Refrigerator Storage

Refrigerator Storage of Meats

		You can keep it approximately this long
Meats	How to store	In Refrigerator 35-40°F	In Freezer 0°F
Raw roasts, steaks, chops, smoked	In retail packages, waxed paper, or foil. Store in coldest part of refrigerator. For freezing, wrap in foil or freezer paper.	3-5 days	4-12 months
Raw livers, raw heart, raw kidneys and other variety meats	Store like roast, steaks, etc.	1-2 days	3-4 months
Raw ground meat	Store like roast, steaks, etc.	1-2 days	3-4 months
Sliced bacon	Keep in original package, sealable bags, or foil. Store in coldest part of refrigerator or in meat keeper.	7 days	1 month
Lunchmeat	Keep wrapped. Store in coldest part of refrigerator.	3-5 days, opened 2 weeks, unopened	1-2 months
Cooked meat dishes and leftovers	Cool and refrigerate immediately. Store in tightly covered container.	3-4 days	2-3 months

		You can keep it approximately this long
Poultry	How to store	In Refrigerator 35-40°F	In Freezer 0°F
Fresh poultry	Refrigerate in wax paper, foil or in covered container.	1-2 days	9-12 months
Cooked poultry, leftovers	Cool and refrigerate within 2 hours after cooking. Remove stuffing and refrigerate. Wrap and refrigerate.	3-4 days, unless covered in broth or gravy, then 1-2 days	4-6 months

		You can keep it approximately this long
Fish	How to store	On Refrigerator Shelves 35-40°F	In Freezer 0°F
Fresh fish	Refrigerate. Wrap in waxed paper or foil; store in covered container	1-2 days. Keep shellfish to be eaten raw only a few hours.	2-6 months
Cooked fish	Refrigerate tightly wrapped in a covered container.	3-4 days	4-6 month
Fresh shrimp, scallops, crawfish, squid	Keep in original container	1-2 days	3-6 months
Shrimp	Keep in original container	1day, fresh (uncooked)	3 months