Table of Contents
Schedule refrigerator maintenance now!
Food Storage Guidelines: How Long Can You Keep Food in the Fridge?
Stay informed about food safety with our comprehensive food storage guidelines, covering everything from dairy to meat to vegetables. Learn how long you can keep common refrigerated items fresh and get tips on maximizing the shelf life of your groceries. Plus, discover expert advice on organizing your fridge effectively to prevent food loss and ensure optimal freshness throughout the week.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Knowing the refrigerator storage times for various food items helps you determine when it’s time to consume or discard them.
- Maintaining proper fridge and freezer temperatures, storing foods in appropriate compartments, using airtight containers for leftovers, and avoiding overcrowding ensures optimal air circulation all help keep food fresh longer.
- By planning ahead for the week and organizing the fridge effectively, individuals can prevent food loss and ensure they consume items before they spoil, reducing waste and saving money.
Wondering if those leftovers are still good? What about that meat? Or milk? Our infographic breaks down the shelf life of common refrigerated items and offers up tips for keeping food fresh.
Because sell-by dates often aren't reliable indicators of when something has gone bad, it can be difficult to know how long is too long when it comes to an item’s shelf life. These need-to-know food storage guidelines will help keep you healthy and your fridge fresh.
Tips to keep food fresh longer
Follow this expert advice to help keep food fresh for longer in your fridge:
- Keep your fridge temp at or below 40°F, and set your freezer to 0ºF.
- Don’t slice foods until you’re ready to eat them.
- Store leafy vegetables with humidity control set on high.
- Store fruits with humidity controls set on low.
- Don’t store meats, dairy, fruits and vegetables in the same crisper.
- Don’t put easily perishable items in the fridge door, where the temp is warmer.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers.
- Avoid overcrowding, as this can block cold air circulation and cause warm spots.
Be sure to plan ahead for the week to prevent food loss, and don’t forget to organize your fridge in the most effective way.
Refrigerator Storage Times
How long do those eggs last? Should you toss that hamburger meat? Our fridge storage timeline has the answers.
Dairy
Opened Milk: 3-5 days
Opened Cheese: 2-3 weeks
Eggs
Fresh: 2-5 weeks
Products with eggs: 1-2 days
Deli Meat
Unopened: 2 weeks
Opened: 3-5 days
Meat
Steaks, chops, roasts: 3-5 days
Ground meat: 1-2 days
Poultry
Whole or parts: 1-2 days
Leftover cooked meat and poultry: 3-4 days
Fish
Raw fish and shellfish: 1-2 days
Leftover cooked seafood: 3-4 days
Vegetables
Beans, cucumbers, broccoli, lettuce, peppers: 1 week
Beets, celery, corn on the cob, carrots: 2 weeks
Fruit
Berries: 2-3 days
Avocados: 7-10 days
Citrus: 3 weeks
Always stay safe when handling food. When in doubt, throw it out.
Schedule refrigerator maintenance now!
Extend the lifespan of your refrigerator and prevent unexpected and costly breakdowns with our routine maintenance service.
Was this content helpful?
Maintain Refrigerator Resources
Refresh your routine with water dispenser and ice maker maintenance for a healthier home. Learn the benefits of regular maintenance on searshomeservices.com.
Get ready for fresh spring produce in 2024 with these 6 tips to prep your fridge.
Regular maintenance keeps your refrigerator working when you need it. Book a service appointment with Sears Home Services today!
Discover the best practices for cleaning and prepping your fridge for the holidays in 2024.