How Long Can You Freeze Food?
Food held constantly at 0 °F (−18 °C) stays safe indefinitely. The times below are best-quality windows: after them the food is still safe, but flavour and texture decline.
Storage times
| Food | Where | Best quality |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds | Freezer — from date of purchase | 20 months (best quality) |
| Amaranth | Freezer | 8 months (best quality) |
| Anchovies | Freezer | 2 months (best quality) |
| Apple juice | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Apples | Freezer | 8 months (best quality) |
| Applesauce | Freezer | 8 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Asparagus | Freezer — from date of purchase | 5 months (best quality) |
| Baby carrots | Freezer | 3 months (best quality) |
| Bacon | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 month (best quality) |
| Bacon grease | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Bagel | Freezer | 3 months (best quality) |
| Bananas | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Barley | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Beans and peas | Freezer — from date of purchase | 8 months (best quality) |
| Beef | Freezer — from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Beef broth/stock/consommé | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Beets | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 to 8 months (best quality) |
| Berries | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Bison | Freezer | 6 to 9 months (best quality) |
| Blueberries | Freezer | 8 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Bok choy | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Bratwurst | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Broccoli and broccoli raab (rapini) | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Broth | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Brussels sprouts | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Buckwheat | Freezer | 4 months (best quality) |
| Butter | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 to 9 months (best quality) |
| Buttermilk | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 months (best quality) |
| Cabbage | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Canadian bacon | Freezer | 2 months (best quality) |
| Cantaloupe | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Capon | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Carrot juice | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Carrots, parsnips | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Cashews | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Cauliflower | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Celery | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Cheese | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Cheese Curds | Freezer | 4 months (best quality) |
| Cheesecake | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 to 6 months (best quality) |
| Cherimoya | Freezer | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Cherries | Freezer | 8 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Chicken | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Chicken broth/stock/consommé | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Chicken nuggets, patties | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Chicken parts | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 months (best quality) |
| Chorizo | Freezer | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Cinnamon rolls | Freezer | 3 months (best quality) |
| Coconut | Freezer | 1 year (best quality) |
| Coconut cream | Freezer | 3 months (best quality) |
| Coconut flour | Freezer | 9 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Coconut milk | Freezer | 3 months (best quality) |
| Coffee | Freezer | 1 to 2 years (best quality) |
| Commercial bread products | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 to 5 months (best quality) |
| Commercial cakes and muffins | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Cooked fish | Freezer | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Cooked pasta | Freezer | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Cooked poultry dishes | Freezer | 4 to 6 months (best quality) |
| Cooked rice | Freezer | 6 months (best quality) |
| Cooked shellfish | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Cookie dough | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 months (best quality) |
| Cookies | Freezer — from date of purchase | 8 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Corn on the cob | Freezer — from date of purchase | 8 months (best quality) |
| Corned beef | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 month (best quality) |
| Cornish Hens | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Crab legs | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Crab meat | Freezer | 2 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Crackers | Freezer | 3 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Cranberries | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Cream | Freezer | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Croutons | Freezer | 11 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Dairy filled eclairs | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 months (best quality) |
| Dates | Freezer | 1 to 2 years (best quality) |
| Dough | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Duckling | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Edamame | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 years (best quality) |
| Egg dishes | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Egg substitutes | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Eggnog | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Eggplant | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 to 8 months (best quality) |
| Eggs | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Farro | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Fatty fish | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Fish | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Flaxseed | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Fresh lobster tails | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 to 4 weeks (best quality) |
| Fresh pasta | Freezer | 2 months (best quality) |
| Fresh whole lobster | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 to 4 weeks (best quality) |
| Fried chicken | Freezer | 4 months (best quality) |
| Frozen entrees | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Frozen potato products | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Frozen pretzels | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 months (best quality) |
| Fruit cake | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Fruit pies | Freezer | 8 months (best quality) |
| Fruits | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 18 months (best quality) |
| Frying oil | Freezer | 6 to 9 months (best quality) |
| Garlic | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 month (best quality) |
| Giblets | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Ginger root | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Goat | Freezer — from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Goose | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Grapes | Freezer | 1 month (best quality) |
| Greens | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Ground turkey or chicken | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Guacamole | Freezer | 3 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Ham | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Herbs | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Honeydew | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Hot dogs | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Hot peppers | Freezer | 9 months (best quality) |
| Ice cream | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Ice pops | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 months (best quality) |
| Juice concentrates | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 years (best quality) |
| Kale | Freezer — from date of purchase | 8 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Kohlrabi | Freezer | 8 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Kugel | Freezer | 1 year (best quality) |
| Lamb | Freezer — from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Lean fish | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 to 8 months (best quality) |
| Leeks | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Leftovers | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Lemon juice | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Lemongrass | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Live clams, mussels, crab, and oysters | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Lobster tails | Freezer — from date of purchase | 8 months (best quality) |
| Luncheon meat or poultry | Freezer | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Macadamias | Freezer — from date of purchase | 24 months (best quality) |
| Macaroons | Freezer | 3 months (best quality) |
| Main dishes or meals | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Margarine | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Meats | Freezer | 6 months (best quality) |
| Melons | Freezer | 1 month (best quality) |
| Milk | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 months (best quality) |
| Millet | Freezer | 4 months (best quality) |
| Muffin | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Mung bean | Freezer | 1 year (best quality) |
| Mushrooms | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Mustard | Freezer | 1 to 2 years (best quality) |
| Nacho cheese | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 months (best quality) |
| Nuts | Freezer | 6 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Oats | Freezer | 8 months (best quality) |
| Okra | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Onions | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Orange juice | Freezer — from date of purchase | 8 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Pancakes, waffles | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 months (best quality) |
| Papaya, mango, feijoa, passionfruit, casaha melon | Freezer | 6 to 8 months (best quality) |
| Parsley | Freezer | 3 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Pate | Freezer | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, sapote | Freezer | 2 months (best quality) |
| Peanuts | Freezer — from date of purchase | 24 months (best quality) |
| Pecans | Freezer — from date of purchase | 24 months (best quality) |
| Peppers | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 to 8 months (best quality) |
| Pesto | Freezer | 1 month (best quality) |
| Pheasant | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Pie crust | Freezer | 2 months (best quality) |
| Pies | Freezer | 8 months (best quality) |
| Pine nuts | Freezer | 9 months (best quality) |
| Pineapple | Freezer | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Pistachios | Freezer — from date of purchase | 24 months (best quality) |
| Pitaya/dragon fruit | Freezer | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Pizza | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Plantains | Freezer | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Polenta | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Pomegranate | Freezer | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Pork | Freezer — from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Potatoes | Freezer | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Poultry pieces | Freezer | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Prickly pear | Freezer | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Prosciutto | Freezer | 1 month (best quality) |
| Puff pastry | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Quail | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Quiche | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Quinoa | Freezer | 6 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Rabbit | Freezer | 9 months (best quality) |
| Raspberries | Freezer | 8 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Raw kabobs with vegetables | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Ready-to-bake pie crust | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 months (best quality) |
| Rotisserie chicken | Freezer — from date of purchase | 4 months (best quality) |
| Rutabagas | Freezer — from date of purchase | 8 to 10 months (best quality) |
| Rye | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Salami | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Salsa | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Sausage | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Sausages | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Scallops | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 to 18 months (best quality) |
| Sherbet, sorbet | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 months (best quality) |
| Shrimp, crayfish | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 to 18 months (best quality) |
| Shrimp, shellfish | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 to 18 months (best quality) |
| Shucked clams, mussels, and oysters | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Sorghum | Freezer | 8 months (best quality) |
| Soup, stews | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Soy crumbles and hot dogs | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Soy meat substitutes | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 to 18 months (best quality) |
| Spelt | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Squash | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Squid | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 to 18 months (best quality) |
| Star fruit | Freezer | 10 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Strawberries | Freezer | 8 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Stuffed, raw chicken breasts | Freezer | 9 months (best quality) |
| Stuffed, raw pork chops | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 months (best quality) |
| Surimi seafood | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 months (best quality) |
| Tamarind | Freezer | 1 year (best quality) |
| Teff | Freezer | 8 months (best quality) |
| Tempeh | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Tofu | Freezer — from date of purchase | 5 months (best quality) |
| Tomato paste | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Tomatoes | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 months (best quality) |
| Tortillas | Freezer — from date of purchase | 6 months (best quality) |
| Turducken | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 months (best quality) |
| Turkey | Freezer — from date of purchase | 12 months (best quality) |
| Turkey bacon | Freezer — from date of purchase | 2 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Turkey parts | Freezer — from date of purchase | 9 months (best quality) |
| Turnips | Freezer — from date of purchase | 8 to 10 months (best quality) |
| Variety meats | Freezer — from date of purchase | 3 to 4 months (best quality) |
| Veal | Freezer — from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Vegetable soup | Freezer | 3 months (best quality) |
| Vegetable stock/broth | Freezer | 2 to 3 months (best quality) |
| Vegetables | Freezer — from date of purchase | 10 to 18 months (best quality) |
| Venison | Freezer — from date of purchase | 4 to 12 months (best quality) |
| Walnuts | Freezer — from date of purchase | 24 months (best quality) |
| Watermelon | Freezer | 12 months (best quality) |
| Whipped topping | Freezer | 14 months (best quality) |
| Whole wheat bread | Freezer | 3 months (best quality) |
| Whole wheat flour | Freezer | 2 years (best quality) |
| Yeast | Freezer | 6 months (best quality) |
| Yogurt | Freezer | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Yuca/cassava | Freezer — from date of purchase | 1 to 2 months (best quality) |
| Yuzu juice | Freezer | 1 to 2 years (best quality) |
| Zucchini | Freezer | 10 months (best quality) |
Freezer windows are quality guidelines, not safety cutoffs. They assume a freezer held at 0 °F (−18 °C) and food that stayed frozen throughout.
Every time above is quoted from the USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (v128, snapshot 2026-07-24) — nothing here is averaged or estimated. A storage window is a guideline, not proof that a specific item is safe. See the methodology.
More guides
- How Long Do Leftovers Last?Official USDA FoodKeeper refrigerator times for leftovers — cooked poultry, rice, pasta, casseroles, soups and prepared salads — with a use-by date calculator on every food.
- How Long Does Food Last After Opening?Once a package is opened the clock changes.
- Thanksgiving Food Storage TimesTurkey, ham, gravy, cranberry sauce, casseroles, potatoes and pies — official USDA FoodKeeper storage times for the Thanksgiving table and the leftovers.