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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine nuts | 3 months (general guidance) | 9 months (general guidance) | 2–3 weeks (general guidance) |
| Pineapple | 5–7 days (general guidance) | 10–12 months (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Pistachios | 12 months (from purchase) | 24 months (from purchase) | 3 weeks (from purchase) |
| Pitaya/dragon fruit | 2–3 weeks (from purchase) | 10–12 months (general guidance) | 2–5 days (general guidance) |
| Pizza | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Plantains | 3–5 days (general guidance) | 10–12 months (general guidance) | When Ripe (general guidance) |
| Polenta | 5–7 days (after opening) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | Package use-by date (general guidance) |
| Pomegranate | 1–3 months (from purchase) | 10–12 months (general guidance) | 2–5 days (from purchase) |
| Popcorn | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (from purchase); 1 years (after opening) |
| Pork | 3–5 days (from purchase) | 4–12 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Pork rinds | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 4 months (general guidance) |
| potato | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 10–12 months (general guidance) | 1–2 months (from purchase) |
| Potato chips | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | Package use-by date (general guidance); 2 months (from purchase); 1–2 weeks (after opening) |
| Potato salad | 3–5 days (general guidance) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Potatoes | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 10–12 months (general guidance) | 1–2 months (from purchase) |
| Poultry pieces | 3–4 days (general guidance) | 1–2 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Powdered milk | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 3–5 years (general guidance); 3 months (after opening) |
| Pretzels | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 4–9 months (from purchase); 3 weeks (after opening) |
| Prickly pear | 1–2 weeks (from purchase) | 10–12 months (general guidance) | 2–5 days (general guidance) |
| Prosciutto | 2–3 months (general guidance) | 1 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Pudding mixes | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 1 years (from purchase); 3–4 months (after opening) |
| Puff pastry | No official duration listed | 12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Pumpkin seeds | 6 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 6 months (general guidance) |
| Pumpkins | 3–5 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed | 2–3 months (from purchase) |
| Pure vanilla extract | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2 years (general guidance); 12 months (after opening) |
| Quail | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 6 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Quark | 7–10 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Quiche | 3–5 days (after opening) | 2–3 months (general guidance) | 2 hours (general guidance) |
| Quinoa | No official duration listed | No official duration listed | 2–3 years (from purchase) |
| Rabbit | 2 days (general guidance) | 9 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Radicchio | 2–3 weeks (general guidance) | No official duration listed | No official duration listed |
| Radishes | 10–14 days (from purchase) | Not Recommended (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Raspberries | 2–3 days (from purchase) | 8–12 months (general guidance) | No official duration listed |
| Raw kabobs with vegetables | 1–2 days (from purchase) | 3–4 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Re-hydrated textured soy protein | 3–4 days (general guidance) | No official duration listed | 3–4 months (from purchase) |
| Ready-to-bake pie crust | Package use-by date (general guidance) | 2 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed |
| Red wine | 1–3 days (after opening); Depending on conditions. (after thawing) | No official duration listed | 3–5 years (general guidance) |
| Refried beans | 2–3 days (after opening) | No official duration listed | 3 years (from purchase) |
| Relish | 9 months (from purchase) | No official duration listed | 30 months (from purchase) |
| Rhubarb | 3–7 days (from purchase) | 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.