer containers.
Chili	3 - 4 days	4 - 6 months	Freeze without beans.
Meat Leftovers
Cooked meat, casseroles	3 - 4 days	2 - 3  months	Wrap well.
Broth and Gravy	1 - 2 days	2 - 3 months	Use freezer containers.

 

Have a fisherman in your family? Like to crab, or gather clams and mussels on the beach? Make sure you preserve the goodness by proper storage.

Seafood and Fish
Product	Refrigerator	Freezer	Recommended Packaging
Fish
Lean fish, cod, sole	1 - 2 days	6 months	Freeze in ice.
Fatty fish, salmon	1 - 2 days	2 - 3 months	Freeze in ice.
Cooked fish	3 - 4 days	4 - 6 months	Can turn mushy
Smoked fish	14 days or  'best by' date	2 months if  vacuum sealed.	Vacuum seal for  longest life.
Shellfish
Live clams, oysters, scallops	use immediately	7 - 10 days	Freeze in own liquid.
Cooked shellfish	3 - 4 days	3 months	Freeze in ice.
Cooked crab	1 - 2 days	2 months	Freeze in ice.
Lobster, raw	use immediately	3 months	Freeze in ice.
Shrimp, shellfish, raw	1 - 2 days	3 - 6  months	Freeze in ice.
Shrimp, cooked	use immediately	Do not freeze	Will get mushy
Shrimp, breaded, commercial		1 year

 

Cold and Dry Storage

The first form of food preservation remains the easiest, and cheapest. Keeping fruit and vegetables in a root cellar differs from refrigeration only in humidity. The air in a refrigerator is very dry, while most produce will last longer and stay fresher in a moist, to medium moist environment. As with any form of preserving you'll want to start with firm, but ripe, unblemished produce.

Store the items listed below just above freezing, in a medium moist to moist environment. They do not need processing. Do not wash.

Cold Storage of Produce
Produce	Air Circulation	Shelf life
Apples	medium	4 -6 months
Beets	low	3 - 5 months
Cabbage	low	2 - 4 months
Carrots	low	6 months
Cauliflower	low	1 1/2 - 2 months
Celery	medium	1 1/2 - 4 months
Endive	low	2 - 3 months
Grapefruit	low	1 - 1 1/2 months
Grapes	low	1 - 2 months
Horseradish	low	4 - 6 months
Kohlrabi	low	2 - 3 months
Leeks	medium	1 - 3 months
Parsnips	low	4 - 6 months
Pears	low	2 - 6 months
Radishes	low	2 - 4  months
Rutabagas	low	3 - 4 months
Turnips	low	2 - 4 months

 

Potatoes should be stored at a slightly higher temperature, 35F - 40F. Beets, Carrots, and Kohlrabi do well when stored just above freezing, but can also tolerate slightly higher temperatures, so you can store all items with Potatoes.

Potatoes

medium

4 - 6 months

 

Onions and garlic like cooler temperatures, 50F-55F, but do not like moisture. They are ideal for storing in colder areas of your home, such as the higher parts of your cellar or your attic. Do not store near potatoes as they give off a gas that will cause potatoes to rot.

Onions	dry	4 - 6 months
Garlic	dry	4 - 6 months
Pumpkins	medium dry to dry	4 - 6 months
Squash, winter	dry	4 - 6 months

 

Tomatoes can last several months if wrapped individually in newspaper and stored in complete darkness, at 55F-70F degrees. Green tomatoes will slowly ripen so check progress every few days.

Tomatoes, unripe

medium moist

1 - 5 months