Ensuring food safety is crucial, especially when it comes to meat products. Understanding how long you can safely store meat in your refrigerator and freezer is key to preventing spoilage and foodborne illnesses. This guide provides essential timelines for storing various types of meat to maintain both safety and quality.
Refrigerator Storage for Meat (40°F or below)
Proper refrigeration is vital for slowing down bacterial growth and keeping your meat safe to eat. Here’s a breakdown of recommended refrigerator storage times for different kinds of meat:
- Beef, Veal, Lamb, and Pork:
- Steaks, Chops, and Roasts: These cuts of fresh beef, veal, lamb, and pork are best used within 3 to 5 days when refrigerated.
- Hamburger, Ground Meats, and Ground Poultry (beef, turkey, chicken, pork, lamb, mixtures): Ground meats are more susceptible to bacteria due to increased surface area. Use within 1 to 2 days.
- Poultry:
- Chicken or Turkey (whole or pieces): Fresh poultry is highly perishable. Refrigerate and use within 1 to 2 days.
- Processed Meats:
- Hot Dogs: Once opened, hot dogs should be consumed within 1 week. Unopened packages last for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Luncheon Meat (opened package or deli sliced): Enjoy within 3 to 5 days. Unopened packages are good for 2 weeks.
- Bacon: Refrigerate bacon for no more than 1 week.
- Sausage:
- Raw sausage (chicken, turkey, pork, or beef): Use within 1 to 2 days.
- Fully cooked sausage (chicken, turkey, pork, or beef): Consume within 1 week.
- Purchased frozen sausage (after cooking): 3-4 days.
- Ham:
- Fresh, uncured, uncooked ham: 3 to 5 days.
- Fresh, uncured, cooked ham: 3 to 4 days.
- Cured, cook-before-eating, uncooked ham: 5 to 7 days (or by the “use by” date).
- Fully-cooked, vacuum-sealed ham (unopened): 2 weeks (or by the “use by” date).
- Cooked, store-wrapped ham (whole): 1 week.
- Cooked, store-wrapped ham (slices, half, or spiral cut): 3 to 5 days.
- Country ham, cooked: 1 week.
- Canned ham labeled “Keep Refrigerated” (unopened): 6 to 9 months. Once opened, treat like other cooked ham and use within 3 to 4 days.
- Canned ham, shelf-stable (opened): 3 to 4 days.
- Prosciutto, Parma or Serrano ham, dry Italian or Spanish type, cut: 2 to 3 months.
Freezer Storage for Meat (0°F or below)
Freezing meat is an excellent way to extend its shelf life significantly. While frozen meat stored at 0°F (-18°C) is technically safe indefinitely, quality can decline over time. These guidelines are for optimal quality:
- Beef, Veal, Lamb, and Pork:
- Steaks, Chops, and Roasts: Maintain best quality for 4 to 12 months in the freezer.
- Hamburger, Ground Meats, and Ground Poultry: Freeze for 3 to 4 months for best quality.
- Poultry:
- Chicken or Turkey (whole): Can be frozen for up to 1 year.
- Chicken or Turkey (pieces): Best used within 9 months for optimal quality.
- Processed Meats:
- Hot Dogs and Luncheon Meat: Freeze for 1 to 2 months.
- Bacon: Freezing bacon is recommended for only 1 month to prevent changes in texture and flavor.
- Sausage:
- Raw sausage (chicken, turkey, pork, or beef): Freeze for 1 to 2 months.
- Fully cooked sausage (chicken, turkey, pork, or beef): Freeze for 1 to 2 months.
- Purchased frozen sausage (after cooking): 1-2 months from date of purchase.
- Ham:
- Fresh, uncured, uncooked ham: 6 months.
- Fresh, uncured, cooked ham: 3 to 4 months.
- Cured, cook-before-eating, uncooked ham: 3 to 4 months.
- Fully-cooked, vacuum-sealed ham (unopened): 1 to 2 months.
- Cooked, store-wrapped ham (whole, slices, half, or spiral cut): 1 to 2 months.
- Country ham, cooked: 1 month.
- Canned ham labeled “Keep Refrigerated” (unopened): Do not freeze.
- Canned ham, shelf-stable (opened): 1 to 2 months.
- Prosciutto, Parma or Serrano ham, dry Italian or Spanish type, cut: 1 month.
Canned Meat Considerations
Canned meats offer a convenient and shelf-stable option.
- Shelf-Stable Canned Ham: Unopened, shelf-stable canned ham can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 years. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and used within 3 to 4 days. Freezing opened canned ham is possible for 1 to 2 months, though texture may change.
- Refrigerated Canned Ham: Canned ham labeled “Keep Refrigerated” must be stored in the refrigerator. Unopened, it can last 6 to 9 months. Do not freeze this type of canned ham.
General Safe Meat Storage Tips
- Store Promptly: Refrigerate or freeze meat as soon as possible after purchase, ideally within two hours of shopping.
- Proper Packaging: Ensure meat is tightly wrapped in airtight packaging to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality. Use freezer-safe bags, wraps, or containers.
- Label and Date: Label all packages with the type of meat and the date of storage to help you keep track of storage times.
- Thaw Safely: Thaw frozen meat safely in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. Never thaw meat at room temperature.
- Cook to Safe Temperatures: Always cook meat to safe internal temperatures to destroy harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to ensure accurate cooking.
For more detailed storage tips for over 650 foods and beverages, you can use the FoodKeeper App to help you keep food safe and reduce waste. Knowing how long Can Food Meat last is essential for safe food handling and consumption.
