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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celery | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Celery root | 1 weeks (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Cereal | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 6–12 months (from purchase); 2–3 months (after opening) |
| Cereal or granola bars | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 6–12 months (general guidance) |
| Cheese | 6 months (from purchase); 3–4 weeks (after opening) | 6 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Cheese Curds | 2 weeks (general guidance) | 4 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Cheesecake | 5–7 days (after opening) | 3–6 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Cherimoya | 4 days (general guidance) | 10–12 months (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Cherries | 2–3 days (from purchase) | 8–12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Cherry tomatoes | 5 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 10 days (general guidance) |
| chia | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 18 months (general guidance) |
| Chia seeds | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 18 months (general guidance) |
| Chicken | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| chicken breast | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 9 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Chicken broth/stock/consommé | 7 days (general guidance); 3–4 days (after opening) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | Package use-by date (general guidance) |
| Chicken nuggets, patties | 1–2 days (after thawing) | 1–3 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Chicken parts | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 9 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Chicken salad | 3–4 days (general guidance) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| chickpeas | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Chili powder | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase); 2 years (after opening) |
| Chives | 2–3 weeks (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 1–2 weeks (general guidance) |
| Chocolate | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Chocolate syrup | 6 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase); Not Recommended (after opening) |
| Chorizo | 1–2 days (general guidance) | 1–2 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Chutney | 1–2 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase) |
| Cilantro | 2–3 weeks (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 1–2 weeks (general guidance) |
| Cinnamon | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 3–4 years (from purchase) |
| Cinnamon extract | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (general guidance); 12 months (after opening) |
| Cinnamon rolls | Package use-by date (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Citrus fruit | 10–21 days (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | 10 days (from purchase) |
| cocoa | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | Indefinitely (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Coconut | 8 months (after opening) | 1 years (general guidance) | 1 years (from purchase) |
| Coconut cream | 4 days (after opening) | 3 months (general guidance) | 2–5 years (from purchase) |
| Coconut flavor | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (general guidance); 12 months (after opening) |
| Coconut flour | 9–12 months (general guidance) | 9–12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Coconut milk | Package use-by date (general guidance); 7–10 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Coconut oil | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 3 years (general guidance) |
| Coconut water | 1–2 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | 12 months (from purchase) |
| Coconuts | 2–3 weeks (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | 1 weeks (from purchase) |
| Coffee | 3–4 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 3–5 months (from purchase); 3–5 months (after opening) |
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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.