How long can food stay in the freezer?
Complete shelf life chart for frozen foods. Find out how long meat, fish, vegetables and other items last in the freezer at -18 degrees.
All times apply at -18°C. Based on food safety authority recommendations.
🐟Fish and seafood
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Salmon, cod, trout | 3 mo |
| Shrimp and seafood | 2 mo |
| Fish sticks (processed) | 6 mo |
| Fish cakes, fish balls | 3 mo |
🥩Meat (raw)
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Steak, roast, chops | 6 mo |
| Ground beef, minceShorter due to larger surface area | 3 mo |
| Game (elk, deer, reindeer) | 9 mo |
| Cured lamb ribs | 12 mo |
| Pork belly, pork roast | 6 mo |
🍗Chicken and poultry
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Chicken breast, thighs | 4 mo |
| Turkey | 4 mo |
| Duck, poultry | 4 mo |
🍱Ready meals and processed meat
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Sausages | 3 mo |
| Meatballs | 3 mo |
| Bacon, cured meats | 2 mo |
| Lasagna, casseroles | 3 mo |
🥦Vegetables and herbs
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Broccoli, cauliflower, peas, beans | 12 mo |
| Corn, french fries, potato wedges | 12 mo |
| Mushrooms | 6 mo |
🍞Bread and baked goods
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Bread, rolls, baguette | 3 mo |
| Pizza, pizza dough | 4 mo |
| Flatbread, tortillas | 3 mo |
| Cake, muffins, buns | 3 mo |
🧀Dairy and eggs
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Butter, margarine | 4 mo |
| Cheese, shredded cheese | 4 mo |
| Cream, sour cream | 4 mo |
🍦Ice cream and desserts
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Ice cream, popsicles | 4 mo |
| Sorbet | 12 mo |
🍓Fruit and berries
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries | 12 mo |
| Mango, pineapple, peach | 12 mo |
| BananaBest used in smoothies | 3 mo |
🍲Ready meals and soups
| Food item | Shelf life |
|---|
| Soups, stews, sauces | 3 mo |
| Frozen pizza | 4 mo |
| Dumplings, gyoza, burritos | 3 mo |
Frequently asked questions
Can you freeze cheese?
Yes. Shredded and semi-hard cheese can be frozen for up to 4 months. The texture may become crumbly after thawing, so it works best for cooking.
How long do frozen berries last?
Frozen berries last up to 12 months in the freezer. They retain most of their nutritional value and work well in smoothies, baking, and desserts.
Is food safe to eat after the recommended shelf life?
Food frozen at -18 degrees is technically safe to eat indefinitely, but quality degrades over time. The shelf life times in the chart indicate the period where food retains the best quality, flavour, and nutritional value.
Veloop calculates shelf life automatically for you.
Learn more about the freezer overview
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