You know, sometimes we cook some food, maybe a nice bolognese, but the next night you are out dinning with friends, and next day you order pizza...and the following day you question yourself "Can I still eat or freeze that?".
Well, At least that happens to me all the time.
So I thought I would research and write a little guide of how long can we keep what in the fridge and freezer and it is still safe to eat. Those are basic guidelines, so make sure you also smell it and go with your gut feeling.
According to Foodsafety.gov here is a useful chart:
According to Chicken.org.au,
STORING
Refrigeration
• Most raw or cooked chicken can be stored safely in the fridge at 5°C or lower for 2–3 days - minced
poultry for just one day.
• Keep raw chicken away from other foods in the fridge AND during preparation, so raw chicken
juices do not drip on to other food that will be eaten raw, such as fruits or vegetables.
• If you are storing for more than 2–3 days, chicken products should be frozen.
Well, At least that happens to me all the time.
So I thought I would research and write a little guide of how long can we keep what in the fridge and freezer and it is still safe to eat. Those are basic guidelines, so make sure you also smell it and go with your gut feeling.
According to Foodsafety.gov here is a useful chart:
Category
|
Food
|
Refrigerator(40 °F or below)
|
Freezer(0 °F or below)
|
|---|---|---|---|
Salads
|
Egg, chicken, ham, tuna & macaroni salads
|
3 to 5 days
|
Does not freeze well
|
Hot dogs
|
opened package
|
1 week
|
1 to 2 months
|
unopened package
|
2 weeks
|
1 to 2 months
| |
Luncheon meat
|
opened package or deli sliced
|
3 to 5 days
|
1 to 2 months
|
unopened package
|
2 weeks
|
1 to 2 months
| |
Bacon & Sausage
|
Bacon
|
7 days
|
1 month
|
Sausage, raw — from chicken, turkey, pork, beef
|
1 to 2 days
|
1 to 2 months
| |
Hamburger & Other Ground Meats
|
Hamburger, ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb, & mixtures of them
|
1 to 2 days
|
3 to 4 months
|
Fresh Beef, Veal, Lamb & Pork
|
Steaks
|
3 to 5 days
|
6 to 12 months
|
Chops
|
3 to 5 days
|
4 to 6 months
| |
Roasts
|
3 to 5 days
|
4 to 12 months
| |
Fresh Poultry
|
Chicken or turkey, whole
|
1 to 2 days
|
1 year
|
Chicken or turkey, pieces
|
1 to 2 days
|
9 months
| |
Soups & Stews
|
Vegetable or meat added
|
3 to 4 days
|
2 to 3 months
|
Leftovers
|
Cooked meat or poultry
|
3 to 4 days
|
2 to 6 months
|
Chicken nuggets or patties
|
3 to 4 days
|
1 to 3 months
| |
Pizza
|
3 to 4 days
|
1 to 2 months
|
According to Chicken.org.au,
STORING
Refrigeration
• Most raw or cooked chicken can be stored safely in the fridge at 5°C or lower for 2–3 days - minced
poultry for just one day.
• Keep raw chicken away from other foods in the fridge AND during preparation, so raw chicken
juices do not drip on to other food that will be eaten raw, such as fruits or vegetables.
• If you are storing for more than 2–3 days, chicken products should be frozen.
FREEZING TIPS
• Freeze fresh chicken as soon as possible to maintain quality.
• Use moisture proof wrap or bags when freezing chicken and label packages with the content and date it was frozen.
• Thaw frozen chicken:
• in the refrigerator
• in cold water, changing every 30 minutes
• in the microwave
• NEVER thaw chicken at room temperature
Hope it helps :)