How Long Meat Can Last in the Freezer

Freezing food will prevent it from going bad, but what is the optimum shelf life for frozen meats, veggies, fruits and other common foods? To avoid freezer burn and a general decline in quality, aim to buy only as much food as you can use in a reasonable amount of time. What's reasonable? It depends on the food. Read below for more details.

The Shelf Life of Frozen Meat

Depending on the type of meat you're freezing (rabbit, pork, ham), it can last anywhere from one month to one year. See below for specifics. No matter the duration, you'll want to package your meat well. As a general rule, if you're planning to use it within a couple of months, simply place the meat in the freezer in its original packaging. If you are planning to freeze it for longer than a couple of months, you'll want to wrap it in another layer of aluminum foil or freezer paper or place the original contents in a sturdy zippered plastic bag, or use a vacuum sealer. In either case, be sure to label the package as to its contents and the date it was frozen. 

Sources: USDA, National Center for Food Preservation, Food Marketing Institute

Freezing Milk and Other Dairy Products

Freezing milk isn't common, but it's a perfectly safe way to preserve extra milk. Be sure to remove about a cup from a gallon container (or the equivalent from a smaller container) to allow for expansion as the liquid freezes. Buttermilk can be frozen in ice cube trays, as can cracked and beaten eggs. Hard and semi-hard cheese freeze well, unlike soft cheeses and cream cheese. 

Sources: USDA, National Center for Food Preservation, Food Marketing Institute

Freezing Leftovers

Generous leftovers from a nice meal are a shame to waste and very easy to preserve in your freezer. As with meat, you'll want to package everything carefully and tightly in close-fitting containers or plastic bags. Remember to label everything with a contents description and a date. Great candidates for freezing include soups, stews, casseroles, cooked meats and fish, and cooked beans, rice, and pasta. Dishes that won't fare well in the freezer include dairy-rich foods such as cream sauces and custards, as well as salads of any kind.

Sources: USDA, National Center for Food Preservation, Food Marketing Institute

Freezing Baked Goods and Nuts

Most baked goods freeze well, particularly if they are still fresh when popped into the freezer. A full (or nearly full) loaf of bread can be sliced before freezing, allowing you to remove just the number of slices desired. Put them right into the toaster. Wrapped well, unfrosted cakes stay fresh for up to four months. Cookies are also an excellent candidate for freezing. 

Sources: USDA, National Center for Food Preservation, Food Marketing Institute

Freezing Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables are excellent candidates for freezing. If they're frozen quickly, they retain many of their original nutrients. Frozen vegetables slip easily into soups and stews or right into a roasting pan alongside meat. Add frozen fruits directly to smoothies, sauces, and glazes. 

Sources: USDA, National Center for Food Preservation, Food Marketing Institute