Food storage guide
How long does food last?
Fridge, freezer and cupboard times for everyday groceries, plus where each one keeps best and how to spot when it has turned. Pantry Buddy uses the same shelf-life table to date the items on your receipts.
Fruit & vegetables
- SpinachFridge: 3–5 days
- LettuceFridge: 3–7 days (whole heads up to 2 weeks)
- KaleFridge: 5–7 days
- ArugulaFridge: 3–5 days
- StrawberriesFridge: 3–4 days
- RaspberriesFridge: 2–3 days
- BlueberriesFridge: 5–10 days
- GrapesFridge: 1–2 weeks
- MushroomsFridge: 3–7 days
- AvocadosFridge: 3–5 days once ripe
- AsparagusFridge: 3–4 days
- Corn on the cobFridge: 1–4 days in the husk
- TomatoesFridge: 5–10 days (ripe)
- CucumbersFridge: 7–10 days
- ZucchiniFridge: 5–10 days
- EggplantFridge: 5–7 days
- Bell peppersFridge: 1–2 weeks
- BroccoliFridge: 3–5 days
- CauliflowerFridge: 5–7 days
- Green beansFridge: 3–5 days
- Green onionsFridge: 5–7 days
- ApplesFridge: 3–6 weeks
- OrangesFridge: 3–4 weeks
- LemonsFridge: 3–4 weeks
- LimesFridge: 3–4 weeks
- PearsFridge: 5–7 days once ripe
- PeachesFridge: 3–5 days once ripe
- PlumsFridge: 3–5 days once ripe
- KiwiFridge: 1–2 weeks
- CeleryFridge: 1–2 weeks
- CarrotsFridge: 3–4 weeks
- BeetsFridge: 2–3 weeks
- CabbageFridge: 2–4 weeks whole
- OnionsFridge: 7–10 days (cut)
- GarlicFridge: 1–2 weeks (peeled cloves)
- PotatoesCupboard: 3–5 weeks
- Sweet potatoesCupboard: 3–5 weeks
- GingerFridge: 3–4 weeks
- BananasFridge: 5–7 days once ripe (peel darkens)
- Butternut squashFridge: 5–7 days (cut)
- CherriesFridge: 4–7 days
- PineappleFridge: 3–5 days (cut)
- WatermelonFridge: 3–5 days (cut)
- CilantroFridge: 1–2 weeks (in water)
- BasilCupboard: 5–7 days (stems in water)
- MangoesFridge: 5 days once ripe
Dairy & eggs
- MilkFridge: 5–10 days sealed, about 7 days once opened
- EggsFridge: 3–5 weeks
- ButterFridge: 1–3 months
- YogurtFridge: 1–3 weeks
- Sour creamFridge: 1–3 weeks
- Cream cheeseFridge: 3 weeks sealed, 1–2 weeks opened
- Heavy creamFridge: up to 3 weeks sealed, about 1 week opened
- Cheddar cheeseFridge: 3–4 weeks opened, up to 6 months sealed
- ParmesanFridge: 4–6 weeks opened wedge
- MozzarellaFridge: 1–2 weeks (fresh); 3–4 weeks (low-moisture block)
- FetaFridge: about 1 month in brine
- Cottage cheeseFridge: 1–2 weeks
- RicottaFridge: up to 2 weeks sealed, 5–7 days opened
- KefirFridge: 2–3 weeks
- HummusFridge: up to 2 weeks sealed, 4–7 days opened
- TofuFridge: up to 2 weeks sealed, 3–5 days opened (in fresh water)
Meat & poultry
- Raw chickenFridge: 1–2 days
- Ground beefFridge: 1–2 days
- SteakFridge: 3–5 days
- Pork chopsFridge: 3–5 days
- Ground turkeyFridge: 1–2 days
- BaconFridge: up to 2 weeks sealed, 1 week opened
- Sliced hamFridge: 3–5 days opened, about 2 weeks sealed
- Deli turkeyFridge: 3–5 days opened
- Hot dogsFridge: up to 2 weeks sealed, 1 week opened
- Fresh sausagesFridge: 1–2 days (raw); 1–2 weeks (smoked, sealed)
- SalamiFridge: about 6 weeks sealed, 3 weeks opened
- LambFridge: 3–5 days
Fish & seafood
Bread & bakery
Cupboard staples
- RiceFridge: 4–6 days (cooked)
- Brown riceFridge: 6–12 months (dry); 4–6 days (cooked)
- PastaFridge: 3–5 days (cooked)
- FlourFridge: 6–12 months (whole wheat)
- SugarCupboard: indefinitely
- OatsCupboard: 1–2 years
- Dried beans and lentilsFridge: 3–5 days (cooked)
- Canned beans and vegetablesFridge: 3–4 days once opened
- Peanut butterFridge: 3–4 more months
- HoneyCupboard: indefinitely
- Olive oilCupboard: 18–24 months unopened, 3–6 months opened
- NutsFridge: 6 months