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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doughnuts | 2 days (after opening) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | 1–2 days (from purchase) |
| Dry egg noodles | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase); 1–2 months (after opening) |
| Dry gravy mixes | 1–2 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase) |
| Dry stuffing mix | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 9–12 months (general guidance) |
| Duck fat | 30 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Duckling | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 6 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Edamame | 4–5 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| egg | 3–5 weeks (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Egg dishes | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Egg salad | 3–4 days (general guidance) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Egg substitutes | 7 days (from purchase); 3 days (after opening) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| egg white | 2–4 days (general guidance) | 12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| egg whites | 2–4 days (general guidance) | 12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Eggnog | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 6 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Eggplant | 4–7 days (from purchase) | 6–8 months (from purchase) | 1 days (from purchase) |
| Eggs | 3–5 weeks (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Farro | No official duration listed | 12 months (general guidance) | 6 months (general guidance) |
| Fatty fish | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 2–3 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Fish | 14–45 days (from purchase) | 9–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Flavored or herb mixes | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 6 months (from purchase) |
| Flaxseed | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase) |
| Flour | 1 year (after opening) | No official duration listed | 6–12 months (from purchase); 6–8 months (after opening) |
| Fresh clams, mussels, oysters | 5–10 days (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Fresh lobster tails | 2–3 days (from purchase) | 2–4 weeks (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Fresh pasta | 1–2 days (general guidance) | 2 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Fresh whole lobster | 1 days (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Fried chicken | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 4 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Frosting or icing | 2–3 weeks (after opening) | No official duration listed | 10–12 months (from purchase) |
| Frozen entrees | Not Recommended (general guidance) | 12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Frozen potato products | Not Recommended (general guidance) | 12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Frozen pretzels | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 9 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Fruit cake | 12 months (after opening) | 12 months (from purchase) | 6 months (from purchase) |
| Fruit Juice in cartons, fruit drinks, punch | 8–12 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | 3 weeks (from purchase); 7–12 days (after opening) |
| Fruit pies | 1 weeks (after opening) | 8 months (general guidance) | 1–2 days (general guidance) |
| Fruits | No official duration listed | 10–18 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Fruits, dried | 6 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 6 months (from purchase); 1 months (after opening) |
| Frying oil | 1 months (general guidance) | 6–9 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Garam masala | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1 years (general guidance) |
| Garlic | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 8–12 months (from purchase) |
| Garlic powder | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 3–4 years (from purchase) |
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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.