How Long Does Food Last in the Freezer?
At the optimal temperature of 0°F, many frozen foods can be stored in your freezer indefinitely, though its taste and texture may be affected with time. Freezing foods is an efficient way to make the most of your groceries and to have your family’s favorites on hand for a busy night. Follow this guide to learn how long common foods will remain fresh in the freezer and some tips for freezing your favorite foods.
| TYPE OF FOOD | HOW LONG IT LASTS IN THE FREEZER |
|---|---|
| Uncooked chicken (whole) | Up to 12 months |
| Uncooked chicken (cut into pieces) | Up to 9 months |
| Ground chicken | 3 to 4 months |
| Ground beef | 3 to 4 months |
| Cooked ham, bacon & sausage | 1 to 2 months |
| Uncooked beef & pork | Up to 12 months |
| Bread | 2 to 3 months |
| Oranges | 3 months |
| Berries, bananas, apples, peaches & plums | 9 to 12 months |
| Zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower |
8 to 12 months |
| Soups | 2 to 3 months |
| Fresh crab & lobster | 2 to 4 months |
| Pumpkin pie | 1 to 2 months |
| Frozen casseroles | 3 to 4 months |
| Hot dogs & lunch meat | 1-2 months |
| Leftover frozen pizza | 1-2 months |
What foods cannot be frozen?
Foods that don’t freeze well include fruits and vegetables with high water content, cooked pasta, cooked meat, cream-based products such as sour cream, mayonnaise and gravies and sauces mixed with flour or cornstarch.
What is the temperature danger zone for frozen foods?
According to foodsafety.gov and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the temperature danger zone is a range in which bacteria thrive and can reach harmful levels. The danger zone is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. When thawing frozen foods, it is important to have them pass through this temperature range as quickly as possible.
You can avoid the temperature danger zone by thawing foods in a refrigerator set to under 40 degrees Fahrenheit and reheating them quickly by bringing them to a boil or putting them directly in or on your preheated appliance.
How do I make my food last longer in the freezer?
The most important factor in making sure that your frozen foods remain fresh is ensuring that you have the freezer set at the correct temperature, being careful not to set your freezer too cold.
Some other ways to make food last longer in the freezer include blanching vegetables to stop them from oxidizing in the freezer and storing items like soup in single-serve containers, being careful to remove all air before freezing. Fresh fruit can be frozen on a baking sheet first, and then once frozen, transferred to a different container. This will help ensure that the fruit doesn’t stick together. Also make sure that the fruit is as dry as possible before freezing, to help ensure ice crystals don’t form on it.
What food lasts the longest in the freezer?
Whole chickens or turkey, beef steaks and roasts and eggs out of the shell may last up to one year in the freezer if stored properly.
What are some tips for freezing food?
Freezing is a convenient way to make the most of leftovers or extra food and is also great for meal prepping ahead of time. These useful tips can help you make the most out of your groceries while saving time, too.
Label your containers or freezer bags.
Cool foods in the refrigerator before you freeze them.
Use plastic or tempered glass containers.
Make sure containers and bags are sealed.
Wash and dry fruit before freezing.
Blanch most vegetables before freezing.
Only refreeze food if you are cooking it in between.
Explore Maytag® Freezers
Maytag® freezers are a dependable way to keep your frozen groceries at the right temperature, save money with bulk-shopping trips and have your family’s favorite frozen treats on hand. You can count on Maytag® freezers to get the job done with features like heavy duty sliding baskets and power loss assist on select models.
