I have been looking in my freezer and cupboards today. I came across some things that had been here for awhile, so I decide to find out the shelf life of some of this stuff. I came across this list I think its worth printing out. I hope it will be useful to all of you.
Food Storage Guidelines
September 6, 2006
Compiled by Maxine Glass
Top of Form 1
. Recipe4Living
Nine comprehensive charts help you decide how long is too long when it comes to food in your cabinets, refrigerator and freezer.
You don't have to be modest, you can admit it. You have a fabulously fully-stocked kitchen. Anything and everything that anyone could ever want rests quietly in the cupboard shelves, kitchen cabinets and refrigerator bins. But how long have some of those foods been on those shelves? And how long is too long?We have put together some handy charts to help you distinguish "still good" from "time to toss." So, keep lining those shelves with cans and boxes and don't stop piling in the fruits and veggies, just make sure you know when to replace them.
Baking Powder
18 months or expiration date
Baking Soda
24 months
Bisquick
Expiration date
Bouillon
24 months
Bread Crumbs, dried
6 months
Bread - Rolls
3 days
Bulgar
6-12 months
Cereals - Unopened
6-12 months
Cereals - Opened
2-3 months
Cereal - Hot, dry
6 months
Chocolate - Pre-melted
12 months
Chocolate - Semi-sweet
18 months
Chocolate - Unsweetened
18 months
Chocolate Syrup - Unopened
24 months
Chocolate Syrup - Opened
6 months
Cocoa
Indefinite
Cocoa Mixes
8 months
Coffee
24 months
Coffee Lighteners (dry)
9 months
Cornmeal
12 months
Cornstarch
18 months
Drink Mix - Country Time Lemonade
24 months
Drink Mix - Crystal Light
24 months
Drink Mix - Kool Aid
18-24 months
Flour - White
6-8 months
Flour - Whole Wheat
6-8 months
Gelatin, all types
18 months
Grits
12 months
Honey
12-24 months
Jellies, Jams
12 months
Molasses
12+ months
Marshmallow Cream
3-4 months
Marshmallows
2-3 months
Mayonnaise
2-3 months
Milk - Condensed, unopened
12 months
Milk - Evaporated, unopened
12 months
Milke - Nonfat, dry, unopened
6 months
Pasta
24 months
Pectin - liquid or dry, unopened
12 months or expiration date
Rice - White
24+ months
Rice- Brown, Wild
6-12 months
Rice - Flavored or Herb
6 months
Rice - Minute
18 months
Salad Dressings - Bottled, unopened
10-12 months
Salad Oils
6 months
Oil - Crisco or Puritan
24 months
Oil - Corn
18 months
Oil - Vegetable
6 months
Shortening, solid
8 months
Vinegar (in container with plastic lid)
Indefinitely
Salt
Indefinitely
Sugar - Brown
18 months
Sugar - Confectioners'
24+
Sugar - Granulated
Indefinitely
Sugar - Artificial Sweeteners
24 months
Syrup - Corn
36 months
Syrup - Pancake
3-4 months
Tea - Bags
18 months
Tea - Instant
36 months
Teat - Loose
24 months
Vinegar - Unopened
24 months
Vinegar - Opened
12 months
Bread, Pastries and Cakes
Food Product
Storage Life:Refrigerator
Storage Life:Freezer
Unbaked Rolls and Breads
2-3 weeks
1 month
Partially-Baked Cinnamon Rolls
2 months
Baked Quick Breads
2 months
Baked Muffins
6-12 months
Baked Breads with no preservatives
2-3 weeks
2-3 months
Unfrosted Doughnuts
2-4 months
Waffles
1 month
Unbaked Fruit Pies
1-2 days
2-4 months
Baked Fruit Pies
2-3 days
6-8 months
Pumpkin or Chiffon Pies
2-3 days
1-2 months
Baked Cookies
6-12 months
Freezer Pie Shells
12 months
Cookie Dough
3 months
Unbaked Cake Batter
1 month
Frosted Baked Cakes
1 month
Unfrosted Baked Cakes
2-4 months
Angel Cakes
6-12 months
Fruit Cakes
6-12 months
Refrigerated biscuits, rolls, pastries, cookie dough
Expiration date
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Dairy Prodcuts - Real and Substitutes
Food Product
Storage Life:Refrigerator
Storage Life:Freezer
Butter
1-2 weeks
Buttermilk
1-2 weeks
Cheese - Cottage, Ricotta
1-2 weeks
4 weeks
Cheese - Cream, Neufchatel
2 weeks
Cheese - Hard, Wax-Coated
1-2 months
6-8 months
Cheese - Sliced
2 weeks
Cheese - Cream Cheese, soft
5-6 days
Cheese - Parmesan Romano, grated
2 months
Cheese - Processed
3-4 months
6-8 months
Dips - Commercial
2 weeks
Dips - Homemade
2 days
Eggs - In Shell
3 weeks
Eggs - Whites or Yolks
2-4 days
1 year
Eggs - Hard Cooked
1 week
Egg Custards, Fillings, Pastries or Cream Pies
1-2 days
Egg Substitutes - Opened
3 days
Egg Substitutes - Unopened
10 days
1 year
Margarine
4-6 months
12 months
Milk - Evaporated, opened
4-5 days
Milk - Homogenized, dry nonfat
5 days
Milk - Sweetened, condensed, opened
4-5 days
Sour Cream
2 weeks
Whipped Topping - Can
3 months
Whipped Topping - From Mix
3 days
Whipped Topping - Cool Whip (eg.)
2-3 weeks
14 months
Yogurt
7-10 days
Fruits, Vegetables and Juices
Food Product
Storage Life:Refrigerator
Storage Life:Freezer
Apples
1 month
8-12 months
Apricots, Grapes, Nectartines, Peaches, Pears, Plums
3-5 days
8-12 months
Artichokes
1 week
Asparagus
2-3 days
8-12 months
Avocados
3-5 days
8-12 months
Bananas, Plantains
8-12 months
Beets, Carrots
2 weeks
8-12 months
Beans, Broccoli, Lima Beans, Peas, Summer Squash
3-5 days
8-12 months
Berries, Cherries
2-3 days
8-12 months
Cauliflower
1 week
8-12 months
Celery, Cabbage, Chilies, Green Beans, Peppers, Tomatoes
1 week
8-12 months
Cilantro, Parsley
1 week
8-12 months
Citrus Fruit
3 weeks
4-6 months
Corn
Day purchased
8-12 months
Cranberry Cocktail, canned
5-6 days
3-6 months
Greens - Colards, Kale, Mustard, Spinach, Swiss Chard
3-5 days
8-12 months
Greens - Lettuce and Salad
1 week
Green Onions
3-5 days
Guavas, Papayas
1-2 days
8-12 months
Kiwis
3-5 days
4-6 months
Mangoes
8-12 months
Melons
1 week
8-12 months
Mushrooms, Okra
1-2 days
8-12 months
Pineapple
2-3 days
4-6 months
Juices - canned, bottled or reconstituted
6 days
8 months
Pre-mixed, full strength Fruit Juice
Expiration date
Radishes
2 weeks
Real Lemon
12 months
Squash, hard
8-12 months
Meats, Poutry and Seafood
Food Product
Storage Life:Refrigerator
Storage Life:Freezer
FRESH MEAT
Beef Roasts, Steaks
3-5 days
6-12 months
Chicken or Turkey, pieces
1-2 days
9-12 months
Chicken or Turkey, whole
1-2 days
1 year
Duck, Goose
1-2 days
6 months
Game Birds
1-2 days
6 months
Giblets
1-2 days
3-4 months
Ground Meat, Stew
1-2 days
3-4 months
Lamb, roasts or chops
3-5 days
6-9 months
Pork, roasts or chops
3-5 days
4-6 months
Pre-stuffed Pork, Lamb Chops and Chicken Breasts
1 day
4-6 months
Sausage
1-2 days
1-2 months
Variety Meats: Heart, liver, tongue, etc.
1-2 days
1-2 months
Venison, roasts, steaks, chops
3-5 days
6-12 months
COOKED MEATS
Breakfast Sausage, smoked
7 days
1-2 months
Ham - Whole
7 days
1-2 months
Ham - Half
3-5 days
1-2 months
Ham - Slices
3-4 days
1-2 months
Ham - Canned
6-9 months
Hot Dogs, Luncheon Meats - Unopened
2 weeks
1-2 months
Hot Dogs, Luncheon Meats - Opened
3-7 days
1-2 months
Cooked, leftover meat
3-4 days
2-3 months
Leftover Gravy and Meat Broth
1-2 days
2-3 months
Cooked, leftover poultry
3-4 days
4-6 months
Cooked, leftover chicken nuggets or patties
1-2 days
1-3 months
FRESH SEAFOOD
Lean Fish - Cod, Flounder, Trout, Haddock, Halibut, Pollack, Perch
1-2 days
4-6 months
Fatty Fish - Mullet, Smelt, Salmon, Mackerel, Bluefish, Tuna, Swordfish
1-2 days
2-3 months
Live Crabs and Lobsters
Day purchased
Live Mussels and Clams
2-3 days
Live Oysters
7-10 days
Shucked Mussels and Clams
1-2 days
3-4 months
Shucked Oysters
5-7 days
3-4 months
Shrimp, Crabmeat
2-3 days
4 months
Scallops
2-3 days
3 months
COOKED FISH
Fish Sticks
18 months
Breaded Shrimp, commercial
1 year
Cooked pieces
3-4 days
3 months
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Mixes and Packaged Foods
Food Product
Storage Life
Biscuit, Brownie, Muffin Mixes
9 months
Cake Mixes
9 months
Casseroles (complete or add own meat)
9-12 months
Cookies
2-3 weeks
Krusteaz Mixes
24 months
Pillsbury Mixes
18 months
Betty Crocker Mixes
8-12+ months
Jiffy Mixes
24 months
Crackers
3 months
Stove Top Dressing Mix
Expiration Date
Frosting
3 months
Hot-Roll Mixes
18 months
Pancake Mixes
6-9 months
Pie Crust Mixes
8 months
Pies and Pastries
2-3 days
Potatoes - Instant
6-12 months
Pudding Mixes
12 months
Rice Mixes
6 months
Rice-a-Roni
Expiration Date
Pasta-Roni
Expiration Date
Rice and Sauce
9-12 months
Sauce/Gravy Mix
6-12 months
Soup Mix
12 months
Soup Base
12 months
Country Kitchen Soup
36 months
Toaster Pastries
2-3 months
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Canned and Dried Foods
Food Product
Storage Life
Canned Baby
12 months
Canned Tomato Sauce
12 months
Canned Cheese Sauce
24-36 months
Canned Tuna, Fish and Seafood
5 years
Canned Cranberry Sauce
Expiration date
Canned Fruits
36+ months
Canned Fruit Pie Fillings
24-36 months
Black Label Ham
Expiration date
Canned Meat
36 months
Canned Chicken
36 months
Canned Soup
Expiration date
Canned Tomatoes
36+ months
Canned Vegetables
24-48 months
Canned Baked Beans
24 months
Canned French Fried Onions
24 months
Canned Ragu Spaghetti Sauce
Expiration date
Canned Five Brothers Pasta Sauce
24 months
Canned Fruit Juices
6 months
Juices
12-24 months
Dried Fruits
6 months
Dried Vegetables
12 months
Dried Peas and Beans
12 months
Spices, Herbs and Condiments
Food Product
Storage Life
Catsup
18-24 months
Chili Sauce
24 months
Mustard - Yellow, Prepared
24 months
Jar Pickles
12-24 months
Spices
12-24 months
Steak Sauce
24 months
Tabasco Sauce
60 months
Extracts
24 months
Vanilla
12 months
Vegetables - Dehydrated, flaked
6 months
Others
Food Product
Strorage Life
Cheese - Parmesan, grated
10 months
Coconut, shredded, canned or packaged
12 months
Imitation Bacon Bits
12 months
Instant Breakfast
6 months
Nuts
4 months
Nuts - In Shell
24 months
Nut Meats Package
3 months
Peanut Butter
6-9 months
Jif Peanut Butter
24 months
Popcorn
24 months
Freeze-Dried Mushrooms
24 months
Whipped Topping (dry)
12 months
Yeast (dry)
Expiration date
Just a little tip: I buy alot of things when they are on sale and I have coupons. So from now on when I bring them in the door I will take my sharpie and jot the date on the outside of the
package before I put them away.
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