How Long Does Food Last in the Fridge?

Knowing how long food lasts helps you reduce waste, save money, and avoid foodborne illness. This guide covers the most common foods with fridge, freezer, and pantry storage times.

Meat and Poultry

Food	Fridge	Freezer
Chicken (raw)	1-2 days	9-12 months
Beef (raw)	3-5 days	4-12 months
Pork (raw)	3-5 days	4-6 months
Fish (raw)	1-2 days	3-8 months
Ground meat	1-2 days	3-4 months
Cooked meat	3-4 days	2-3 months

Dairy and Eggs

Food	Fridge	Freezer
Whole milk	7 days	3 months
Yogurt	1-2 weeks	1-2 months
Eggs	3-5 weeks	1 year (beaten)
Hard cheese	3-4 weeks	6 months
Butter	1-3 months	6-9 months

Fruits

Food	Fridge	Counter
Apples	4-6 weeks	1-3 weeks
Bananas	5-7 days	2-5 days
Strawberries	1-2 weeks	1-2 days
Grapes	1-2 weeks	3-5 days
Oranges	3-4 weeks	1-2 weeks
Blueberries	1-2 weeks	1-2 days
Watermelon (cut)	3-5 days	Same day

Vegetables

Food	Fridge	Counter
Broccoli	3-5 days	1-2 days
Carrots	3-4 weeks	3-5 days
Lettuce	3-7 days	1 day
Tomatoes	1-2 weeks	3-5 days
Potatoes	3-4 weeks	1-2 months (cool, dark)
Peppers	1-2 weeks	2-3 days
Spinach	3-5 days	1 day

Cooked Food and Leftovers

Food	Fridge	Freezer
Cooked rice	4-6 days	6 months
Cooked pasta	3-5 days	2-3 months
Soups and stews	3-4 days	2-3 months
Pizza	3-4 days	1-2 months
Casseroles	3-4 days	2-3 months

General Storage Tips

• Keep your fridge at 4C (40F) or below.
• Store raw meat on the lowest shelf to prevent drips.
• Use airtight containers for leftovers.
• Do not leave perishable food at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
• When in doubt about freshness, check the look, smell, and texture before consuming.
• Label leftovers with the date they were stored.

Not Sure If Your Food Is Still Good?

Download SPOIL and scan any food with your phone camera. Get an instant freshness verdict with visual reasoning, estimated days remaining, and storage tips. Free on iOS and Android.