Storing meats can be a tricky business. If not done correctly, it’s at risk of spoiling quickly and becoming a health hazard. And on top of that, for all the different kinds of meat, poultry, and fish out there, nearly all of them have different storage requirements.
That’s why we’re breaking it down into a handy list, detailing the optimal length of time to store different meats in the fridge and freezer.
Food Safety Australia’s temperature guidelines state that food should be kept frozen at -18 degrees Celsius and when thawing, it should be stored in a refrigerator that reaches no more than 5 degrees Celsius until it is ready to be prepared.
The length of times recommended below are reasonably conservative, so as to ensure optimal freshness and the best taste.
Beef and Lamb
Chops
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Minced meat and pre-made patties
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 4 months
Roasts and loins
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Sausage, uncooked
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 2 months
Steaks
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Deli and Processed Meats
Cold cuts, deli-sliced
Refrigerator: 5 days
Freezer: 2 months
Cold cuts, packaged
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (unopened); 5 days (open)
Freezer: 2 months
Hot dogs
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (unopened); 1 week (open)
Freezer: 2 months
Sausage, cooked
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (unopened); 1 week (open)
Freezer: 2 months
Sausage, cured
Refrigerator: 3 months (unopened); 6 weeks (open)
Freezer: Do not freeze.
Pork
Bacon
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (unopened); 1 week (open)
Freezer: 1 month
Chops
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Minced meat and pre-made patties
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 4 months
Ham, cooked
Refrigerator: 1 week (whole); 4 days (half); 4 days (steaks)
Freezer: 2 months
Roasts and loins
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Sausage, uncooked
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 2 months
Poultry (Chicken and Turkey)
Minced meat and pre-made patties
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 4 months
Pieces
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 6 months
Sausage, uncooked
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 2 months
Whole
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 6 months
Seafood
Crabmeat, packaged
Refrigerator: 1 month (unopened); 5 days (open)
Freezer: 3 months
Crabs, live whole
Refrigerator: 1 day
Freezer: Do not freeze.
Fish (fatty), fresh
Such as salmon and mackerel
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: Do not freeze. Fatty fish may become mushy when frozen at home and thawed.
Fish (lean), fresh
Such as flounder and cod
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 6 months
Fish, frozen
Refrigerator: 2 days (thawed)
Freezer: 6 months
Lobsters, live whole
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: Do not freeze.
Lobster tails, frozen
Refrigerator: 2 days (thawed)
Freezer: 6 months
Mussels
Refrigerator: 2 days (live in shell); 1 day (shucked)
Freezer: 4 months (shucked); cook after thawing.
Oysters
Refrigerator: 2 days (live in shell); 1 day (shucked)
Freezer: 4 months (shucked); cook after thawing.
Scallops
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 3 months; cook after thawing.
Prawns, cooked
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 3 months
Prawns, fresh or thawed
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 6 months
Prawns, frozen
Refrigerator: 2 days (thawed)
Freezer: 6 months
Full guide via. Real Simple
