Proper Storage of Various Foods

I think a common problem for many people, myself included, is that they end up throwing out lots of the foods that they buy because it goes bad before they get to use it.  Well, I decided to try to help myself learn how to save a little money by learning how long I can store different foods.  I learned lots while researching this and decided to share what I learned with you.  Hopefully you will find this useful and be able to save money as you throw away less food.

Apples can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2-4 weeks. They can be refrigerated for 1-2 months. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 8-12 months.

Bananas can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2-7 days. They can be refrigerated for 5-9 days. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 2-3 months.

Only store cantaloupes on a counter or in the pantry until they are ripe. They can be refrigerated for 1 week. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 8-12 months.

Grapes can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 3-5 days. They can be refrigerated for 7-10 days. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 3-5 months.

Lemons can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2-4 weeks. They can be refrigerated for 1-2 months. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 3-4 months.

Only store peaches on a counter or in the pantry until they are ripe. They can be refrigerated for 2-5 days. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 8-12 months.

Strawberries can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 1-2 days. They can be refrigerated for 5-7 days. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 6-8 months.

Broccoli can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2 days. It can be refrigerated for 7-14 days. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 8-12 months.

Carrots can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for up to 4 days. They can be refrigerated for 4-5 weeks. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 8-12 months.

Cucumbers can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 1-3 days. They can be refrigerated for 1 week. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 8-12 months.

Green beans can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 1 day, though this is not recommended. They can be refrigerated for 1 week. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 8-12 months. (When freezing green beans, I like to blanch them first by boiling them for a few minutes. Then I freeze them individually on a baking sheet lined with wax paper or foil before putting them in a ziploc bag as shown in the pictures below.)

Lettuce can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 1 day, though this is not recommended. It can be refrigerated for 1 week. DO NOT FREEZE LETTUCE.

Potatoes can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 1 month. They can be refrigerated for 2 weeks. DO NOT FREEZE POTATOES, unless they are prepared in a recipe that says they can be frozen. Some examples are: Twice Baked Potatoes (without green onions), Mashed Potatoes, Tater Tots, French Fries, and Hashbrowns.

Tomatoes can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 1 month. They can be refrigerated for 2 weeks. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 8-12 months.

Butter can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 10 days. It can be refrigerated for 1-3 months. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 6-9 months.

Hard cheeses can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 1-3 months. Soft cheeses can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for a few hours. Both hard and soft cheeses can be refrigerated for 2-4 months. If stored in the freezer, they can be good for up to 6-8 months.

Eggs can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for a few hours. They can be refrigerated for 3-4 weeks. DO NOT FREEZE EGGS.

Milk can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for a few hours. It can be refrigerated for 5-7 days. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 1 month.

Yogurt can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for a few hours. It can be refrigerated for 2-3 weeks. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 1-2 months.

Bacon can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2 hours. It can be refrigerated for 2 weeks. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 4 months.

Bologna can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2 hours. It can be refrigerated for 1-2 weeks. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 2-3 months.

Chicken can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2 hours. It can be refrigerated for 1-2 days. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 1 year.

Fish can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2 hours. It can be refrigerated for 1-2 days. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 6-9 months.

Ham can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2 hours. It can be refrigerated for 1 week. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 6 months.

Hamburger can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2 hours. It can be refrigerated for 1-2 days. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 6-8 months.

Steak can only be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 2 hours. It can be refrigerated for 1-2 days. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 6-8 months.

Bread can be stored on a counter or in the pantry for 5-7 days. It can be refrigerated for 1-2 weeks. If stored in the freezer, it can be good for up to 2-3 months.

Honey can be stored either on the counter, in a pantry, in the freezer, or in the fridge forever, though the fridge is not recommended.

Ketchup can be stored either on the counter, in a pantry, in the fridge for 1 year. DO NOT FREEZE KETCHUP.

If unopened, mayonnaise can be stored on the counter or in the pantry of 2-3 months, or in the fridge for 1 year. If opened, mayonnaise can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 months. DO NOT FREEZE MAYONNAISE.

Regular soda can be stored on the counter or in the pantry for 6-9 months. Diet soda can only be stored on the counter or in the fridge for 3-5 months. If unopened, soda can be refrigerated for 6-9 months. Once opened, it can only be refrigerated for 2-5 days. DO NOT FREEZE SODA.

Most leftovers can be refrigerated for 4 or 5 days, except for sandwiches which can only be kept for 1 or 2 days.

Hope this is helpful as you store your foods before eating them.