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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 6 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Ricotta | 2 weeks (from purchase); 1 weeks (after opening) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Roasted red peppers | 4–6 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Rosemary | 2–3 weeks (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 1–2 weeks (general guidance) |
| Rotisserie chicken | 3–4 days (from purchase) | 4 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Rutabagas | 2–3 weeks (from purchase) | 8–10 months (from purchase) | 1 weeks (from purchase) |
| Rye | No official duration listed | 12 months (general guidance) | 6 months (general guidance) |
| Salad dressing | 3–4 weeks (after opening) | No official duration listed | 6 months (from purchase) |
| Salad dressings | 1–3 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 10–12 months (from purchase) |
| Salami | 2 weeks (from purchase); 3–5 days (after opening) | 1–2 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| salmon | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 2–3 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Salsa | 1 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase) |
| Sauce mixes | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase) |
| Sausage | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 1–2 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Sausages | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 1–2 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Scallops | 1–3 days (from purchase) | 6–18 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| scrambled eggs | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Seafood | 1–2 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | 1 years (general guidance) |
| Seafood salads | 3–4 days (general guidance) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Seasoning blends | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase); 1–2 years (after opening) |
| Sesame oil | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase); 6 months (after opening) |
| Sesame seeds | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 5 years (general guidance) |
| Sherbet, sorbet | Not Recommended (general guidance) | 9 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Shortening | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase); 6–12 months (after opening) |
| shrimp | 1–3 days (from purchase) | 6–18 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Shrimp, crayfish | 1–3 days (from purchase) | 6–18 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Shrimp, shellfish | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 12–18 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Shucked clams, mussels, and oysters | 3–10 days (from purchase) | 3–4 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| smoothies | Package use-by date (general guidance) | 3 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Sorghum | No official duration listed | 8 months (general guidance) | 4 months (general guidance) |
| Soup mixes | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Soup, stews | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Soy crumbles and hot dogs | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 1–2 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Soy flour | 6 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed | 2 months (from purchase) |
| Soy meat substitutes | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 12–18 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| soy sauce | 1 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 3 years (from purchase) |
| Soy sauce or teriyaki sauce | 1 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 3 years (from purchase) |
| Spaghetti sauce | 4 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | 18 months (from purchase) |
| Spaghetti squash | 1–2 weeks (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 2 months (general guidance) |
| Spelt | No official duration listed | 12 months (general guidance) | 6 months (general guidance) |
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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.