How long does food stay fresh in the freezer?

Always wrap your items well to avoid freezer burn and write the date it was frozen.

Meat and poultry

• Chicken pieces: 9 months

• Whole chicken: up to 12 months

• Beef: 8 months

• Pork: 6 months

• Lamb: 12 months

• Bacon: 1 month

• Sausages: 1-2 months

• Burgers: 3-4 months

Fish and seafood

Keep frozen for 3-6 months. Always store them in airtight containers or freezer bags to maintain their flavour and texture.

Bread and baked goods

These will keep for 2-3 months. Keep them in a sealed bag so they don’t absorb the flavours of other things in your freezer.

Dairy products

• Milk: 1-3 months

• Hard cheese: 6 months

• Butter: up to 12 months

Keep in mind that the texture of dairy may change a bit after freezing.

Leftovers and food prep

Got leftover lasagna or that extra bowl of soup? Or are you very organised and batch cooking for those busy weeknights? Either way, be sure to label everything with the date so you don't forget when you stashed them away. Also note what’s in the containers or you could be having a ‘surprise’ for dinner!

• Soups and stews: 2-3 months

• Prepped meals: 2-3 months

Ice cream

This probably gets eaten well before you have to worry about how long it can be kept, but just in case, aim to have it finished in 2-4 months!

Fruit

• You can freeze fruit such as berries, mangoes, and pineapple for 10-12 months. 

• If you buy ready frozen foods from the supermarket, they should have a freezer guide on the packaging.

Freeze and defrost food safely

• When freezing food, split it into smaller quantities if you have lots, as it will freeze faster. This also means you can defrost as much as you need, rather than all of it at once.

• When freezing food you’ve just bought, place it in freezer bags to maintain quality.

• You don’t need to unwrap pre-packaged raw meat on trays, just put it in a freezer bag. This will help minimise cross contamination in your kitchen.

• If you are freezing cooked food or leftovers, the most important thing is to cool it quickly. Cool food on the bench only until it stops steaming. Then place the hot food directly into the container, cover with a lid and put it in the freezer.

• Thaw raw, cooked, or ready-to-eat foods in the fridge or microwave – not on the bench-top. (Follow thawing and cooking instructions on packaged frozen food as some foods don’t require thawing before cooking).

And finally, here are things that don't belong in your freezer!

source: foodsafety.asn.au