Leftovers expiration calculator
Short answer: Most cooked leftovers keep 3–4 days in the fridge, counted from the day you cooked them. Raw ground meat and raw chicken keep 1–2 days. Pick your food below to get the exact date.
The chart the calculator uses
Count from the day you cooked the food (or opened the package, or bought raw meat), not from the date printed on the label. Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked leftovers (meat, poultry, casseroles) | 3–4 days | Freezes for 2–6 months. |
| Cooked chicken or turkey | 3–4 days | Freezes for 2–6 months. |
| Soup or stew | 3–4 days | Freezes for 2–3 months. |
| Pizza | 3–4 days | Freezes for 1–2 months. |
| Chicken, egg, tuna or macaroni salad | 3–4 days | Doesn't freeze well. |
| Hard-boiled eggs | 1 week | Don't freeze. |
| Deli meat, opened or sliced at the counter | 3–5 days | Freezes for 1–2 months. |
| Hot dogs, opened | 1 week | Freezes for 1–2 months. |
| Bacon | 1 week | Freezes for 1 month. |
| Raw ground beef, pork or turkey | 1–2 days | Freezes for 3–4 months. |
| Raw chicken or turkey pieces | 1–2 days | Freezes for about 9 months. |
| Raw whole chicken or turkey | 1–2 days | Freezes for about 1 year. |
| Raw steaks, chops or roasts | 3–5 days | Freezes for 4–12 months. |
| Raw sausage | 1–2 days | Freezes for 1–2 months. |
| Raw fish (salmon, cod, tilapia) | 1–3 days | Freezes for 2–8 months depending on the fish. |
| Raw eggs in the shell (from the day you buy them) | 3–5 weeks | Don't freeze in the shell. |
Freezer times are for best quality. Food kept frozen at 0°F (−18°C) stays safe indefinitely, it just gets drier and loses flavor.
How to use the date
- Write the date on the container when it goes in the fridge. Masking tape and a marker works.
- Freeze it before the last day, not on it, if you know you won't get to it.
- Don't trust your nose. The bacteria that cause food poisoning usually don't change how food smells or looks.
Common questions
How long are leftovers good for in the fridge?
3 to 4 days for most cooked leftovers, counted from the day you cooked them. After that, throw them out or freeze them before then.
Do I count from the day I cooked it or the next day?
From the day you cooked it. If you cooked on Sunday, eat or freeze the leftovers by Thursday at the latest.
Is food safe on the last day?
Yes, if it has been kept at 40°F or below the whole time. The next day, throw it out.
Does freezing reset the clock?
Freezing pauses it. Once you thaw leftovers in the fridge, eat them within 3 to 4 days.
Free food calculators
How long food lasts
Source: FoodSafety.gov cold food storage chart. Updated 2026-10-13. General information, not medical advice. When in doubt, throw it out.