Product

Recommended
Storage Time

Fresh Meat and Poultry (raw)

Beef roasts

9 to 12 months

Beef steaks

6 to 9 months

Ground beef, veal, lamb

3 to 4 months

Ground pork

1 to 3 months

Ground poultry

3 to 4 months

Pork and veal roasts, chops

4 to 6 months

Lamb roasts, chops

6 to 9 months

Poultry, whole

1 year

Poultry parts

6 to 9 months

Variety meats (giblets,
tongue, kidneys, liver, heart, etc.)

3 to 4 months

Cured or Processed Meats

Bacon

1 month

Corned beef

1 to 2 months

Ham

2 months

Hot dogs, lunch meat

1 to 2 months

Sausage

1 to 2 months

Cooked Meats and Combinations

Casseroles

4 months

Home-cooked plain meat & poultry

2 to 3 months

Meat in broth or gravy

2 to 3 months

Poultry in broth or gravy

6 months

Fried chicken

4 months

Stews

3 to 4 months

Chicken nuggets or patties

1 to 3 months

Meat pies

2 to 3 months

Prepared dinners

2 to 3 months

TV dinners

2 to 6 months