Food Storage Time Chart
How long ingredients are safe to store at room temperature, in refrigerator, or freezer. Based on USDA FSIS Cold Food Storage Chart.
👆 Select an item to see storage details
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is raw chicken safe in fridge?▾
Raw chicken: 2 days in fridge (32-40°F), or 12 months in freezer (0°F). Cooked chicken: 4 days fridge, 3 months freezer. Room temp: max 2 hours.
Is leftover rice safe to reheat?▾
Safe if handled correctly: cool within 2 hours after cooking, refrigerate (max 5 days), reheat until steaming (>165°F). DANGER: rice left at room temp can grow Bacillus cereus = 'fried rice syndrome' food poisoning.
Should potatoes go in fridge or pantry?▾
PANTRY. Refrigerator converts potato starch to sugar, causing off-sweet taste when cooked. Store in cool, dark, dry place — lasts 4 weeks. Same for onions: don't refrigerate.
Mold on cheddar cheese — can I use it?▾
For HARD cheese (cheddar, parmesan): cut 1 inch from mold area, rest is safe. For SOFT cheese (mozzarella, ricotta): mold = discard entirely (mold has spread throughout).
Should I wash eggs before storing?▾
DO NOT wash before storing — natural bloom layer protects from bacteria. Wash only when using. Unwashed eggs: room temp 1 week OK, fridge 5 weeks.
How long does rice keep? How to prevent weevils?▾
Rice keeps 1 year at room temp. Weevil prevention tips: store with bay leaves or dried chili. For bulk storage: freeze first 24 hours to kill weevil eggs, then transfer to regular container.
What's the difference: unopened UHT milk vs opened?▾
Unopened UHT: lasts 6 weeks at room temp until expiration (high sterilization prevents bacterial growth in package). AFTER opening: oxygen enters, becomes same as fresh milk = 5-7 days fridge.