Fill-Up-Your-Freezer Storage Guide

Buy in bulk to save money, freeze with ease, and keep food safe and full of flavor.

Frozen Storage Containersenlarge

Wine Selections

Here are several wines that are good partners for Thanksgiving food:

With grocery prices at an all-time high, save money by buying in bulk, or stock up with supermarket specials, then freeze the items that you won't be using right away.

Wrap completely-cooled food in heavy-duty plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place in zip-top freezer bags or air-tight containers to preserve the texture and flavor.

Here's our guide to how long you can store a variety of foods in the freezer and maintain quality.

Meats

Bacon, raw = 1 month
Sausage, raw = 1-2 months
Ham, fully cooked = 1-2 months
Luncheon meats, unopened = 1-2 months
Cooked meats, casseroles = 2-3 months
Cooked soups/stews = 2-3 months
Ground beef, veal, lamb, pork = 3-4 months
Chops = 4- 6 months
Roasts = 4-12 months
Steaks = 6-12 months

Poultry

Ground chicken, turkey = 3-4 months
Cooked, plain = 4 months
Cooked poultry, casseroles = 4-6 months
Cooked, covered with broth, gravy = 6 months
Chicken or turkey, pieces = 9 months
Chicken or turkey, whole = 12 months

Fish and Shellfish

Fish, fatty = 2-3 months
Live clams, crab, lobster, mussels, oysters = 2-3 months
Shellfish, cooked = 3 months
Shrimp, scallops, shucked clams, mussels, oysters = 3-6 months
Fish, cooked = 4-6 months
Fish, lean = 6 months

 Dairy

Yogurt = 1-2 months
Ice Cream = 2 months
Buttermilk = 3 months
Milk = 3 months
Cream, half-and-half = 4 months
Cheese, hard, unopened = 6 months
Cheese, soft, unopened = 6 months
Butter = 6-9 months

 Fruit and Vegetables

Vegetables, purchased frozen = 8 months
Juices, unopened = 8-12 months
Fruit juice concentrates = 12 months
Vegetables, home-frozen = 10 months

Breads and Desserts

Pie, baked =1-2 months
Cake, angel food, chiffon, sponge = 2 months
Cheesecake = 2-3 months
Quick bread, baked = 2-3 months
Yeast bread and rolls = 3-6 months
Cake, yellow or pound = 6 months
Cookies, baked = 8-12 months

For more information on storing food in the freezer, see these articles from Cooking Light:
Homemade Baby Food Storage
Spring Clean Your Frig

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