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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Turkey bacon | 2 weeks (from purchase); 7 days (after opening); Or until best-by date. (after thawing) | 2–4 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Turkey parts | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 9 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Turnips | 2 weeks (from purchase) | 8–10 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Variety meats | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 3–4 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Veal | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 4–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Vegan Cheddar Cheese | 4 months (from purchase); 3–7 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Vegetable juice | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 18 months (from purchase) |
| Vegetable oil sprays | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Vegetable soup | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 3 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Vegetable stock/broth | 7 days (general guidance); 3–4 days (after opening) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | Package use-by date (general guidance) |
| Vegetables | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 10–18 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Venison | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 4–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Vinegar | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase) |
| Walnuts | 9–12 months (from purchase) | 24 months (from purchase) | 2–4 weeks (from purchase) |
| Watermelon | 3–4 days (from purchase) | 12 months (general guidance) | 1–2 days (from purchase) |
| Whipped cream | 3–4 weeks (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Whipped topping | 3 months (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| white beans | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| White wine | 1–3 days (after opening); Depending on conditions. (after thawing) | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (general guidance) |
| Whole wheat bread | No official duration listed | 3 months (general guidance) | 3–5 days (general guidance) |
| Whole wheat flour | 2 years (general guidance) | 2 years (general guidance) | 12 months (general guidance) |
| Worcestershire sauce | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase) |
| Yams/sweet potatoes | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2–3 weeks (from purchase) |
| Yeast | 4 months (after opening) | 6 months (general guidance) | 2 years (from purchase) |
| Yogurt | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 1–2 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Yuca/cassava | 3 days (from purchase) | 1–2 months (from purchase) | 7 days (from purchase) |
| Yuzu | 5–7 days (general guidance) | Indefinitely (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Yuzu juice | 9–12 months (from purchase); 3–4 months (after opening) | 1–2 years (general guidance) | 4–6 months (from purchase) |
| Zucchini | 1 weeks (general guidance) | 10 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
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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.