How long does frozen foods last?

It varies by item — the table on this page lists all 25 frozen foods products we track with their unopened, after-opening, and frozen windows from USDA FoodKeeper v128.

How do you tell if frozen foods has gone bad?

The general signs for this category: Heavy ice crystals or freezer burn; Dry, discoloured, or leathery patches; An off smell once thawed; A package that clearly thawed and refroze. Never taste something to test it — when in doubt, throw it out.

Frozen foods: how long does it last?

25 frozen foods items with published storage times.

Updated 2026-08-10 · Free · No sign-up

Item	After opening	Unopened / other	Store at
Dough (commercial (bread or cookie))	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Edamame (frozen)	—	2 years	Keep frozen at 0°F (−18°C) until you're ready to use it
Egg substitutes (frozen foods)	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fish (breaded)	—	Not recommended	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fish (raw but headed and gutted)	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Frozen entrees (prepared meals)	—	Not recommended	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Frozen potato products (fries, hashbrowns, tater tots)	—	Not recommended	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Frozen pretzels	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Fruits (such as berries, melons)	—	10–18 months	Keep frozen at 0°F (−18°C) until you're ready to use it
Ice cream	—	6 months	Keep frozen at 0°F (−18°C) until you're ready to use it
Ice pops	—	9 months	Keep frozen at 0°F (−18°C) until you're ready to use it
Juice concentrates	—	2 years	Keep frozen at 0°F (−18°C) until you're ready to use it
Kugel (commercial)	—	1 year	Keep frozen at 0°F (−18°C) until you're ready to use it
Lobster tails	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Pancakes, waffles	—	Not recommended	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Pizza (frozen)	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Polenta (frozen)	—	12 months	Keep frozen at 0°F (−18°C) until you're ready to use it
Sausages (precooked)	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Sausages (uncooked)	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Sherbet, sorbet	—	Not recommended	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Shrimp, shellfish	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Soy crumbles and hot dogs	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Soy meat substitutes	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Tempeh	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below
Vegetables (frozen foods)	—	3–4 days	Refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below

Tap any item for its full storage table, spoilage signs, and storage tips. A dash means no figure is published for that situation — not that it keeps forever.

Spotting spoilage in frozen foods

Heavy ice crystals or freezer burn
Dry, discoloured, or leathery patches
An off smell once thawed
A package that clearly thawed and refroze

General guidance for the category, not a per-product finding. When in doubt, throw it out.

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