How Long Does Lamb Last?
Storage method
* freezer times are best-quality windows
Lamb — leg, bone-in - small — refrigerator, from date of purchase
3 to 5 days in the refrigerator
- Refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C)
- Applies from date of purchase · leg, bone-in - small
Pick a valid date to calculate the recommended use-by window.
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24) · About this data · Report an issue
FoodStorageCheck — official USDA FoodKeeper guidance · foodstoragecheck.com
All official guidance for lamb
Every storage entry the USDA FoodKeeper dataset lists for this food, exactly as published (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24). “No official duration listed” means the source does not provide a number for that combination — not that the food lasts forever.
Lamb — leg, bone-in - small
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — leg, bone-in - large
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — leg; boneless, rolled
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — crown roast
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — shoulder roast or shank leg half
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — cubes for kabobs
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — ground
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 1 to 2 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 3 to 4 months (best quality) |
Lamb — chops, ribs, or loin
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — leg steaks
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — stew meat, pieces
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — shanks
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Lamb — breast, rolled
| Where | Condition | Official time |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | from date of purchase | 3 to 5 days |
| Freezer | from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
Common questions about lamb
- How long does lamb last in the refrigerator?
- 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. Times assume a refrigerator at or below 40 °F (4 °C).
- Can you freeze lamb?
- Yes. 4 to 12 months in the freezer, counted from the date of purchase, per the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset. This is a best-quality window — food kept constantly frozen at 0 °F (−18 °C) stays safe indefinitely.
Two reminders that apply here
Keep the fridge at 40 °F (4 °C) or below.Refrigerator times in this dataset assume a refrigerator held at or below 40 °F. An appliance thermometer is the reliable way to check.
The two-hour rule.Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90 °F / 32 °C) should be discarded, per FoodSafety.gov. Storage windows assume food was refrigerated promptly.