Research-backed food storage
Know before you freeze it.
Official USDA & FSA guidance on freezing and storing 119+ foods. Clear answers, safe timelines, no guesswork.
Most searched
Popular Freezing Questions
Can You Freeze McDonald's Burgers?
Yes, you can freeze McDonald's burgers as long as they were chilled quickly and kept out of the danger zone. Treat them like any cooked hamburger: refrigerate within 2 hours, then freeze well wrapped at 0°F / −18°C for a few months of decent quality.
Can You Freeze Smoked Salmon?
Yes - smoked salmon freezes well for short periods. For best quality, wrap portions tightly, press out air, and freeze at 0°F (-18°C). In the fridge (40°F / 4°C), smoked fish keeps about 14 days unopened; in the freezer, quality holds ~2 months. Always follow label “use-by” dates.
Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?
Yes - cream cheese freezing is safe but not ideal. Freeze only if you must, because thawed cream cheese turns crumbly and grainy. For safety, keep it fridge-cold at 40°F / 4°C, freeze at 0°F / −18°C, and follow country guidance: the USDA doesn't recommend freezing; the UK FSA gives no specific freezer time.
Can You Freeze Cheese?
Yes, most hard and semi-hard cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, gouda) can be frozen for later cooking. Keep them cold (40°F / 4°C), wrap tightly, and expect a slightly crumblier bite after thawing. Soft fresh cheeses (ricotta, cream cheese) don't freeze well. When in doubt, freeze grated portions - cheese freezing works best that way.
Can You Freeze Yogurt?
Yes, you can freeze yogurt to extend its shelf life by 1 to 2 months. Freezing preserves safety and nutritional value, but the smooth texture becomes grainy and separated after thawing. The live probiotic cultures survive freezing in a dormant state and remain viable, though some die off over time.
Can You Freeze Butter?
Yes - butter freezing is safe and handy. Freeze sticks or blocks tightly wrapped to block air, keep your freezer at 0°F / -18°C, and thaw in the fridge. Quality is best within 6–9 months (USDA FoodKeeper). Salted butter usually holds flavor longer than unsalted because salt slows oxidation.
Can You Freeze Pasta?
Yes - cooked pasta freezes well. Cool it fast, portion into airtight bags, and freeze at 0°F (-18°C). For best quality, use within 1–2 months (U.S.) or about 3 months (UK). Stuffed shapes like ravioli and tortellini can also be frozen raw, uncooked, straight from the tray to the pot.
Can You Freeze Eggnog?
Yes - eggnog can be frozen if it's the commercial, pasteurized kind; the USDA's consumer chart lists "Eggnog, commercial" as freezer-safe for up to 6 months (0°F / −18°C). Homemade eggnog should not be frozen, and both types must be kept cold: 40°F / 4°C or below. Always check labels and use pasteurized eggs.
Fresh off the desk
Latest Guides
Can You Freeze Casseroles?
Yes, most cooked casseroles freeze well for 2 to 3 months at peak quality, though university extension testing rates hearty combination dishes like lasagna and baked bean casseroles as good for up to 4 to 6 months when stored at a steady 0°F (-18°C). Cool them quickly in shallow portions, leave crisp toppings off until reheating, and expect potatoes, pasta, cream sauces, and soft vegetables to change texture. Thaw in the refrigerator or bake from frozen, and heat the center to 165°F (74°C).
Can You Freeze Fresh Chillies and Chili Peppers?
Yes, fresh chillies and chili peppers freeze very well without blanching. Wash and dry them, remove stems if convenient, then freeze whole, sliced, or chopped in recipe-size portions. They soften after thawing, so use them directly from frozen in sauces, curries, soups, and cooked dishes. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension puts frozen peppers at about 8 months for best quality, though a well-sealed bag stays safe well beyond that.
Can You Freeze Parsley?
Yes, you can freeze parsley, and freezing preserves its cooking flavor better than its appearance. Wash and dry it thoroughly, since parsley's high water content makes it more prone to clumping and darkening than an oilier herb like oregano, then freeze leaves loose, chopped flat, or in water or oil portions. Thawed parsley is limp, so use it directly in soups, sauces, stews, and cooked dishes rather than as a fresh garnish.
Can You Freeze Oregano?
Yes, fresh oregano can be frozen as leaves, sprigs, a flat chopped layer, or portions in oil. Its leaves soften after thawing, but its strong aroma remains useful in cooked tomato sauces, soups, marinades, and stews. Dry the herb carefully, freeze it airtight in glass or foil rather than plain plastic if odor transfer worries you, and add it without thawing.
Can You Freeze Flour?
Yes, flour can be frozen, and the freezer is especially useful for whole-wheat, nut, and other high-fat flours that turn rancid faster, as well as for killing any pantry-pest eggs hiding in a fresh bag. Seal flour against moisture and odors, freeze it in practical portions, and let the closed package return to room temperature before opening. Freezing does not make raw flour safe to eat; baking or cooking remains the kill step.
Can You Freeze Pastries?
Yes, many unfilled pastries, croissants, Danish pastries, and puff-pastry bakes can be frozen for about 1 to 2 months at their best quality, while unbaked pastry dough and shells often hold up longer if wrapped correctly. Freeze them as soon as they are fully cool, protect flaky layers from crushing, and reheat in a dry oven. Custard, cream, and wet fruit fillings shorten quality and may separate after thawing.
Can You Freeze Cookies?
Yes, most baked cookies freeze very well, and well-wrapped plain cookies can hold good quality for up to 6 months, though 2 to 3 months is a safer bet for anything iced, filled, or delicate. Cool them completely, separate soft and crisp styles, and pack them airtight with parchment between layers. Freeze icing, jam fillings, and delicate decorations only when their texture is known to hold up.
Can You Freeze Pork?
Yes, pork freezes well raw or cooked, though it deserves closer attention to timing than beef or lamb. Raw roasts, tenderloin, and other whole cuts hold peak quality for around 6 months (shorter than beef's 6-12), while ground pork drops off after just 1-3 months because pork fat oxidizes faster than other meats. Freeze meal-size portions airtight, add sauce to pulled pork only if it will suit the final dish, and thaw in the refrigerator.
Browse
Explore by Category
Baked Goods
Freezing techniques for bread, cakes, cookies, and pastries, with guidance on preventing staleness and preserving texture after thawing.
Brands
Freezing guidance for packaged, branded, and restaurant-chain foods, covering how long popular grocery and fast-food items last in the freezer.
Dairy
Storage and freezing guidance for milk, cheese, butter, cream, and eggs, including which dairy products freeze well and which lose their texture.
Ethnic Foods
Freezing and storage guidance for global ingredients, from fermented staples like kimchi and miso to prepared dishes like sushi and falafel.
Fish
Seafood-specific freezing guidance covering fin fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, with safe storage windows and tips for preserving texture after thawing.
Fruits
Freezing guides for fresh and processed fruit, from whole berries to sliced stone fruit, with tips for preventing browning and freezer burn.
Grains
Freezing and pantry storage advice for rice, pasta, flour, oats, and other grains, with guidance on preventing freezer burn and pest contamination.
Herbs and Spices
Freezing and storage methods for fresh herbs, spices, and aromatics, covering the best ways to preserve flavor and extend shelf life.
Our standard
Why Trust Our Guides?
Research-backed information you can rely on for safe food storage.
Official Guidelines
All recommendations are based on USDA and FSA food safety standards.
Research-Backed
Every guide is grounded in FSIS, CDC, NHS, and FoodKeeper data.
Regularly Updated
Content is reviewed on a rolling basis against current food safety research.
Free printable resource
The ultimate freezing cheat sheet.
Fridge and freezer storage times for 119+ foods, in one beautifully designed guide, with US and UK guidance refreshed as the underlying food guides are reviewed.
Explore & Download the GuideMissing something?
Can't find what you're looking for?
We're constantly adding new foods to our database. Suggest a food and we'll research it for you.
Suggest a Food