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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| kidney beans | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Kimchi | 6–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Kiwi fruit | 3–6 days (general guidance) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Kohlrabi | 1 weeks (from purchase) | 8–12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Kugel | No official duration listed | 1 years (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Kumquats | 3 weeks (general guidance) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Lamb | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 4–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Lean fish | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 6–8 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Leeks | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 10–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Leftovers | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| lemon | 6 days (general guidance) | 12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Lemon extract | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (general guidance); 12 months (after opening) |
| Lemon juice | 2 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 12–18 months (from purchase) |
| Lemongrass | 7–9 days (from purchase) | 6 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Lentils | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Lettuce | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| lime | 2 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 12–18 months (from purchase) |
| Lime juice | 2 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 12–18 months (from purchase) |
| Live clams, mussels, crab, and oysters | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 2–3 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Lobster tails | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 8 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Luncheon meat or poultry | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 1–2 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Macadamias | 12 months (from purchase) | 24 months (from purchase) | 2–4 weeks (from purchase) |
| Macaroons | No official duration listed | 3 months (general guidance) | 1–2 days (general guidance) |
| Main dishes or meals | 3–4 days (from purchase) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Margarine | 6 months (from purchase) | 12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Marinades | 6 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase) |
| Marinated vegetables | 3–4 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Marshmallow crème | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2–5 months (from purchase); 1 months (after opening) |
| Marshmallows | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase); 1 months (after opening) |
| Mayonnaise | 2 months (after opening) | No official duration listed | 3–6 months (from purchase) |
| Meat products | 3–4 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | 5 years (from purchase) |
| Meats | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 6 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Melons | 2 weeks (from purchase); 2–4 days (after opening) | 1 months (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Milk | Package use-by date (general guidance) | 3 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Millet | No official duration listed | 4 months (general guidance) | 2 months (general guidance) |
| Mint | 2–3 weeks (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 1–2 weeks (general guidance) |
| Miso | 1 years (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Molasses | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1–2 years (from purchase); 6 months (after opening) |
| Muffin | No official duration listed | 2–3 months (general guidance) | 3–7 days (general guidance) |
| Mung bean | 4–6 weeks (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 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.