Meat Shelf Life
Raw meat follows two simple rules: ground meat, fresh sausage and stew meat keep 1–2 days in the fridge, while whole cuts such as steaks, chops and roasts keep 3–5 days. Cured and smoked meats last longer but still run on a clock once opened. Everything here freezes well, and nothing here is safe on the counter for more than 2 hours.
24 foods · times shown are for the most common state of each food; tap a food for every state, storage tips and spoilage signs.
Beef
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Liver Raw |
1–2 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Beef Roast Raw |
3–5 days | 4–12 months | Not safe |
| Beef Stew Meat Raw |
1–2 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Brisket Raw |
3–5 days | 4–12 months | Not safe |
| Corned Beef Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Ground Beef Raw |
1–2 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Hamburger Patties Raw |
1–2 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Steak Raw |
3–5 days | 4–12 months | Not safe |
| Veal Raw |
3–5 days | 4–12 months | Not safe |
Cured & processed pork
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacon Opened |
1 week | 1 month | Not safe |
| Ham Cooked, sliced |
3–5 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
Game
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venison Raw |
2–3 days | 9–12 months | Not safe |
Lamb
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Lamb Raw |
1–2 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Lamb Chops Raw |
3–5 days | 6–9 months | Not safe |
| Leg of Lamb Raw |
3–5 days | 6–9 months | Not safe |
Pork
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Pork Raw |
1–2 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Pork Chops Raw |
3–5 days | 4–6 months | Not safe |
| Pork Ribs Raw |
3–5 days | 4–6 months | Not safe |
| Pork Shoulder Raw |
3–5 days | 4–6 months | Not safe |
| Pork Tenderloin Raw |
3–5 days | 4–6 months | Not safe |
Sausages
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bratwurst Raw |
1–2 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Chorizo Raw |
1–2 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Hot Dogs Opened |
1 week | 1–2 months | Not safe |
| Sausage Raw |
1–2 days | 1–2 months | Not safe |
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature. Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers. Freezer times are best-quality windows at 0°F (−18°C).