TempoLife › Features › How long food keeps: fridge, freezer and pantry › cooked-poultry
Cooked poultry shelf life
Cooked poultry keeps 3-4 days in the fridge, 4 months in the freezer. Spoilage signs and the safe-handling notes, from the USDA Cold Food Storage Chart.
Storage at a glance
| Where | How long |
|---|---|
| Fridge (0-4 °C) | 3-4 days |
| Freezer (-18 °C) | 4 months |
Signs it has gone off
Off smell, slimy surface.
Safe handling
Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking; reheat to 74 C.
Storage times are guidance, not a guarantee. If it looks or smells wrong, do not taste it to check.
Source: USDA Cold Food Storage Chart / FDA-USDA FoodKeeper · checked 2026-09-03
Frequently asked questions
How long does cooked poultry last in the fridge?
3-4 days — stored sealed, at 4 C or below.
Can you freeze cooked poultry?
Yes — about 4 months for quality. Frozen at a constant -18 C it stays safe longer; the time is about taste and texture.
How do you know when cooked poultry has gone off?
Off smell, slimy surface. Trust the signs over any date.
Raw minced meat (beef, pork, lamb)
Fridge: 1-2 days · freezer: 3-4 months
Raw beef steaks and roasts
Fridge: 3-5 days · freezer: 6-12 months
Raw pork chops and roasts
Fridge: 3-5 days · freezer: 4-6 months
Raw lamb
Fridge: 3-5 days · freezer: 6-9 months
Raw whole chicken
Fridge: 1-2 days · freezer: 12 months
Raw chicken pieces
Fridge: 1-2 days · freezer: 9 months
Know the shelf life, plan the week
TempoLife puts the food plan next to your goals, so what you bought gets eaten, not binned.