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Shelf life
Shelf lifeDo best by dates really matter?Best by dates measure quality, not safety. The USDA says only infant formula legally needs a true safety date. Here's how long food stays good past the date, and when to trust the calendar over your fridge thermometer.
PantryWhat pantry foods last past their expiration dateMost low-acid canned foods stay safe for 2 to 5 years past the printed date, and dry staples like rice, pasta, sugar, and honey can last just as long. Here is the USDA-backed breakdown of how long common pantry foods last, how to spot real spoilage, and how to store everything so it lasts.
DairyIs expired sour cream safe to eat if unopened?Unopened sour cream stays safe for about one to three weeks past its printed date if it never left the refrigerator, according to USDA guidance. Here is how to tell if yours has turned.
PantryHow long does dry pasta last after opening?Dry pasta lasts about 1 year in the pantry after opening, once it's in an airtight container, and about 2 years unopened. This guide breaks it down by pasta type, with USDA-backed spoilage signs and storage tips.
PantryCan you use expired flour? What's really safeFlour past its printed date is usually fine to bake with, but "expired" and "raw" are two different safety questions. Here's what USDA's numbers really say.
ProduceHow long do sun-dried tomatoes in oil last after opening?Opened sun-dried tomatoes in oil last 3 to 6 months in the refrigerator, according to USDA guidance, as long as the tomatoes stay fully covered in oil. This guide covers safe storage, how to spot spoilage, and when to toss the jar.
Food storageThe printable food shelf life chart for your fridge, freezer, and pantryA USDA backed, printable chart that shows how long eggs, dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, leftovers, and pantry staples last in the fridge, freezer, and cupboard.
PantryHow long is canned food good after the expiration date?USDA says unopened canned food stays safe for 2 to 5 years past its date if low acid, or 12 to 18 months if high acid, as long as the can is undamaged. This guide explains how to check a can for spoilage, store it properly, and know when to toss it.
DairyHow to tell if cheese is badUSDA guidance says unopened hard cheese keeps about 6 months in the fridge and 3 to 4 weeks once opened, while soft cheese lasts about a week. Mold, smell, and texture tell you the rest, and whether moldy cheese is safe to eat depends on the type.
DairyHow long can butter sit out of the fridge?USDA FoodKeeper says butter is safe on the counter for 1 to 2 days. Here's how long it lasts in the fridge and freezer, and how to tell when it's gone bad.
SeafoodHow to tell if salmon is badRaw salmon is only good for 1 to 2 days in the fridge. Spot spoiled salmon by smell, look, and feel, and check the USDA storage times for raw, cooked, and smoked salmon.
DairyHow long is yogurt good after the expiration date?Unopened yogurt keeps for one to two weeks past its printed date if refrigerated the whole time, and five to seven days once opened, per the USDA. Here is how to tell if yours has gone bad.
EggsHow long do hard boiled eggs last in the fridge?Hard boiled eggs last about a week in the fridge, peeled or in the shell, according to USDA guidance. Here's how to store them properly, spot the signs they've gone bad, and know when it's time to toss them.
DairyHow long is milk good after opening?Opened milk keeps about 7 days in the fridge, according to the USDA, as long as you hold it at 40°F or below. The clock starts when you open the carton, not on the sell-by date.
EggsHow to tell if eggs are still goodFresh eggs keep 3 to 5 weeks in the fridge, per USDA. The float test shows age, not safety. Know the smell and color signs of a bad egg, and how to store eggs so they last.
EggsHow long are eggs good after the expiration date?Raw eggs keep 3 to 5 weeks in the fridge, usually well past the printed date, since that's about quality, not safety. Inside: USDA storage times, spoilage signs, and how to store eggs so they last.
ChickenHow long does raw chicken last in the fridge?Raw chicken lasts 1 to 2 days in the fridge at 40°F, per the USDA. Below are the freezer times, how to spot spoilage, and how to store it so it lasts the full two days.
PantryHow Long Does Cooked Rice Last in the Fridge?Plain cooked rice keeps 4 to 6 days per USDA FoodKeeper, or 3 to 4 if you cannot vouch for how it was cooled. Which one applies, spoilage signs, and the two-hour rule.
Food safetyHow long does food last? A room-by-room food storage guideHow long food really lasts: USDA storage times for the fridge, freezer, and pantry, the 2-hour rule, and links to guides for specific foods.