How long does meal prep last?
USDA entries, with each preparation kept separate.
A fridge window is not a safety test.
Cooked leftovers are generally 3–4 days refrigerated under USDA guidance. Raw foods, opened packages and particular prepared foods have their own entries below. Freezer windows concern quality at 0°F / −18°C.
| Food | Refrigerator | Freezer quality | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Genuine" Maple syrup | Indefinitely (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 4 years (general guidance) |
| Aioli | 3–4 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Almond butter | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1 years (general guidance) |
| Almond extract | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (general guidance); 12 months (after opening) |
| Almond oil | 2 years (from purchase) | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase) |
| Almonds | 16 months (from purchase) | 20 months (from purchase) | 6 months (from purchase) |
| Amaranth | No official duration listed | 8 months (general guidance) | 4 months (general guidance) |
| Anchovies | 3–4 days (after opening) | 2 months (general guidance) | 5 years (general guidance) |
| apple | 4–6 weeks (from purchase) | 8 months (general guidance) | 3 weeks (from purchase) |
| Apple cider | 2–3 weeks (general guidance) | Indefinitely (general guidance) | 2–3 days (general guidance) |
| Apple juice | 6 days (general guidance) | 12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Apples | 4–6 weeks (from purchase) | 8 months (general guidance) | 3 weeks (from purchase) |
| Applesauce | 7–10 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | 12–18 months (from purchase); Not Recommended (after opening) |
| Apricots | 2–5 days (general guidance) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Artichokes, whole | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | 1–2 days (from purchase) |
| Arugula | 3–7 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Asparagus | 3–4 days (from purchase) | 5 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| avocado | 3–4 days (general guidance) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Avocado Oil | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase); 6 months (after opening) |
| Avocados | 3–4 days (general guidance) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Baby carrots | 4 weeks (from purchase) | 3 months (general guidance) | 4 days (from purchase) |
| Bacon | 1 weeks (from purchase); 1 weeks (after opening) | 1 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Bacon bits | Package use-by date (after opening) | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase) |
| Bacon grease | 6 months (general guidance) | 12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Bagel | No official duration listed | 3 months (general guidance) | 1–2 days (general guidance) |
| Bagged greens | 3–5 days (general guidance); 2 days (after opening) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Baking powder | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 6–18 months (from purchase); 3–6 months (after opening) |
| Baking soda | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2–3 years (from purchase); 6 months (after opening) |
| Balsamic vinegar | 18 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 3–5 years (from purchase) |
| Bamboo shoots | 2 weeks (from purchase); 5 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| banana | 3 days (general guidance) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Bananas | 3 days (general guidance) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Barbecue sauce | 4 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase) |
| Barley | No official duration listed | 12 months (general guidance) | 6 months (general guidance) |
| Basil | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 12 months (general guidance) |
| Bean sprouts | 5–10 days (from purchase) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Beans | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Beans and peas | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 8 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Beef | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 4–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Beef broth/stock/consommé | 7 days (general guidance); 3–4 days (after opening) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | Package use-by date (general guidance) |
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Choose targets, equipment and exclusions. Get combined groceries, portion counts and a storage plan.
Build a meal prep planCommon questions
Can I use these pages without building a plan?
Yes. Recipe, storage and budget pages are separate references. The planner is optional.
Do the costs include buying full packages?
No. They estimate edible quantities used. Whole packages, local prices, tax and pantry restocking can change the checkout total.
Are the food-storage ranges guarantees?
No. They assume safe handling and correct temperatures. Their expiry, smell or appearance cannot prove an individual food is safe.
How do I find a specific meal or ingredient?
Use the site search for a name or food, or open a meal filter. Source IDs and exact preparations are shown on the relevant page.
Check the sources
- USDA FoodData Central (opens in a new tab)
- USDA FoodKeeper (opens in a new tab)
- USDA August 2026 budget PDF (opens in a new tab)
Retrieved September 30, 2026. Read the calculation method and source dates.