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How Long Does Food Last in The Freezer: An Ultimate Guide to Follow

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A freezer works like a pause button for food. Food in the freezer doesn’t deteriorate easily, and most bacteria cannot grow while it’s frozen. But we obviously can’t keep food in the freezer indefinitely. So how long does food last in the freezer? Well, it generally depends on the type of food and the temperature of the freezer. 

While freezing food is convenient, we should also focus on Food Safety.  This guide contains the following information on how long does food last in the freezer along with the following.

Table of Contents

How long does frozen food last in the freezer?

Storing or eating frozen foods past their specific deadlines isn’t necessarily dangerous. However, flavours and textures will start to deteriorate after a certain period.  Nevertheless, you can freeze pre-packaged food up to the ‘use by’ date. Also, you should freeze leftovers and home-made goods as soon as possible. As a rule of thumb, frozen food can be kept for three months in a standard freezer before showing signs of freezer burn. The times given below are established based on a freezer set at 0° Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) or below. (Source: Food Safety)

Different types of food you can keep in the freezer:

1. Bacon and sausage

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Bacon1 month

Raw sausage, from chicken,

turkey, pork, or beef

1 to 2 months

Fully cooked sausage, from chicken,

turkey, pork, or beef

1 to 2 months
Sausage purchased frozen

1-2 months from date of purchase

2. Hamburger, ground meats and ground poultry

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)

Hamburger, minced beef,

turkey, chicken, other poultry,

veal, pork, lamb, and

mixtures of them

3 to 4 months

3. Fresh beef, veal, lamb, and pork

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Steaks4 to 12 months
Chops4 to 12 months
Roasts4 to 12 months

4. Ham

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Fresh, uncured, uncooked6 months
Fresh, uncured, cooked3 to 4 months

Cured, cook-before-eating,

uncooked

3 to 4 months

Fully-cooked, vacuum-sealed

at the plant, unopened

1 to 2 months
Cooked, store-wrapped, whole1 to 2 months

Cooked, store-wrapped,

slices, half, or spiral cut

1 to 2 months
Country ham, cooked1 month

Unopened canned food

labelled “Keep Refrigerated,” 

Do not freeze

Open canned food, shelf-stable

(Note: An unopened canned ham,

shelf-stable can be stored at

room temperature for up to 2 years.)

1 to 2 months

Prosciutto, Parma or Serrano

ham cuts, dry Italian or Spanish type

1 month

5. Poultry

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Chicken or turkey, whole1 year
Chicken or turkey, pieces9 months
Chicken or turkey, cooked4 to 6 months

6. Eggs

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Raw eggs in the shellDo not freeze in the shell. Beat yolks and whites together, then freeze.

Raw egg whites and yolks

(Note: Yolks do not freeze well)

12 months

Raw egg when accidentally frozen in the shell

(Note: Throw away any frozen eggs with a broken shell)

Keep frozen, then

refrigerate to thaw

Hard-cooked eggsDo not freeze
Egg substitutes, liquid, unopenedDo not freeze
Egg substitutes, liquid, openedDo not freeze
Egg substitutes, frozen, unopened12 months
Egg substitutes, frozen, openedDo not freeze
Eggnog, commercial6 months
Eggnog, home-madeDo not freeze
Pies: Pumpkin or pecanAfter baking, 1 to 2 months
Pies: Custard and chiffonDo not freeze
Quiché with fillingAfter baking, 2 to 3 months

7. Hot dogs

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Opened package1 to 2 months
Unopened package1 to 2 months

8. Luncheon meat/ cold cuts

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)

Opened package

or deli-sliced

1 to 2 months
Unopened package1 to 2 months

9. Soups and stews

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Vegetable or meat added2 to 3 months

10. Salad

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)

Egg, chicken, ham, tuna,

and macaroni salads

Does not freeze well

11. Leftovers

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Cooked meat or poultry2 to 6 months
Chicken nuggets or patties1 to 3 months
Pizza1 to 2 months
Meat casseroles, cooked3 months

12. Fish, seafood

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Fish fillets2 months
Raw shrimp6 months
Shellfish (shucked)3 months

Other foods

TypeFreezer (0° F or below)
Yogurt2 months
Ice cream and sorbet2 months
Fruit pies, unbaked9 months
Fruits6 to 12 months
Cookies, baked or dough3 months
Tofu5 months
Butter6 to 9 months
Bread and cake3 months

How long does canned food last?

Canned food is a healthy, sustainable and cost-effective option. canned food doesn’t have an expiration date. Instead, they have two main labels on Cans – the ‘best-by’ or ‘use-by’ date. Both of these dates are recommended by the food manufacturer. Here is what these terms mean –

‘Best-By’ Date: It is the suggested time to use the product for the best quality or taste.

‘Use-By’ Date: It refers to the final days that the product will be at its peak in terms of flavour and texture. The quality of the food will start deteriorating after this date, but it’ll still be edible.

When stored properly, canned foods are usually good for several years. It’s mainly about quality when you have a ‘best-by’ o ‘’use-by’ date.

How long does cooked food last in the fridge?

Usually cooked food should not be kept in the fridge for more than 3 to 4 days to avoid food poisoning. Moreover, you should throw away all perishable foods that are opened or prepared after 7 days, maximum. If you want to keep them for longer periods, you can keep them in the freezer.

How long does food last in the freezer without power?

By now, you know how long you can keep foods in the freezer. But what happens when there is a power cut? Especially for longer periods? So how long will foods remain safe without power?

The answer is approximately 48 hours when the freezer is full. And if the freezer is half-full, it will be good for about 24 hours. Also, keep the freezer door closed as much as possible. This will help maintain its cold temperature.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Answers to some frequently asked questions regarding keeping food in the freezer are given below –

1. When should you throw out frozen food?

You should throw out any food that has an unusual odour, colour, or texture. Check to see if the food is still at 40 °F or below. If not, it is safer to discard that food. You can use an appliance thermometer in your freezer to check the temperature. You should also throw out food if you suspect food contamination.

2. Can you safely refreeze food that has started to thaw?

Yes, you can. But only if it still has ice crystals or if the temperature is 40° F or below. Otherwise, it would be best if you threw it out. You can safely refreeze or cook frozen food containing ice crystals or if the food is at 40 °F or below.

3. Does food go bad in the freezer?

Technically, no, you can keep them indefinitely. On the grounds that your freezer is in good condition and plugged in, frozen foods will not expire. However, it will affect the taste and texture of food.

4. Can old frozen food make you sick?

Frozen food won’t make you sick if it was frozen and defrosted properly. But if you have doubts, it is better to throw them away. And if you want to eat it, then know how to reheat food safely.

5. Are ice crystals on frozen food bad?

Frozen foods have a small layer of ice crystals on the surface. It is entirely is normal and won’t affect the food’s flavour. However, it is a sign that the food will not taste fresh.

6. Can you eat food with freezer burn?

You can eat food with freezer burn, but the texture and taste might not be up to your liking. When water molecules escape from frozen food, oxygen molecules can also seep in. The oxygen molecules can dull the colour and alter the flavour of your frozen food.

7. Can freezer burn to make you sick?

No. While it’s not harmful to eat, freezer burn does affect flavour and texture. And not in a good way! Although the food might not be very appealing, and the taste might not be up to your standards. Besides that, eating food with freezer burn does not put you at risk for any food-borne diseases.

8. How to get rid of freezer burn?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to reverse freezer burn. What you can do is – remove the affected portion before heating or cooking. To prevent freezer burn, you can reduce the food’s exposure to air.

9. How do you know if frozen food has gone bad?

Never taste food to see if it is good to eat. Because foods that look and smell perfectly all right can still be unsafe to eat. You can tell if the food is bad by the following signs. 

  • Change in texture
  • Smells weird or different
  • Package is ripped, or container is broken
  • You can’t recall when you froze it
  • Defrosted food is sticky or slimy

If you have more questions on Food Safety, take this course given below. This course will give you comprehensive knowledge of food safety, contamination, hygiene and more.

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Beware of The 'Danger Zone'

Knowing how to defrost food is essential when you decide to freeze foods. The proper defrosting technique helps avoid food poisoning and various contamination. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) states that most harmful bacteria grow at temperatures above 8° C and below 63° C. This is known as the ‘Danger Zone’ for microbial growth in food. That’s why the safest way to defrost food is in the fridge overnight. By defrosting in the fridge, it eliminates the risk of being in the ‘Danger Zone’. Ideally, your fridge should be 5° C or below because some bacteria can grow at temperatures lower than 8° C.

Closing notes

Food Safety is of paramount importance for safeguarding our health. Many of us prefer frozen foods because of their cost-effectiveness and due to the lack of time. So it’s good to have enough knowledge about it before getting food poisoning or any other illness. Being conscious about Food Safety can help us lead a better and healthier life.

October 25, 2023

 

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