How long food really lasts in the freezer
Freezing food is one of the simplest ways to save money, reduce waste, and keep your kitchen stocked with ready-to-use ingredients. But not all foods freeze the same — some last a full year while others lose their texture in just a few weeks.
This guide breaks down how long different foods can stay frozen, covering meats, dairy, veggies, fruits, cooked meals, snacks, drinks, and more.
🥩 1. Meat, Poultry & Seafood
Freezing meat keeps it safe long-term, but quality depends on fat content and packaging.
Best storage times:
- Steaks: 6–12 months
- Chops: 4–6 months
- Roasts: 4–12 months
- Ground meat: 3–4 months
- Bacon: 1 month
- Sausages: 1–2 months
Poultry:
- Whole chicken/turkey: Up to 1 year
- Chicken parts: 9 months
- Cooked poultry: 4–6 months
Seafood:
- Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel): 2–3 months
- Lean fish (cod, tilapia): 6 months
- Shrimp, scallops, squid: 3–6 months
- Crab or lobster meat: 3 months
Tip: Freeze portions flat to prevent freezer burn and save space.
🍗 2. Cooked Foods & Ready Meals
Leftovers freeze beautifully when portioned and cooled properly.
- Soups & stews: 2–3 months
- Casseroles: 2–3 months
- Cooked meats: 2–3 months
- Gravy / broth: 2–3 months
- Meat pies: 3–4 months
- Cooked pasta: 1–2 months
- Rice and grains: 1–2 months
- Pizza: 1–2 months
- Lasagna, stuffed peppers: 3 months
Freeze flat in zip bags for fast thawing.
🧈 3. Dairy & Eggs
Many people assume dairy doesn’t freeze — but most of it does!
- Butter: 6–9 months
- Hard cheese: 6 months
- Shredded cheese: 3 months
- Milk: 1–2 months
- Cream: 2 months
- Yogurt: 1–2 months
- Cottage cheese / ricotta: 2 months
- Raw yolks/whites: 1 year
- Egg dishes / casseroles: 2–3 months
Thaw dairy in the fridge and shake well to restore texture.
🥦 4. Vegetables
Blanching helps veggies keep their colour and nutrients.
- Leafy greens: 8 months
- Broccoli, cauliflower: 8–12 months
- Peas, beans, corn: 8–12 months
- Carrots, beets (blanched): 10–12 months
- Onions, peppers: 10–12 months
- Tomatoes (cooked): 6 months
- Mushrooms (sautéed): 3 months
- Zucchini / squash: 10 months
- Mashed potatoes: 10–12 months
- Avocado (mashed): 4–6 months
🍓 5. Fruits
Fruit freezes exceptionally well — great for smoothies, baking, and snacking.
- Berries: 12 months
- Mango, pineapple: 10–12 months
- Bananas (sliced): 6 months
- Apples (sliced): 8 months
- Grapes: 10 months
- Melon chunks: 8 months
- Citrus segments: 6 months
- Peach, plum, cherry: 10 months
🥐 6. Baked Goods & Doughs
Homemade treats last surprisingly long in the freezer.
- Bread, rolls: 3 months
- Muffins, cupcakes: 2–3 months
- Cakes (unfrosted): 3 months
- Cookies: 6 months
- Cookie dough: 3 months
- Pie crusts: 6 months
- Baked pies: 3–4 months
- Pancakes & waffles: 2 months
- Pizza dough: 3 months
- Tortillas: 3–4 months
🥫 7. Sauces, Stocks & Condiments
Freezing sauces saves so much time on busy weeks.
- Tomato sauce / paste: 6 months
- Pesto: 6 months
- Curry paste: 6 months
- Marinara: 6 months
- Alfredo / cream sauces: 3 months
- Broth / stock: 3–4 months
- Gravy: 2–3 months
- Hummus: 3 months
- Salsa: 2 months
🍲 8. Deli, Packaged & Snack Foods
Some items freeze well — others lose texture.
Freezable:
- Sandwiches (no lettuce/mayo) – 1 month
- Cooked nuggets, patties – 1–3 months
- Cooked burgers – 3 months
- Store-bought frozen dinners (sealed) – 2–3 months
Not recommended:
- Homemade salads
- Opened ready meals
- Mayo-based or lettuce-based items
- Pre-stuffed meat or poultry
🍹 9. Drinks & Miscellaneous
- Fresh juice: 8–12 months
- Smoothies / smoothie packs: 6 months
- Coffee / cold brew: 2 months
- Wine for cooking: 6 months
- Herb-oil cubes: 3 months
- Baby food: 3 months
Final Tips for Better Freezing
- Always label with name + date.
- Cool hot foods before freezing.
- Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Freeze in flat portions for easy stacking.