Where the freezer buys most

• Shrimp, crayfish180 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (3 days to 18 months)
• Chicken180 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 days to 12 months)
• Stuffed, raw chicken breasts135 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (2 days to 9 months)
• Shrimp, shellfish135 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 18 months)
• Rabbit, whole, fresh135 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (2 days to 9 months)
• Chicken parts135 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 days to 9 months)
• Strawberries120 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (3 days to 12 months)
• Okra120 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (3 days to 12 months)
• Lean fish120 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 days to 8 months)
• Corn on the cob120 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 days to 8 months)
• Watermelon90 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (4 days to 12 months)
• Pizza, frozen90 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 12 months)
• Egg substitutes90 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 12 months)
• Crab legs, king, dungeness, snow90 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (4 days to 12 months)
• Venison, round, rump, loin, or rib roast72 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (5 days to 12 months)
• Variety meats, liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.60 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 days to 4 months)
• Ground turkey or chicken60 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 days to 4 months)
• Apple juice, fresh squeezed60 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (6 days to 12 months)
• Mushrooms51 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (7 days to 12 months)
• Kohlrabi51 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (1 week to 12 months)
• Honeydew51 times longer frozenthan the sealed pantry (7 days to 12 months)
• Macaroons, french45 times longer frozenthan the pantry (2 days to 3 months)
• Fish45 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 6 months)
• Fatty fish, bluefish, catfish, mackerel, mullet, salmon, tuna, etc.45 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 days to 3 months)
• Bagel45 times longer frozenthan the pantry (2 days to 3 months)
• Zucchini, fresh, whole43 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (1 week to 10 months)
• Parsley, fresh40 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (3 days to 4 months)
• Crab meat40 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (3 days to 4 months)
• Asparagus38 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (4 days to 5 months)
• Orange juice36 times longer frozenthan the opened fridge (10 days to 12 months)
• Eggnog, commercial36 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (5 days to 6 months)
• Papaya, mango, feijoa, passionfruit, casaha melon34 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (1 week to 8 months)
• Fruit pies, apple, peach, blueberry, apricot, cherry, blackberry34 times longer frozenthan the opened fridge (1 week to 8 months)
• Eggplant34 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (7 days to 8 months)
• Whipped topping30 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 weeks to 14 months)
• Sausage30 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 days to 2 months)
• Pate30 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 days to 2 months)
• Guacamole30 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 4 months)
• Fried chicken30 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 4 months)
• Fresh pasta30 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (2 days to 2 months)
• Dairy filled eclairs30 times longer frozenthan the opened fridge (3 days to 3 months)
• Cooked rice30 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (6 days to 6 months)
• Cinnamon rolls30 times longer frozenthan the pantry (3 days to 3 months)
• Chorizo30 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (2 days to 2 months)
• Bratwurst30 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (3 days to 3 months)
• Bananas30 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (3 days to 3 months)
• Star fruit26 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 weeks to 12 months)
• Cheesecake26 times longer frozenthan the opened fridge (7 days to 6 months)
• Blueberries26 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (2 weeks to 12 months)
• Cantaloupe24 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (15 days to 12 months)
• Main dishes or meals, hot or refrigerated22 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (4 days to 3 months)
• Leftovers22 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 3 months)
• Egg dishes22 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 3 months)
• Cooked shellfish, all22 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 3 months)
• Broth, homemade22 times longer frozenthan the refrigerator (4 days to 3 months)
• Tofu21 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (1 week to 5 months)
• Lemongrass20 times longer frozenthan the sealed fridge (9 days to 6 months)
• Whole wheat bread18 times longer frozenthan the pantry (5 days to 3 months)
• Quiche18 times longer frozenthan the opened fridge (5 days to 3 months)
• Commercial cakes and muffins18 times longer frozenthan the opened fridge (10 days to 6 months)

How this list is built

Of the 123 foods here where the USDA publishes both a freezer figure and at least one figure outside the freezer, these 60 gain the most from freezing. Each multiplier divides the freezer figure by the longest window that food has without a freezer, so the gain is measured against the best you could do otherwise and not against the worst. The division is ours: the source prints the ranges and never divides one by another.

KeepsUntil is an independent reference built on public USDA data. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Food and Drug Administration. Whether a given window is a safety limit or a quality window is stated on the page that prints it.