FOOD STORAGE TIPS
Food Storage Chart
Storage times are approximate and may vary depending on type of packaging, storage temperature, and the quality of the food when purchased.
FOODS | REFRIGERATOR | FREEZER | STORAGE TIPS |
DAIRY PRODUCTS |
|
|
|
Butter | 1 month | 6 to 9 months | Wrap tightly or cover. |
Milk and cream | 1 week | Not | Check carton date. Close tightly. Don’t return unused |
|
| recommended | portions to original container. Don’t freeze cream |
|
|
| unless whipped. |
|
|
|
|
Cream cheese, cheese spread | 1 to 2 weeks | Not | Wrap tightly. |
and cheese food |
| recommended |
|
Cottage cheese | 3 to 5 days | Not | Store in original carton. Check carton date. |
|
| recommended |
|
Sour cream | 10 days | Not | Store in original carton. Check carton date. |
|
| recommended |
|
Hard cheese | 1 to 2 months | 4 to 6 months | Wrap tightly. Cut off any mold. |
(Swiss, Cheddar and Parmesan) |
| May become |
|
|
| crumbly |
|
EGGS |
|
|
|
Eggs in the shell | 3 weeks | Not | Refrigerate small ends down. |
|
| recommended |
|
Leftover yolks or whites | 2 to 4 days | 9 to 12 months | For each cup of yolks to be frozen, add 1 tsp. sugar for |
|
|
| use in sweet, or 1 tsp. salt for |
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|
|
|
FRUITS |
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|
|
Apples | 1 month | 8 months | May also store unripe or hard apples at 60° to 70° F |
|
| (cooked) | (16° to 21° C). |
Bananas | 2 to 4 days | 6 months (whole/ | Ripen at room temperature before refrigerating. Note: |
|
| peeled) | Bananas will darken when refrigerated. |
Pears, plums, avocados | 3 to 4 days | Not | Ripen at room temperature before refrigerating. Note: |
|
| recommended | Avocados will darken when refrigerated. |
Berries, cherries, apricots | 2 to 3 days | 6 months | Ripen at room temperature before refrigerating. |
Grapes | 3 to 5 days | 1 month (whole) | Ripen at room temperature before refrigerating. |
Citrus fruits | 1 to 2 weeks | Not | May also store at 60° to 70° F (16° to 21° C). If |
|
| recommended | refrigerated, store uncovered. |
Pineapples, cut | 2 to 3 days | 6 to 12 months | Will not ripen after purchase. Use quickly. |
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|
|
VEGETABLES |
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|
|
Asparagus | 1 to 2 days | 8 to 10 months | Do not wash before refrigerating. Store in crisper. |
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|
|
|
Brussels sprouts, broccoli, | 3 to 5 days | 8 to 10 months | Wrap odorous foods. Leave peas in pods. |
cauliflower, green peas, |
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|
|
lima beans, onions, peppers |
|
|
|
Cabbage, celery | 1 to 2 weeks | Not | Wrap odorous foods and refrigerate in crisper. |
|
| recommended |
|
Carrots, parsnips, beets and | 7 to 10 days | 8 to 10 months | Remove tops. Wrap odorous foods and refrigerate in |
turnips |
|
| crisper. |
Lettuce | 7 to 10 days | Not |
|
|
| recommended |
|
POULTRY and FISH |
|
|
|
Chicken and Turkey, whole | 1 to 2 days | 12 months |
|
|
|
Chicken and Turkey, pieces | 1 to 2 days | 9 months |
|
|
|
Fish | 1 to 2 days | 2 to 6 months |
|
|
|
Keep in original packaging for refrigeration. Place in the Deli Drawer on coldest setting. When freezing longer than two weeks, overwrap with freezer wrap.
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