Shelf Life
All pantry items should be stored in an airtight container. Unopened items may be stored in their original containers. A clear, clean container with an airtight cover should be used. Pantry items should be stored on a dry shelf where they are not exposed to direct sunlight.
* denotes refrigeration after opening
| Pantry Items | Unopened |
Opened |
| Baking Powder | 18 months |
6 months |
| Baking Soda | 2 years |
6 months |
| Buscuit Mix | 12-18 months |
12-18 months |
| Bread | 3-5 days |
3-5 days |
| Brownie Mix | 1 year |
1 year |
| Cake Mix | 1 year |
1 year |
| Canned Fruits & Vegetables | 1 year |
3 days* |
| Cereal | 6-12 months |
2-3 months |
| Chili Powder | 2 years |
2 years |
| Chocolate, Semi-sweet | 1-2 years |
1-2 years |
| Chocolate, Syrup | 2 years |
2 years* |
| Chocolate, Unsweetened | 18 months |
18 months |
| Cocoa | Indefinitely |
1 year |
| Coffee, Ground | 2 years |
2 weeks |
| Coffee, Instant | 1 year |
2 weeks |
| Coffee Creamer, Powder | 6 months |
6 months |
| Cornmeal | 1 year |
1 year |
| Cornstarch | 18 months |
18 months |
| Crackers | 6 months |
6 months |
| Extracts | 6 months |
6 months |
| Fish, Canned | 12-18 months |
2-3 days* |
| Flour | 6-8 months |
6-8 months |
| Gelatin/Pudding | 12-18 months |
2-3 days* |
| Herbs & Spices | 6-12 months |
6-12 months |
| Honey | 1 year |
1 year |
| Jams, Jellies, Preserves | 1 year |
6 months* |
| Juice, Canned-Citrus | 6 months |
3 days* |
| Juice, Canned-Non Citrus | 1 year |
3 days* |
| Marshmallow Creme | 4 months |
4 months |
| Marshmallows | 3 months |
3 months |
| Mayonnaise, Store Bought | 4 months |
2 months* |
| Meats & Poultry, Canned | 12-18 months |
2 days* |
| Milk, Canned | 1 year |
2-3 weeks* |
| Milk, Nonfat Dry | 6 months |
6 months |
| Molasses | 1 year |
6 months |
| Nuts | 8 months |
8 months |
| Olives | 1 year |
1 year* |
| Pancake Mixes | 6 months |
6 months |
| Paprika | 8 months |
8 months |
| Pasta/Noodles, Dried | 2 years |
2 years |
| Peanut Butter | 6-9 months |
6-9 months |
| Peppers, Pickled | 1 year |
1 year* |
| Popcorn, Unpopped | 1-2 years |
1-2 years |
| Potatoes, Instant | 18 months |
18 months |
| Rice, White | 2 years |
2 years |
| Salad Dressing | 10 months |
3 months* |
| Salt | Indefinitely |
Indefinitely |
| Sauces, Condiments, Relishes | 1 year |
4-6 months* |
| Shortening | 8 months |
6 months |
| Sodas | 3 months |
|
| Stuffing Mix | 6 months |
6 months |
| Sugar, Brown | 6 months |
6 months |
| Sugar, Confectioners | 18 months |
18 months |
| Sugar, Granulated | 2 years |
2 years |
| Sugar, Substitutes | 2-3 years |
2-3 years |
| Syrups | 1 year |
1 year* |
| Tea Bags | 18 months |
18 months |
| Tea, Loose | 2 years |
2 years |
| Tomato Sauce/Paste | 12-18 months |
2-3 days* |
| Vinegar | Indefinitely |
Indefinitely |
Fresh meat should be stored tightly wrapped to prevent it from drying out. If possible, leave the meat wrapped in original packaging.
Meat to be frozen should be removed from original packaging and rewrapped tightly using moisture proof heavy plastic wrap, foil, freezer bags or freezer paper.
| Fresh Meat | Refrigerator |
Frozen |
| Roast, Beef & Pork | 3-5 days |
6-12 months |
| Steaks, Beef | 3-5 days |
6-12 months |
| Chops, Pork & Lamb | 3-5 days |
4-8 months |
| Ground & Stew Meat | 1-2 days |
3-4 months |
| Sausage, Pork | 1-2 days |
1-2 months |
| Meat Substitute - Tofu | 4-5 days |
6-8 weeks |
Processed meat should be stored in its original packaging. After opening rewrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil or airtight bag or container.
Processed meat to be frozen should be left in original packaging and overwrapped tightly using moisture proof heavy plastic wrap, foil, freezer bags or freezer paper.
| Processed Meat | Refrigerator |
Frozen |
| Ham, Whole | 7 days |
1-2 months |
| Ham, Half or Slices | 3-5 days |
1-2 months |
| Ham, Canned, Opened | 3-5 days |
|
| Bacon | 7 days |
1-2 months |
| Corned Beef | 5-7 days |
1 month |
| Luncheon Meats, Opened | 3-5 days |
1-2 months |
| Luncheon Meats, Unopened | 14 days |
1-2 months |
| Pepperoni, Sliced | 2-3 weeks |
|
| Weiners, Opened | 7 days |
1-2 months |
| Weiners, Unopened | 14 days |
1-2 months |
| Sausage, Smoked | 7 days |
1-2 months |
Cooked meats either cooked by itselt or with other ingredients should be stored in a well sealed container to prevent it from absorbing odors.
| Cooked Meats | Refrigerator |
Frozen |
| Casseroles, Meat & Gravy | 3-4 days |
2-3 months |
| Soups & Stews | 3-4 days |
2-3 months |
| Broth | 1-2 days |
2-3 months |
Poultry should be stored in the coldest section of the refrigerator, Rewrap if any juices are leaking from the original package.
Poulty to be frozen should be removed from original packaging and wrapped tightly using moisture proof heavy plastic wrap, foil, freezer bags or freezer paper.
| Poultry Fresh | Refrigerator |
Frozen |
| Chicken & Turkey, Whole | 1-2 days |
1 year |
| Chicken & Turkey, Pieces | 1-2 days |
9 months |
| Ground Turkey | 1-2 days |
3-4 months |
| Giblets | 1-2 days |
3-4 months |
| Ducks & Geese | 1-2 days |
6 months |
Poultry either cooked by itselt or with other ingredients should be stored in a well sealed container to prevent it from absorbing odors.
| Poultry Cooked | Refrigerator |
Frozen |
| Casseroles, Meat & Gravy | 3-4 days |
3-6 months |
| Pieces (without broth) | 3-4 days |
2-4 months |
| Fried Chicken | 3-4 days |
3-4 months |
| Chicken Nuggets | 1-2 days |
1-3 months |
Rinse the fish with cold salt water and dry with a paper towel. Wrap with wax paper or plastic wrap and place in a sealed plastic bag. Place the bag on a pan of ice. Place the the fish on ice in the refrigerator.
To freeze fish rinse with cold salt water and place the fish in a double plastic bag or a milk container and fill with cold water. Make sure the fish is completely covered and seal.
| Fish & Shellfish | Refrigerator |
Frozen |
| Steaks, Fillets & Shucked Seafood | 1-2 days |
3-4 months |
| Seafood in the Shell | 1-2 days |
3-6 months |
| Cooked Fish | 3-4 days |
4-6 months |
| Smoked Fish | 2 weeks |
2 months |
| Vegetables | Preparation |
Refrigerated |
| Canned Vegetables, Opened | Store in airtight container.Do not leave in open can. |
3 days |
| Artichokes | Sprinkle with a little water and place in an airtight plastic bag. |
1 week |
| Asparagus | Do not wash until ready to use. Wrap in a paper towel and place in a plastic bag that is not airtight, or upright in a jar or glass containg 1/2 inch of cold water. |
3-5 days |
| Beans, Lima | Shell and store in perforated plastic bag. |
3-6 days |
| Beans, Snap | Leave whole and unwashed. Store in perforated plastic bag in the warmest part of refrigerator |
3-6 days |
| Beets | Leave on roots and trim stems to 1-2 inches. Brush off dirt but do not wash. Allow to dry. Place in a plastic bag with a moist paper towel. |
4-8 weeks |
| Broccoli | Store in a perforated bag. |
5-7 days |
| Brussel Sprouts | Trip damaged leaves and store in a perforated bag. |
5-7 days |
| Cabbage | Remove loose leaves and place in a plastic bag |
4-8 weeks |
| Carrots | Trim tops, leaving 1/2 to 1 inch in length and clean dirt from roots. Wrap in a paper towel and place in a plastic bag. |
1-3 months |
| Cauliflower | Do not wash. Put in a perforated bag. |
10-14 days |
| Celery | Wrap with a damp paper towel and then in aluminum foil. |
3-4 weeks |
| Corn | Store with husks on. |
3 days |
| Cucumber | Wrap with plastic wrap. |
10-12 days |
| Endive | Wash leaves, remove excess moisture by shaking and tie leaves together. Place in plastic bag. |
2-3 weeks |
| Fennel | Store in plastic bag. |
6-7 days |
| Kale | Blot with paper towel to remove moisture. Store in a perforated bag. |
7-10 days |
| Kohlrabi | Trim roots and stems and place in a perforated bag. |
2-3 weeks |
| Leeks | Blot with paper towel to remove moisture. Wrap with plastic |
1-2 weeks |
| Lettuce, Head | Do not wash until ready to use. Remove core and wrap with a damp paper towel and place in a plastic bag. |
10-12 days |
| Lettuce, Leaf | Wash leaves and shake off excess water. Layer leaves between paper towels and place in plastic bag. |
10-12 days |
| Mushrooms | Place in a single layer on a shallow tray or plate. Cover with a damp paper towel and place in a paper bag. leaving the bag open. |
2-3 days |
| Okra | Store in a plastic bag and store in the warmest area or refrigerator |
5-7 days |
| Onions | Store in mesh bag or basket. Store in an area with good air circulation. |
1-3 months |
| Parsnips | Store in a perforated plastic bag. |
1-2 months |
| Peas, Unshelled | Store in a perforated plastic bag. |
5-6 days |
| Peas, Shelled | Store in a plastic bag. |
5-6 days |
| Peppers | Do not wash. Wrap in a paper towel or place in a paper bag. |
1-2 weeks |
| Potatoes | Store in a well ventilated box or basket. Place in a cool moist area. Do not refrigerate. |
2-4 months |
| Radishes | Trim off leaves and store in a perforated bag. |
2-3 weeks |
| Spinach | Remove damaged leaves, wash in cold water and drain well. Wrap in paper towels and store in a plastic bag. |
2-3 days |
| Squash, Summer | Store in a perorated plastic bag. Do not wash until ready to use. |
1 week |
| Squash, Winter | Store whole in a cool. dry place. Do not wash until ready to use. If cut wrap in plastic and store in refrigerator for up to 1 week. |
2-3 months unrefrigerated |
| Swiss Chard | Store unwashed in a open or perforated plastic bag. If leaves are damp, pat dry with paper towels. |
2-4 days |
| Tomatoes, Ripe | Store at room temperature with stems down. |
5-7 days unrefrigerated |
| Tomatoes, Green | Wrap each in newspaper and store with stems down at room temperature. |
2-5 weeks unrefrigerated |
| Turnips | Do not wash and trim leaves off. Store in a perforated plastic bag. |
1-3 weeks |