These days have become incredibly different for most of us. Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we can say that our lifestyle has drastically changed. From the world-wide’s overall system down to our very own way of life at home, we all experience the struggle to cope up and survive in this sudden change. And speaking of survival, one of the most important things to consider is to learn how to store foods properly for ourselves and for the whole family since it’s always a good idea to have home-cooked meals nowadays. For those who are used to having fancy dinners at their favourite restaurants, or grabbing their breakfast at the nearby cafè, we can safely say that this particular change can actually be as convenient and most of all more economical. Below is the ultimate guide on how long we can store meats in the fridge to make sure that we don’t compromise the quality of foods our family consumes, Unless you prefer ready-made meals with the use by clearly printed on the packet, please see below.
Please note that we refer to the standard temperature of 4°C and below for the fridge and -17°C and below for the freezer.
How long does bacon last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (raw, unopened); 1 week (raw, opened); 4 to 5 days (cooked)
Freezer: 8 months (raw, unopened); 6 months (raw, opened); 1 month (cooked)
Being a breakfast favourite, bacon is no doubt one of the most commonly stored meat. Once opened, it is better to be consumed the soonest possible time. It is also a common knowledge that bacon is preservative-packed meat so don’t be deceived by its “just fine” odour, instead watch out for appearances of tiny greenish to greyish dots as it’s a clear sign of growing moulds. If that happens, dispose of immediately.
How long do hot dogs last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (raw, unopened); 1 week (raw, opened); 1 week (cooked)
Freezer: 3 to 4 months (raw); 1 to 2 months (cooked)
Whether with just mayo or mustard, or both, hotdogs never get left behind when it comes to the crowd’s favourites especially for kids. However, if you happen to buy and stock too much, make sure to comply with the “use by” instruction on the packaging.
How long does ham last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 weeks (unopened); 7 to 10 days (opened/cooked)
Freezer: 6 to 8 months (raw); 1 to 2 months (cooked)
Method of preparation is very important in making ham and storing it properly is as important. So before you make that ham sandwich for your breakfast, lunch or dinner, proper hand hygiene must be observed to avoid foodborne illnesses.
How long is hamburger meat good in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 days (raw); 3 to 4 days (cooked)
Freezer: 3 to 4 months (raw): 2 to 3 months (cooked)
Hamburger is one of the most popular comfort foods and easiest to grab in our everyday grind. But before you make it your go-to snack every day, see to it that you always have fresh stocks every time.
How long does salami last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (unopened); 5 to 7 days (opened)
Freezer: up to 6 months (unopened); 1 to 2 months (opened)
Once you store an opened package of salami in the fridge, make sure to use airtight containers. Also, it’s better to store unsliced ones because bacteria can easily reach them during the cutting process. Unopened, dry salami can last up to 6 months unrefrigerated.
How long does cooked sausage last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (unopened); 1 week (opened)
Freezer: up to 6 months (unopened); 1 to 2months (opened)
Cooked sausage must be stored properly in the fridge. When you notice that it turns greyish, or becomes foul-smelling, it is a clear sign not to consume it anymore.
How long does deli meat last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (unopened); 3 to 5 days (opened/sliced)
Freezer: 1 to 2 months (unopened); 2 to 3 weeks (opened)
Yes, it’s very convenient to just buy deli meat in the grocery and reheat for later use. However, you should be keen enough to notice when moisture starts to build up or the container becomes slimy wet. It’s never advised to taste food to test if they are still good so make sure to inspect thoroughly for visual signs of rot.
How long does raw chicken meat last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 days
Freezer: up to 9 months
Regardless of which part of the chicken you store in the fridge, still, it should not stay too long or else you can feel the texture becomes slimy, which denotes incoming spoilage. To avoid this, don’t buy in bulk if you’re planning to cook them in batches, or just like with other meats, you may opt to freeze it.
How long does rotisserie chicken last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
Freezer: up to 4 months
Turning your leftover rotisserie chicken into chicken soup or maybe salad the next day can be an amazing idea. It’s not just convenient, but it will cost you less prep time as well.
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
Freezer: 2 to 6 months
A simple reminder: Before putting the cooked chicken in the fridge, cool it first at room temperature for about two hours. The same applies to other cooked meats. This is practised to slow down bacterial growth on foods.
How long does turkey meat last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 days (raw); 3 to 4 days (cooked)
Freezer: up to 9 months (raw); 2 to 3 months (cooked)
Like chicken meat, turkeys must be properly stored and consumed accordingly. Since it’s a must-have during special occasions for most of us, cooking it the same day or two after purchasing it is always a better idea to not miss its freshness.
How long does duck meat last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 days (raw); 2 to 3 days (cooked)
Freezer: 6 to 9 months (raw); up to 6 months (cooked)
You may notice that raw duck meat is actually more reddish than chicken, making it a little bit harder to determine if it’s well-cooked or not. Another important reminder when storing it in the fridge is to ensure that the duck juices don’t come in contact with other food items to avoid cross-contamination of bacteria.
How long does sushi last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 24 hours
Freezer: 2 to 3 days
Because typically sushi is made of fish, it is advised to consume them immediately. Storing them for too long can actually affect the taste, especially the leftover ones.
How long is tuna good for in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 days (raw); 5 days (cooked)
Freezer: up to 9 months (raw); 2 to 3 months (cooked)
When purchasing tuna, always opt for the freshest looking ones – bright eyes, metallic skin, intact scales, bouncy meat. Canned tuna on the other hand, always have a “sell by” date. Unopened canned tuna need not be stored in the fridge.
How long does cooked salmon last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 2 to 3 days
Freezer: 4 to 6 months
Salmon is a popular choice for meal preps because of its health benefits. Always use airtight containers and since fish has a shorter shelf life than any other meats, it’s still better to consume it immediately. One technique that also helps is to label the container/s with a “use by” date.
How long is cooked fish good in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
Freezer: 1 month
Opting for a healthier option like eating fish is always a good idea. But if you want to have less cooking time and decide to cook them in bulk to extend for tomorrow’s meals is definitely not a bad idea either.
How long does cooked prawns/shrimp last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: up to 3days
Freezer: 2 to 3 months
When storing cooked prawns in the fridge, you can simply put it in a ziplock or aluminium foil and you’re good to go. Freezing them is good however the taste will no longer be as delectable compared to when it is served newly cooked.
How long are pork chops good in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 3 to 5 days (raw); up to 4 days (cooked)
Freezer: 4 to 12 months (raw); 2 to 3 months (cooked)
Family dinners are always fun and if you don’t want to stress yourself too much on preparation, pork chops can always do the trick because it’s very easy to cook and yet can give you a number of choices on what particular flavour you want to incorporate.
How long does cooked pork last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
Freezer: 2 to 6 months
Cooked pork can really last as long as it is handled and stored properly. When freezing cooked pork, it is better to remove the meat from the bones and put in an air vacuumed container or tight cling wrap.
How long does ground or minced beef last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 days (raw); 3 to 4 days (cooked)
Freezer: 3 to 4 months (raw); 2 to 3 months (cooked)
It is important to keep in mind that when buying ground beef in the grocery, make it the last one to put into your shopping cart and choose the coldest pack in order to preserve its freshness as you drive back home.
How long is cooked beef good in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
Freezer: 2 to 3 months
Leftovers are better to consume immediately. With cooked beef, watch out for the development of moulds and/or rancid taste. When that happens, dispose of immediately.
How long does raw steak last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: up to 5 days
Freezer: 6 to 12 months
How raw steaks are packed is a very important factor to prolong its shelf life. Vacuum-sealed ones are more preferable than those in ordinary butcher plastic packaging simply because prolonged oxygen exposure of meats lessens its freshness.
How long does cooked steak last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 3 to 4 days
Freezer: 2 to 3 months
Wine nights are better if you have steak to go with it. You also need not worry should leftovers take place because steak fried rice is definitely a star dish in the morning.
How long does goat meat last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 days (ground/cubed), 3 to 5 days (large cuts); 3 to 4 days (cooked)
Freezer: 3 to 4 months (ground/cubed), 6 to 9 months (large cuts); 2 to 3 months (cooked)
Large or bulk cuts of goat meats are ideally kept in the freezer rather than in the fridge to extend shelf life. It is also advised to keep the original packaging of the meat once stored to preserve the freshness and avoid unnecessary contamination.
How long does rabbit meat last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 days (raw); up to 4 days (cooked)
Freezer: up to 12 months (raw); 4 to 6 months (cooked)
If you don’t have any plans of consuming rabbit meat within a period of 24 hours, better yet put it in the freezer. Just make sure to thoroughly defrost it before cooking.
How long does kangaroo meat last in the fridge?
Refrigerator: 1 to 2 days (raw); 3 to 4 days (cooked)
Freezer: up to 3 months (raw); 2 to 3 months (cooked)
Kangaroo meat is often mistaken with beef. The only difference is that kangaroo meat is much leaner, making it a healthier option.
Knowledge and practice of proper food storage can definitely go a long way. The foods we serve for our family plays an important role in providing proper nourishment for them. As it is said, prevention is always better than cure. So the next time you purchase your staples, make sure to consider this ultimate guide for a better and safer regimen.
