How Long Is It Safe to Store Food in the Freezer?

3/4 Previous Next

© Thinkstock

How Long Is It Good?

While your freezer goodies may be safe to eat until Armageddon arrives, there still is a certain point after which they just won't taste good. They lose their color, their flavor, their texture – essentially everything that made that food enjoyable to begin with.

This is where a frozen food's "expiration date" comes into play. As can be expected, each type of food has its own life span and can be stored for different amounts of time without losing its qualities.

Here are some of the most commonly stored items and how long they keep their quality, according to the USDA's Freezer Storage Chart:

• Casseroles – 2 to 3 months
• Frozen dinners – 3 to 4 months
• Gravy – 2 to 3 months
• Hot dogs and lunch meats – 1 to 2 months
• Meat, uncooked roasts – 4 to 12 months
• Meat, uncooked steaks or chops – 4 to 12 months
• Meat, cooked – 2 to 3 months
• Poultry, uncooked whole – 12 months
• Poultry, cooked – 4 months
• Soups and Stews – 2 to 3 months

For more guidelines on how long specific foods or dishes will last in your freezer, consult the USDA's complete chart or this even-more-extensive list from FreezerLabels.net.