How Long Can You Keep Leftovers in the Refrigerator?

When you put leftovers in the refrigerator, you probably don’t consider how long they’ll remain edible — maybe you eat them in time or you discover that they’ve gone bad.

That pattern may change after you read the following guide to the length of time that different foods can stay fresh in the ‘fridge — based on Food and Drug Administration recommendations.

Life of Leftovers in the Refrigerator

Bacon: one week

Barbecue Sauce (opened): four months

Butter: one to two months

Cheese (soft): one to two weeks; (shredded): one month; (hard, opened): up to six months

Chicken (cooked): three to four days; (fried) three to four days

Eggs (cooked): three to four days; (fresh): three to five days

Fish (smoked): two weeks

Gravy or Meat Broth: one to two days

Egg Salad: three to five days

Ground Turkey: one to two days

Guacamole: three to four days

Ham (cooked, whole): one week; (half or sliced): three to five days

Hamburger (raw): one to two days

Hot Dogs (opened): one week; (unopened): two weeks

Hot Sauce (opened container): about six months

Fruit Punch or Juice (in a carton or bottle): seven to 12 days

Salsa (opened): one month

Sausage (raw): one to two days; (smoked): one week

Seafood (cooked): one to two days

Shrimp, Scallops or Squid (fresh): two weeks

Soup: three to four days

Soy or Teriyaki Sauce (opened): one month

Spaghetti Sauce (opened): four days

Steak: three to five days

Store-Cooked Meals: three to four days

Turkey (cooked): one to two days

Veal: one to two days

Vegetables (cooked): three to four days

Wine (opened): one to three days

Yogurt: one week