How Long Does Food Last In The Freezer? Freezer Guide

Freezer Guide – How Long Does Food Last In The Freezer?

How long will groceries stay good in the freezer? Here is a brief freezer guide to help you know how long food lasts in the freezer. This is a guide to how long foods can reasonably be stored in the freezer under normal circumstances when packaged properly.

To ensure that your food lasts as long as possible in the freezer, make sure that it is sealed in airtight packaging and that you keep the freezer door closed as much as possible so the freezer temperature stays constant.

How Long Does Meat Last In The Freezer?

I generally freeze meat in the freezer in the original store packages because that is the easiest way to do it. Then, when I know I will need it, I defrost it on a plate with a couple of paper towels in the refrigerator. If you happen to buy a bulk package of meat for only one or two people you might want to repackage the meat in smaller portions so you only have to grab the amount you need to use.

If you have cooked meats, you can freeze them in portion sizes you expect to feed your family so you can easily grab them and warm them up. Here’s how long meat lasts in the freezer:

• Beef – 12 months
• Cooked Meats – 3 months
• Ground Meats – 3 months
• Lamb – 9 months
• Liver – 2 months
• Pork – 6 months
• Chicken and other poultry, raw – 6 months

How Long Do Dairy Products Last In The Freezer?

Generally, I put these items in the freezer in their sealed store packaging.

• Butter, pasteurized – 6 months
• Cheese – 6 months
• Cream Cheese – 4 months
• Ice Cream – 4 months
• Whipping Cream – 3 months

How Long Do Miscellaneous Food Items Last In The Freezer?

I usually throw bread in the freezer in the sealed store packaging. If you do, make sure there are no holes in the bread bags and they should be fine.

• Cakes, Cookies and Breads – 3 to 4 months
• Coconut – 12 months
• Egg Whites, out of shell -12 months
• Egg Yolks, out of shell – 3 months (Add 1/8 tsp. salt or 1/2 tsp. sugar for every 4 egg yolks)
• Fruits and Juices – 12 months
• Nuts – 12 months
• Vegetables – 12 months

Foods That Don’t Freeze Well

• Cooked egg whites
• Mayonnaise Salad Dressings
• Canned refrigerator biscuits, Danish rolls, cinnamon rolls, croissant dough (You can bake these and then freeze.)
• Salad greens
• Raw tomatoes (You can freeze raw tomatoes but they should only be used for cooking.)
• Custards
• Cream pies with meringue
• Grapes (unless eating frozen)

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