Core Concepts
Frozen meat can be safe to eat indefinitely at 0°F or lower, but quality degrades over time due to freezer burn. Guidelines from the FDA help determine how long different types of meat can be stored in the freezer.
Abstract
When it comes to stocking up on food, freezing your meals and ingredients is a convenient way to ensure freshness for an extended period. While frozen meat can be safe to eat indefinitely at 0°F or lower, its quality will degrade over time due to factors like freezer burn. The FDA provides guidelines on how long different types of meats should be stored in the freezer, ranging from poultry lasting up to a year to cooked meats maintaining quality for shorter periods.
Stats
Whole chickens and turkeys: up to a year in the freezer.
Poultry pieces: consumed within nine months.
Raw steaks: six to 12 months.
Chops (beef, veal, lamb): four to six months.
Roasts (beef, veal, lamb): four months to a year.
Uncooked pork chops: four to six months.
Processed pork (bacon, sausage, hot dogs): one to two months.
Lean fish: six to eight months.
Fatty fish: two to three months.
Ground meat (beef, turkey, lamb): three to four months.
Cooked poultry dishes and fish: four to six months.
Other cooked meats (beef, veal, lamb, pork): two to three months.
Quotes
"Freezing your food is the best way to guarantee freshness."
"The quality of the meat will degrade due to things like freezer burn."
"Cooked meat doesn't maintain its quality in the freezer as long as raw meat does."