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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beets | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 6–8 months (from purchase) | 1 days (from purchase) |
| Berries | 7 days (from purchase) | 12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Biscuit or pancake mix | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 9 months (from purchase) |
| Bison | 3–5 days (general guidance) | 6–9 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Black bean sauce | 3–6 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 18–24 months (from purchase) |
| black beans | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Black pepper | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase) |
| Blueberries | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 8–12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| blueberry | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 8–12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Bok choy | 2–3 days (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Bratwurst | 2–3 days (general guidance) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Bread | 2–3 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 3–5 days (general guidance) |
| Breadcrumbs | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 6 months (general guidance) |
| broccoli | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Broccoli and broccoli raab (rapini) | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Broth | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| brown rice | 6 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Brussels sprouts | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Buckwheat | No official duration listed | 4 months (general guidance) | 2 months (general guidance) |
| Bulgur | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 6–12 months (general guidance) |
| Butter | 1–2 months (from purchase) | 6–9 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Butter flavor | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (general guidance); 12 months (after opening) |
| Buttermilk | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 3 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Cabbage | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Cajun seasoning blend | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase) |
| Cake, brownie, bread mixes | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 12–18 months (from purchase) |
| Canadian bacon | 2 weeks (general guidance) | 2 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Canned chicken | 3–4 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | 5 years (from purchase) |
| Canned goods | 3–4 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | 2–5 years (from purchase); Not Recommended (after opening) |
| Canola oil | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase) |
| Cantaloupe | 5–15 days (from purchase) | 12 months (general guidance) | 2–4 days (from purchase) |
| Capon | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| carrot | 2–3 weeks (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Carrot juice | 6 days (general guidance) | 12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Carrots, parsnips | 2–3 weeks (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Cashew butter | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 3 months (general guidance) |
| Cashews | 6 months (from purchase) | 12 months (from purchase) | 2–4 weeks (from purchase) |
| Casseroles | 3–4 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Cauliflower | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Caviar | 1–4 weeks (from purchase); 2 days (after opening) | Not Recommended (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.