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Storage Timetable

Food

Freezer Life-Span (months)

Fish (raw)  
Oily fish (salmon, trout) 2
White fish (cod, perch) 6
Shellfish 2-4
Cooked prawns, scallops 1
Poultry (raw)  
Chicken pieces 6
Chicken whole 12
Chicken whole and stuffed 1-2
Duck 3
Goose 3
Other game (small) 1-2
Other game (large) 9
Meat (raw)  
Beef, steaks, roasts 6-12
Beef, minced 3
Beef, minced and seasoned 1
Beef, stewing 3-6
Veal 6-9
Lamb 6-9
Pork, roasts, chops 3-6
Pork, minced 2
Cured/ smoked meat (bacon, prosciutto) 1-2
Sausages 2-3
Cooked foods  
Vegetarian casseroles 3-6
Meat casseroles 3
Poultry 1-3
Leftover meats 2
Soups 4
Baked goods  
Bread (all types) 8
Cakes, biscuits 4
Pastries, scones 8
Uncooked pastry dough 2
Sandwiches 6 weeks
Pies 4-6
Fruits and vegetables 12
Dairy products  
Butter, salted 12
Butter, unsalted 3
Margarine 6
Firm cheese, processed, grated 3
Cream 1
Milk 6 weeks
Egg white 3

Unfreezables*

Whilst your freezer is the ideal solution for storing most foods in top condition, there are some foods recommended not to be frozen at all. These are:

  • Salad vegetables with a high water content such as cucumber, tomatoes, celery and lettuce. They will become limp on thawing so can't be eaten raw, but can be frozen if added with other ingredients for soups or casseroles
  • Carbonated drinks - they may explode if stored at low freezer temperatures!
  • Eggs can't be frozen in their shells, as the egg will expand and break the shell. (Tip: they can be frozen if the egg/eggs are slightly whisked or if the egg yolk and egg white are separated. For example, freeze yolk in ice cube trays for later use)
  • Mayonnaise and yoghurt. Both of these will separate upon thawing
  • Cream containing less than 40% butterfat will also separate upon thawing, but can be frozen if it is combined with other ingredients. Similarly, cottage and other curd cheeses should not be frozen alone but if mixed in with other ingredients will freeze successfully
  • Icing - if frozen it will crack and/or crumble when thawed

*Family Freezer Cookbook, Eileen Turner, Octopus Books Limited 1979

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