Keep meat and poultry in its original packaging in the refrigerator. To freeze, slip the packaging into a resealable freezer bag. If you’re freezing for several months, it’s best to wrap pieces individually in plastic before bagging; this will make them less vulnerable to freezer burn.
Another way to cut the risk of freezer burn is to buy vacuum-packed meats and poultry (which can also last about 2 days longer in the refrigerator). Leave seafood in its original packaging and, if possible, place on a bowl of ice in the refrigerator. However, live shellfish (like clams) should not be put on ice; open or poke holes in the packaging. To freeze seafood, slip the original packaging into a resealable freezer bag.
Seafood
Clams
Refrigerator: 2 days (live in shell); 1 day (shucked)
Freezer: 3 months (shucked); cook after thawing.
Crabmeat, packaged
Refrigerator: 1 month (unopened); 5 days (open)
Freezer: 3 months
Crabs, live whole
Refrigerator: 1 day
Freezer: Do not freeze.
Fish (fatty), fresh such as salmon and mackerel
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: Do not freeze. Fatty fish may become mushy when frozen at home and thawed.
Fish (lean), fresh such as tilapia, flounder, and cod
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 6 months
Fish, frozen
Refrigerator: 2 days (thawed)
Freezer: 6 months
Lobsters, live whole
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: Do not freeze.
Lobster tails, frozen
Refrigerator: 2 days (thawed)
Freezer: 6 months
Mussels
Refrigerator: 2 days (live in shell); 1 day (shucked)
Freezer: 4 months (shucked); cook after thawing.
Oysters
Refrigerator: 2 days (live in shell); 1 day (shucked)
Freezer: 4 months (shucked); cook after thawing.
Scallops
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 3 months; cook after thawing.
Shrimp, cooked
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 3 months
Shrimp, fresh or thawed
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 6 months
Shrimp, frozen
Refrigerator: 2 days (thawed)
Freezer: 6 months
Beef and Lamb
Chops
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Ground meat and premade patties
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 4 months
Roasts and Loins
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Sausage, uncooked
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 2 months
Steaks
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Stew meat
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 4 months
Poultry
Ground meat and premade patties
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 4 months
Pieces
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 6 months
Sausage, uncooked
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 2 months
Whole
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 6 months
Pork
Bacon
Refrigerator: 2 weeks (unopened); 1 week (open)
Freezer: 1 month
Chops
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Ground meat and premade patties
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 4 months
Ham, cooked
Refrigerator: 1 week (whole); 4 days (half); 4 days (steaks)
Freezer: 2 months
Ham, country
Pantry: 3 months (whole)
Refrigerator: 3 months (half)
Freezer: 1 month (half)
Roasts and Loins
Refrigerator: 3 days
Freezer: 6 months
Sausage, uncooked
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 2 months
Stew Meat
Refrigerator: 2 days
Freezer: 4 months