Ripe Tomatoes: 3 to 5 Days
Ripe tomatoes really only last a few days once they hit the fridge. If you want them to ripen more, leave them on the counter. Once they’re cut, though, refrigerate and eat them fast before they turn mushy. No one likes a mushy tomato.
Eggs: 3 - 5 Weeks
Eggs actually last for quite a while in the fridge - up to five weeks if you keep them in their carton. Just don’t put them in the fridge door. You can check the freshness of your eggs by placing them in water. If it floats, toss it.
Cooked Chicken: 3 to 4 Days
Cooked chicken stays good for up to four days in the fridge. Keep it in a sealed container so it doesn’t dry out. If it smells weird or looks slimy, it’s time to toss it out. You should aim to eat it in three days for the best flavor.
Raw Ground Beef: 1 to 2 Days
Ground beef spoils quickly, so it's best to cook it within a day or two of purchase. Keep it cold until you’re ready to use it. If you can’t cook it soon, freeze it. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to raw meat.
Cooked Beef: 4 Days
Cooked beef, such as steak or a roast, remains fresh for approximately four days. Keep it in an airtight container so it doesn’t dry out. When reheating it, warm it slowly to keep it tender and super tasty. Toss it out if it smells weird or starts changing color.
Raw Fish: 1 to 2 Days
Fresh fish really doesn’t last long. You should try to cook it the same day or the next if possible. It should smell clean, not “fishy.” If it starts to smell bad or feels slimy, don’t risk it. Fresh fish is always the safest and tastiest.
Cooked Fish: 3 to 4 Days
Cooked fish is a bit safer to store than raw fish, and keeps for up to four days in the fridge. It should be stored in a sealed container to hold in the flavor. If it starts to smell off, skip it and toss it in the trash where it belongs.
Hard Cheese: 3 to 4 Weeks
Hard cheese, such as cheddar, can last up to a month when stored correctly. If you notice a small amount of mold, simply cut it off and enjoy the rest. Keep it wrapped up tight to stay fresh and mold-free.
Soft Cheese: 1 Week
Soft cheeses like brie only stay good for about a week before they go soggy. Keep them cold and wrapped well in the fridge. If they smell too strong or look weird, it’s time to let them go. Soft cheeses are delicious, but super picky about freshness.
Milk: 7 Days
Once milk is opened, it stays fresh for about a week. Always close the cap tightly and keep it cold. If it smells sour or starts looking chunky, it’s gone bad and needs to go. Another useful tip is to store it near the back of the fridge, where it’s colder.
Yogurt: 1 to 2 Weeks
Yogurt lasts a bit longer than milk - up to two weeks. Keep the lid sealed and check before eating it. If it smells odd or has a lot of liquid on top, it’s time to toss it. Fresh yogurt should look smooth and creamy, and not chunky.
Butter: 1 to 3 Months
Butter stays fresh for up to three months in the fridge. Keep it wrapped to protect the flavor. You can even freeze it if you don’t use it daily or often. It thaws really nicely and spreads smoothly on your toast or bagel.
Store-Bought Bread: 1 Week
Store-bought bread stays soft and fresh for about a week. Keep it sealed so it doesn’t dry out. If you want it to last longer, freeze it. You can toast slices straight from the freezer. It’s super easy and there’s way less waste.
Deli Meats: 3 to 5 Days
Once you’ve opened a pack of deli meat, you need to eat it within five days. Store it in an airtight container so it stays fresh. If you don’t, it can get slimy or smell strange. This is your cue to ditch it and consider buying smaller packs instead.
Bacon: 1 Week
Bacon keeps for about a week once you’ve opened the package. You can wrap it tightly to stop it from drying out or picking up fridge smells. When it feels sticky or smells funny, don’t use it. Fresh bacon should look firm and smell smoky.
Sour Cream: 1 to 2 Weeks
Sour cream stays fresh for a week or two after opening. Keep it tightly covered and always use a clean spoon. Sour cream is meant to be sour, but if it smells extra sour or turns watery, it’s past its best-before date and belongs in the trash.
Hot Dogs: 1 Week
Open hot dogs last about a week in the fridge. Keep them sealed or covered so they stay fresh. When they start smelling bad or feeling slimy, it’s time to toss them out. Also, always cook them well before eating them.
Cooked Eggs: 3 to 4 Days
Cooked eggs go off way quicker than fresh eggs. They last around four days in the fridge. Pop them in a closed container to keep them fresh. If they smell odd, don’t take chances; rather, throw them away in the trash.
Leafy Greens: 5 to 7 Days
Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale stay fresh for about a week in the fridge. Aim to keep them dry by placing them in a bag with a sheet of paper towel to soak up moisture. Too much water causes them to wilt quickly. We all know that nobody likes soggy salad leaves.
Carrots: 2 to 3 Weeks
Carrots are tough veggies and last a long time - up to three weeks in the fridge if they’re stored properly. Ideally, they should be stored in a bag or container to keep them fresh and crisp. If they start to go limp, simply soak them in cold water.
Cucumbers: 1 Week
Cucumbers stay fresh for about a week. Keep them dry and cool in the crisper drawer. After that, they just get soft and watery. They taste best when they’re crisp, so eat them early for that perfect crunch in your salad.
Cooked Potatoes: 3 to 5 Days
Cooked potatoes are good for about five days in the fridge. Keep them covered so they don’t dry out. Leftover cooked potatoes are great for reheating, mashing, or making hash browns later, but keep an eye on them. If they smell sour, toss them out.
Corn: 1 to 2 Days
Fresh corn tastes way better right away. After a day or two, it starts to lose its sweetness. Keep it cold and covered in the fridge until you’re ready to cook it. The fresher your corn is, the juicier and tastier it’ll be.
Apples: 3 to 4 Weeks
Did you know you can store your apples in your fridge to make them last longer? Apples last up to four weeks when they’re in a fridge if you keep them in a drawer away from the bananas. They’ll stay crunchy and sweet for ages.
Grapes: 1 to 2 Weeks
Grapes keep well for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat them, or they’ll go soft sooner. Keep them in their bag or a container so they stay firm and juicy for a much longer period.
Strawberries: 3 to 7 Days
Strawberries spoil quickly, so you need to eat them within a week. To keep them fresher for longer, keep them dry and store them in a container lined with paper towels. Only wash them right before you eat them, as any extra moisture makes them mold faster.
Cut Watermelon: 3 to 5 Days
Once you cut a watermelon, it spoils much faster. Cover it tightly and keep it in the refrigerator. Eat it within five days while it’s still juicy and sweet. After that, it just starts getting mushy and less tasty.
Pineapple: 3 to 5 Days
Pineapple is acidic, so it really only stays fresh for about five days - especially if it’s cut. Keep it sealed in a container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any smells from your fridge. If it smells a bit too acidic or starts going watery or mushy, toss it out.
Leftovers: 3 to 4 Days
Most leftovers are good for about four days. It’s always a good idea to label your leftovers so you don’t forget what’s what. If anything smells off or looks weird, get rid of it. Always store your leftovers in a sealed container to keep them fresher for longer.
Cooked Pasta: 3 to 5 Days
Cooked pasta is a tricky one. But it usually lasts around five days when stored in a fridge. The trick is to keep it in a sealed container so it stays fresh and doesn’t stick together. If it smells funky or feels slimy, it’s time for the pasta to go.
Cooked Rice: 4 to 6 Days
Cooked rice lasts for up to six days if you store it right away after cooling. Don’t leave it sitting out because it spoils fast. Store it in an airtight container and only open it when you plan to reheat and eat it.
Soup or Stews: 3 to 4 Days
Soups and stews are great as leftovers, but they don’t last longer than about four days, even in the refrigerator. Keep them sealed tight and reheat them until they’re steaming hot before serving. They often taste better the next day, but not after four days.
Fresh Herbs: 1 Week
Fresh herbs last up to a week if you store them right in a refrigerator. Place the stems in a jar of water, like you would with flowers, and cover the jar loosely with a bag. They’ll stay fresh way longer that way.
Peanut Butter: 3 Months
Peanut butter lasts around three months if you store it in the fridge. Keep the lid tight so it stays smooth and tasty. Stir it after opening to mix the oils. If it smells off or separates too much, it’s time to replace it.
Cake With Frosting: 3 to 4 Days
Frosted cakes stay soft and moist for about four days in the fridge. You’ll want to keep it covered so it doesn’t dry out. It won’t last too long if it’s chocolate, but what better excuse than to eat it all, right?
