Meat & Poultry Shelf Life & Storage Times
Fresh and cooked meat, poultry, and ground meats.
37 foods Per-food evidence status Fridge, freezer & pantry
Choose the exact meat and state: raw poultry, ground meat and cooked leftovers do not share one storage interval. Check the food page for the matching row, handling conditions and source evidence before planning storage.
Storage references for popular meats; check source status on each food page:
| Food | Typical storage |
|---|---|
| Chicken (raw) | Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 9–12 months |
| Ground beef (raw) | Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 3–4 months |
| Turkey (raw) | Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 9–12 months |
| Pork chops (raw) | Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 4–12 months |
| Pork tenderloin (raw) | Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 6–9 months |
| Bacon (raw, unopened) | Fridge 7 days · Freezer 1 month |
| Sausage (raw) | Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 1–2 months |
| Ham (cooked) | Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 2–3 months |
Common questions
- How long can raw chicken stay in the fridge?
- Use the raw-chicken refrigerator row and its stated temperature and handling conditions. Whole chickens and pieces have different freezer quality ranges; those ranges are not discard deadlines. Cooked chicken has a separate food page.
- Can you refreeze thawed meat?
- Meat thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen. Meat thawed in cold water or the microwave should be cooked before refreezing.
All meat & poultry storage times
- Chicken (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 9–12 months
- Ground beef (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 3–4 months
- Turkey (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 9–12 months
- Pork chops (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 4–12 months
- Pork tenderloin (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 6–9 months
- Bacon (raw, unopened) Fridge 7 days · Freezer 1 month
- Sausage (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 1–2 months
- Ham (cooked) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 2–3 months
- Hot dogs (unopened) Fridge 14 days · Freezer 1–2 months
- Lamb (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 9–12 months
- Duck (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 6–9 months
- Steak (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 4–12 months
- Pork ribs (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 4–6 months
- Meatballs (cooked) Fridge 3–4 days · Freezer 2–6 months
- Rotisserie chicken Fridge 3–4 days · Freezer 2–6 months
- Deli turkey (sliced) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 1–2 months
- Veal (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 9–12 months
- Venison (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 9–12 months
- Bison (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 9–12 months
- Corned beef (opened) Fridge 7–10 days · Freezer 2–3 months
- Pepperoni (opened) Fridge 2–3 weeks · Freezer 2–3 months
- Salami (opened) Fridge 2–3 weeks · Freezer 2–3 months
- Prosciutto (opened) Fridge 2–3 months · Freezer 1 month
- Chicken liver (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 3–4 months
- Chicken wings (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 9 months
- Turkey breast (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 9 months
- Deli ham (sliced) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 1–2 months
- Deli roast beef Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 1–2 months
- Bratwurst (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 1–2 months
- Italian sausage (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 1–2 months
- Beef jerky (opened) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 1 year
- Pork shoulder (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 4–12 months
- Beef brisket (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 4–12 months
- Beef stew meat (raw) Fridge 3–5 days · Freezer 9–12 months
- Chicken thighs (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 9 months
- Chicken drumsticks (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 9 months
- Ground turkey (raw) Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 3–4 months
