How long cooked and raw food really keeps at 40°F / 4°C, where to put it in the fridge, and the signs that mean throw it out. Timelines sourced from USDA-FSIS.
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A single reference chart for how long meat, seafood, dairy, cooked leftovers, produce and pantry staples actually last in the fridge, freezer and pantry, sourced line by line from USDA and FDA guidance.
8 min / Updated 24 Aug 2026
How long chicken really lasts in the fridge and freezer, raw, cooked, rotisserie and thawed, with USDA storage times and how to tell when it's gone bad.
6 min / Updated 24 Aug 2026
How long ground beef, steak and roast really last in the fridge and freezer, raw and cooked, with USDA storage times and how to tell when beef has gone bad.
6 min / Updated 24 Aug 2026
How long raw and cooked turkey and pork actually last in the fridge and freezer, plus why pork's safe cooking temperature is lower than turkey's, sourced from USDA FSIS guidance.
6 min / Updated 24 Aug 2026
How long cooked rice and quinoa really last in the fridge and freezer, why reheating won't fix rice that sat out too long, and how to tell when either has gone bad.
6 min / Updated 24 Aug 2026
How long cooked pasta, fresh pasta and mashed potatoes actually last in the fridge and freezer, sourced from USDA and FoodSafety.gov, with storage steps and answers to the most common questions.
5 min / Updated 24 Aug 2026
How long raw, cooked and smoked salmon actually last in the fridge and freezer, sourced from USDA and FDA guidance, plus how to store it and tell when it has gone bad.
6 min / Updated 24 Aug 2026
How long beans, tofu, hummus and cooked vegetables actually last in the fridge and freezer, sourced from USDA guidance and manufacturer storage recommendations, with practical steps and answers to the most common plant-based meal prep questions.
7 min / Updated 24 Aug 2026