How Long Food Lasts

Guides

Foods you can't freeze

Foods that official sources say should not be frozen, and foods that can be frozen with a loss of quality. Last verified: October 1, 2026.

Do not freeze

FoodFormCan you freeze it?
ApricotsApricotsNot recommended
ArtichokesWholeNot recommended
AvocadosAvocadosNot recommended
Bagged greensLeaf, spinach, lettuce, etc.Not recommended
Bagged greensLeaf, spinach, lettuce, etc., openedNot recommended
BiscuitsRefrigeratedNot recommended
Breast milkGeneral guidanceNo
Canned goodsGeneral guidanceNo
Catfish pâté, cannedCatfish Pâté, CannedNo
CaviarFresh, in jarNot recommended
CaviarFresh, in jar, openedNot recommended
CheeseParmesan; shredded or gratedNot recommended
CheeseProcessed slicesNot recommended
CheeseSoft such as brie, bel paese, goatNot recommended
Chicken saladChicken saladNot recommended
Chiffon piesChocolate, lemonNo
Chiffon piesChocolate, lemon, openedNo
Citrus fruitLemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, tangerines, clementinesNot recommended
ClamsLive clamsNot recommended
ClamsFresh clamsNot recommended
CoconutCoconuts, freshNot recommended
Commercial brand vacuum-packed dinnersWith USDA sealNot recommended
Commercial brand vacuum-packed dinnersWith USDA seal, openedNot recommended
Cottage cheeseCottage cheeseNot recommended
Cottage cheeseOpenedNot recommended
CrabLive crabNot recommended
CreamWhipping, ultrapasteurizedNot recommended
CreamWhipping, ultrapasteurized, openedNot recommended
Cream cheeseCream cheeseNot recommended
Cream piesBanana cream, coconut cream, butterscotchNot recommended
Cream piesBanana cream, coconut cream, butterscotch, openedNot recommended
CucumbersCucumbersNo
Cut fruitFruit, cutNot recommended
Cut fruitFruit, cut, openedNot recommended
Danish pastryDanishNot recommended
Danish pastryDanish, openedNot recommended
DipsSour cream basedNot recommended
DoughnutsDoughnutsNot recommended
DoughnutsOpenedNot recommended
Egg saladEgg saladNot recommended
Egg substitutesLiquidNo
Egg substitutesLiquid, openedNo
Egg substitutesEgg substitutesNo
Egg substitutesOpenedNo
EggnogHomemadeNo
EggsIn shellNo
EggsRaw whites, yolksNot recommended
EggsHard boiled cookedNo
Fresh whole lobsterLiveNot recommended
GelatinGeneral guidanceNot recommended
GuavaGuavaNot recommended
HamCanned (“keep refrigerated” label)No
Ham saladHam saladNot recommended
HerringGlass packed, in wine sauceNot recommended
HummusCommercial (pasteurized, with preservatives)Not recommended
HummusCommercial (pasteurized, with preservatives), openedNot recommended
HummusTraditional (no preservatives, not pasteurized)Not recommended
JerkyCommercially driedNo
JerkyCommercially dried, openedNo
KefirFermented milkNot recommended
KefirFermented milk, openedNot recommended
Kiwi fruitKiwi fruitNot recommended
KumquatsKumquatsNot recommended
LeftoversGeneral guidanceNot recommended
LettuceIceberg, romaineNot recommended
LettuceLeaf, spinachNot recommended
LettuceGeneral guidanceNo
MayonnaiseCommercialNot recommended
MayonnaiseCommercial, openedNot recommended
Meat productsCannedNo
MilkLactose-freeNot recommended
MilkLactose-free, openedNot recommended
MisoMisoNot recommended
MusselsLive musselsNot recommended
MusselsFresh musselsNot recommended
OlivesFrom olive barNot recommended
OystersLive oystersNot recommended
OystersFresh oystersNot recommended
Pasta saladPasta saladNot recommended
PastriesPastriesNot recommended
PastriesOpenedNot recommended
PolentaShelf-stableNot recommended
PolentaShelf-stable, openedNot recommended
Potato saladPotato saladNot recommended
PotatoesUK adviceNot recommended
PuddingPuddingNot recommended
PuddingOpenedNot recommended
RadishesRadishesNot recommended
Rice milkRice milkNot recommended
Rice milkOpenedNot recommended
RicottaRicottaNot recommended
RicottaOpenedNot recommended
Salad dressingGeneral guidanceNo
Seafood salads(tuna salad, shrimp salad, salmon salad, mixed seafood salad, etc.)Not recommended
Sour creamSour creamNot recommended
Soy milkSoy milkNot recommended
Soy milkOpenedNot recommended
Tube cansOf biscuits, rolls, pizza dough, etc.Not recommended
Whipped creamAerosol canNot recommended
Whipped toppingAerosol canNot recommended

Can be frozen, with a loss of quality

FoodFormCan you freeze it?
BasilGeneral guidanceYes, with some quality loss
BerriesGeneral guidanceYes, with some quality loss
Black pepperGeneral guidanceYes, with some quality loss
CheeseGeneral guidanceYes, with some quality loss
ColeslawHomemade, preparedYes, with some quality loss
CreamGeneral guidanceYes, with some quality loss
Cream sauces, milk solidsCream sauces, milk solidsYes, with some quality loss
FrostingFrosting or icingYes, with some quality loss
FrostingFrosting or icing, openedYes, with some quality loss
GarlicGeneral guidanceYes, with some quality loss
HerbsGeneral guidanceYes, with some quality loss
Luncheon meat or poultryUK adviceYes, with some quality loss
OnionsUK adviceYes, with some quality loss
SalsaGeneral guidanceYes, with some quality loss
StrawberriesStrawberriesYes, with some quality loss
TomatoesTomatoesYes, with some quality loss