We’re big on eliminating food waste over here at Misfits Market, and a few ways to do just that is to ensure that you’re properly storing your fresh fruits and veggies, using food scraps in new ways, and storing leftovers so they don’t go to waste. That’s why we compiled this handy guide—so you can learn the best ways to store those leftovers, both cooked and otherwise, in the fridge and freezer so you can get the most out of your tasty food. (And, save some money for good measure.)
PS, the USDA recommends storing perishable foods within 2 hours of coming out of the fridge or oven in airtight containers.
Check out our easy-to-follow leftovers chart:
Bread, Biscuits, and Rolls
- Fridge: 2-3 weeks
- Freezer: 3-5 months
Cheese, Hard
- Fridge: 3-4 weeks
- Freezer: 6 months
Cheese, Soft
- Fridge: 1-2 weeks
- Freezer: 6 months
Dairy Milk
- Fridge: 1-2 weeks
- Freezer: 3 months
Deli Meat
- Fridge: 3-5 days
- Freezer: 1 month
Ground Meat, Cooked
- Fridge: 3-4 days
- Freezer: 2 months
Ground Meat, Raw
- Fridge: 3-5 days
- Freezer: Up to 12 months
Poultry, Cooked
- Fridge: 3-4 days
- Freezer: 2-3 months (plain), 6 months (if covered in gravy or broth)
Poultry, Raw
- Fridge: 1-2 days
- Freezer: 9 months-1 year
Seafood, Cooked
- Fridge: 3-4 days
- Freezer: 3 months
Seafood, Raw
- Fridge: 1-2 days
- Freezer: 3-8 months
Soup and Stew
- Fridge: 3-4 days
- Freezer: Up to 3 months
Takeout
- Fridge: 3-4 days
- Freezer: 1-2 months
Yogurt
- Fridge: 1-2 weeks
- Freezer: 1-2 months
Keep reading: How Long Thanksgiving Leftovers Last