Step 1: Dispose
Start by taking everything out of the fridge and collecting it on a free counter. If you plan to make this a leisurely activity, keep perishables fresh by transferring them into a cold cooler.
Next, say your long-overdue goodbyes to the stuff that’s expired. Packaged foods will have an expiration date, but if you have homemade meals or deli products in there, follow this guide:
Pasta, egg, or protein—chicken, tuna, etc.—salads: 3-5 days
Lunch meat, opened or deli: 3-5 days
Lunch meat, unopened: 2 weeks
Ground meat: 1-2 days
Fresh steaks, chops, and roasts: 3-5 days
Fresh poultry: 1-2 days
Soups and stews: 3-4 days
Leftover cooked meat/poultry: 3-4 days
