Storage Chart for Purchased Items
By keeping the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer well stocked with commonly used ingredients, you can cut down on those last-minute trips to the store. Purchase products by "sell by" or expiration dates, and follow these guidelines for storing them.
| Product | To Store: | Refrigerate (40�F) up to: | Freeze (0�F) up to: | ||
| Dairy Products | |||||
| Butter | Refrigerate in original packaging; to freeze, overwrap with moisture- and vaporproof wrap. | 1 month | 6 months | ||
| Buttermilk | Refrigerate in original packaging. To freeze, transfer to freezer containers; allow for head-space. | 7 days | 3 months | ||
| Cheese, cottage,and ricotta | Refrigerate in original packaging. If no date given, use within 5 days of purchase. | Use by date on container. | Do not freeze | ||
| Sour cream | Refrigerate in original packaging. | 7 days | Do not freeze | ||
| Yogurt | Refrigerate in original packaging; transfer to freezer container to freeze. | 7 days | 1 month | ||
| Eggs | |||||
| Hard-cooked, in shells | Refrigerate. | 7 days | Do not freeze | ||
| Whites | Refrigerate in tightly covered containers; transfer to freezer container to freeze. | 4 days | 1 year | ||
| Whole, beaten | Beat whites and yolks together and place in freezer container | Not applicable | 1 year | ||
| Whole, in shells | Store whole eggs in carton placed in coldest part of refrigerator. Do not wash; do not store | 5 weeks after | Do not freeze | ||
| Yolks | Refrigerate unbroken raw yolks covered with water in a tightly covered container | 2 days | Do not freeze | ||
| Meats, Poultry, Fish | |||||
| Bacon | Refrigerate in original wrapping; overwrap in freezer wrap to freeze. | 7 days | 1 month | ||
| Sausage, raw | Same as bacon, above | 1 to 2 days | 2 months | ||
| Sausage, smoked links/patties | Refrigerate in original wrapping; overwrap in freezer wrap to freeze. | 7 days | 1 month | ||
| Ham, fully cooked, whole | Wrap in appropriate refrigerator wrap or in moisture- and vaporproof wrap to freeze. | 7 days | 1 month | ||
| Ham, canned (labeled "keep refrigerated") | Chill, unopened, in original can. After opening, wrap in appropriate wrap. | 6 months (unopened) | 1 month after opening (Do not freeze in can) | ||
| Hot Dogs | Refrigerate in original wrapping After opening, wrap in appropriate wrap. | 2 weeks (unopened) 1 week (opened) | 1 month | ||
| Lunch Meats | Refrigerate in original wrapping. After opening, wrap in appropriate wrap. | 2 weeks (unopened) 3 to 5 days (opened) | 1 month | ||
| Beef, uncooked roasts and steaks | Refrigerate in original wrapping; overwrap in freezer wrap to freeze. | 3 to 5 days | 1 year | ||
| Lamb, uncooked roasts and chops | Refrigerate in original wrapping; overwrap in freezer wrap to freeze. | 3 to 5 days | 9 months | ||
| Pork, uncooked roasts and chops. | Refrigerate in original wrapping; overwrap in freezer wrap to freeze. | 3 to 5 days | 6 months | ||
| Ground beef, lamb, pork, veal | Refrigerate in original wrapping; overwrap in freezer wrap to freeze. | 1 to 2 days | 4 months | ||
| Poultry (chicken or turkey), uncooked, whole | Refrigerate in original wrapping; overwrap in freezer wrap to freeze. | 1 to 2 days | 1 year | ||
| Poultry (chicken or turkey), uncooked pieces | Refrigerate in original wrapping; overwrap in freezer wrap to freeze. | 1 to 2 days | 9 months | ||
| Ground Turkey | Refrigerate in original wrapping; overwrap in freezer wrap to freeze. | 1 to 2 days | 4 months | ||
| Fish | Store in moisture- and vaporproof wrap in coldest part of refrigerator. | 1 to 2 days | 3 months | ||
| Produce | |||||
| Garlic | Store in a cool, dark, dry place; do not refrigerate or freeze. Store whole bulbs up to 8 weeks; individual cloves 3 to 10 days. Discard shriveled, discolored, or dried-out cloves. | ||||
| Pantry Staples | |||||
| Instant chicken or beef granules | Store in a cool, dry place or refrigerate. Check package for expiration date. | ||||
| Olive oil | Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months or refrigerate up to 1 year. | ||||
| Cooking oil | Store at room temperature for up to 6 months. | ||||
| Pasta and rice | Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place. Store brown rice up to 6 months, dried pasta and long grain white rice indefinitely. | ||||
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