How long can you keep food in the fridge?

Who doesn’t know these dilemmas – should we eat the chicken left over from Shabbat even when several days have passed, or – should we eat cheese that was opened more than a week ago? If this happens to you quite often, here are some important rules that will help you keep the food fresh and safe.

Eggs – fresh and hard-boiled

• Fresh eggs – can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-5 weeks. It is recommended to place them on the inner shelf of the refrigerator, where the temperature is more stable compared to the door of the refrigerator.
• Hard-boiled eggs – after cooking, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, as long as they remain in their shells.

Cereals and cooked legumes

• Cooked rice – can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It is not recommended to keep it at room temperature, because it contains liquids that may cause it to spoil quickly.
• Cooked legumes, such as lentils and beans, can be kept for 3-4 days, but it is recommended to store them in an airtight container.
  

   

   

red meat

• Minced meat – should be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days or frozen.
• Fresh pieces of meat – can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
• Cooked meat can be used for up to 4 days in the refrigerator – if it is stored in an airtight container.

chicken

• Fresh chicken should be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days only.
• Boiled chicken Chicken can be used for up to 4 days, if it is stored in a closed container.

fish

Fresh fish – must be kept for up to two days in the refrigerator, cooked fish can be kept for 3-4 days.

boiled vegetables

Can keep in the fridge for 3-5 days if stored in a sealed box. Keeping them fresh will allow you to avoid absorbing odors from other food in the refrigerator.

 

 

 

Stews and soups

• Dishes that include meat or chicken – you should keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Soup (with or without meat) – can be used for up to 5 days, but you should always store it in an airtight container and heat it well before serving.

Bread and pastries

• Fresh bread – can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Pastries – are kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

 

* Pastries and bread can be frozen when necessary, to extend the time of use.

 

 

 

Milk and its products

• Milk – kept up to 7 days after opening. You should always pay attention to the appearance and smell, because these may indicate spoilage.
• Sour cream – is kept for a week in the refrigerator.
• Soft cheeses, such as cottage and white cheese, should be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days after opening. When using, it is recommended to use a dry spoon to prevent moisture penetration.
• Hard cheeses, such as Bulgarian or Tzafat, keep better and stay fresh for up to 5-7 days after opening, especially if they are stored in salt water or in an airtight container.

Additional tips for keeping fresh

1. You should avoid storing food at room temperature, as this may accelerate the spread of bacteria.
2. It is recommended to store all food in sealed containers to prevent odors from entering or drying out.
3. It is always recommended to check the validity of the food in the refrigerator, as well as to make sure that it is indeed fresh by appearance and taste.

In conclusion:
Keeping food properly in the refrigerator helps to avoid spoilage and health hazards. Careful storage will help keep the food fresh and prevent unnecessary expenses on spoiled food.

The writer is Ziv ZafarNi Clinical and sports dietitian