Food storage guide
Leafy vegetables (lettuce, celery and parsley) Before storrng, remove the store wrap and trim off brutsed areas Wash in cool water and drain slrghtly Water should be clrngrng to the greens as they go into the crisper This water provides the atmosphere of high humtdrty necessary for keeprng the leafy vegetables fresh and crisp durtng storage
Vegetables with skins (tomatoes and peppers] Wash, dry and store in a crisper
Fruits Wash, dry and store In a crisper with vege- tables such as tomatoes Berries keep better of not washed or hulled until ready to use Sort, then state berries In a loosely closed paper bag and store on refrigerator shelf
Meat* Meat ISperishable and proper care IS essen- tial to maintaining Its keeping qualrttes. Store fresh meat on the Interior refrigerator shelves Refer to the
chart on this page for recommended refrigerator food storage trmes
Fresh meat, prepackaged by the meat retailer
the chart, following, for recommended refrigerator storage times.
Fresh meat, not prepackaged.. Remove from the market wrapping paper, wrap in aluminum foil. Refer
to chart on this page for recommended storage times.
Prepackaged frozen meat Place In the freezer compartment or freezer tray immediately after pur- chase unless it is to be defrosted for cookrng.
Cooked meats (leftovers) Cool within one to two hours after cooklng, then cover or wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying, and store in the refrigerator Bones may be removed to conserve storage space, but meat should be left in as large a piece as possible
Meats cooked in lrquid for future serving should be cooled uncovered. within one to two hours, then cov- ered and stored In the refrigerator To speed coolrng, when meat is cooled in liquid, the pan containing the cooked meat may be set where there is good circula- tion of cool air, or it may be cooled by setting the pan In cold or running water
Cured and smoked meats Keep best In orrginal wrapping After opening, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil
Cooked meat. .Wrap or cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil
*Courtesy of Not’1 Live Stock ond Meat Board
Cold cuts .Store them in their original wrapping until you are ready to use. Once the package is opened. tightly rewrap unused cold cuts in plastic wrap or olu- minum foil.
STORAGECHARTFORFRESHANDCUREDMEAT’
nwe | Approximate Time |
Vwsl
Variety Meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 1 to 2 Chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2 Ground Beef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 to 2 Steaks and Roasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 to 5 Cured Meats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 to 10 Bacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5to7 ColdCuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3to5
‘If meat is stored a day or two longer than the above recommended time, wrap in air tight packaging and store in freezer compartment.
NOTE: Fresh fish and shellfish should be used the same day purchased
Eggs Store wlthout washrng in the orIgInal carton or use the egg nest In the door
Milk Wipe milk cartons For best storage. place milk on top interior shelf.
Beverages Wipe bottles and cans Store on lower door shelves beneath the egg nest or interior shelves
Butter. Store dally needs on serving dish in butter compartment. When storing an extra supply. wrap in
arrrtight packaging and store In freezer compan- mentor on top door shelves.
Cheese Store In original wrapping until you ore ready to use Once the package is opened. rewrap tightly In plastic wrap or alumtnum foil Store on interior refrigerator shelves.
Condiments .Store catsup, mustard. telly. oltves. pickles, etc on door shelves NOTE: Store bottled and canned items on door shelves beneath the egg nest.
Leftovers...Always cover the container with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep food from drying. Store on refrigerator shelves.
ice cream., .Store on the bottom of the freezer com- partment. Once package is opened, place a piece of aluminum foil snugly against the surface of the ice cream. This will prevent ice crystals from forming.
Frozen soups, juices.. .Store in freezer compartment.
Packaged frozen food. .Store in freezer compart- ment or in the
Frozen meats .Wrap In freezer packaging material and store in freezer compartment or freezer tray,
ice trays .Place on the bottom of the freezer compartment
