Sandwiches make a tasty lunch that’s easy to serve at parties and other big events and easy for brown baggers to take with them.
Deli meat is versatile, delicious, and easy to use because it is cooked and seasoned, ready-to-eat. In the grocery store, deli meat is sold by the pound in the deli section. It is also sold already sliced and packaged in the meat section, next to bacon, hot dogs, and ham.
From the time you open the package or buy it sliced at the deli counter, deli meat should be used within three to five days. Packaged lunch meats come with a best before date. It’s best to consume the meat on or before this date or freeze it in its unopened package. Don’t let freezer burn happen if the package has already been opened. Use a Ziplock, plastic wrap, or tin foil instead.
Turkey slices are a popular deli meat that offer versatility for sandwiches, wraps, salads and more However, like any perishable food, they have a limited fridge life. Knowing how to store turkey slices properly and identify signs of spoilage is key to enjoying this nutritious protein while minimizing waste.
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about maximizing the shelf life of turkey slices including
- Optimal storage methods
- How long turkey slices keep in the fridge
- Recognizing spoiled turkey
- Food safety guidance
- Creative ways to use up leftovers
Arm yourself with these turkey slice storage tips and strategies for extra peace of mind and mealtime inspiration!
Proper Storage for Maximum Freshness
To get the most out of your turkey slices, the first step is storage. Here are some best practices:
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Keep packages sealed until ready to use. The airtight packaging helps block contaminants.
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Transfer opened turkey to a plastic bag or airtight container. Exposure to air speeds spoilage.
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Store in the fridge within 2 hours of purchasing or opening. Cold temperatures slow bacteria growth.
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Place turkey in the coldest part of the fridge – the back of the bottom shelf. Temperatures range from 37°F to 40°F here.
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Keep the fridge below 40°F. Higher temperatures reduce shelf life.
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Avoid overcrowding the fridge. This restricts air flow and humidity levels ideal for bacteria.
Following these simple guidelines gives your turkey slices the best shot at lasting over a week when unopened, and 3-5 days once exposed to air.
How Long Do Turkey Slices Last Refrigerated?
The shelf life of turkey depends on a variety of factors:
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Unopened, store-packaged turkey slices maintain quality 1-2 weeks beyond any sell-by date.
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Opened packages have a shorter shelf life around 3-5 days.
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Leftover sliced turkey, like from a deli, lasts just 3-4 days. The disconnected slices spoil quicker.
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Cooked turkey slices have a shelf life of 3-4 days. Heat can speed the growth of some bacteria.
No matter what form you buy turkey slices in, it’s important to go by appearance and smell rather than the calendar. If it maintains a normal color and aroma, turkey can often be enjoyed beyond the timeframes above.
Signs Your Turkey Has Spoiled
Relying on your senses is the best way to catch spoiled turkey slices. Watch for these common signs:
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Change in color from pink to gray, green or brown
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Slimy texture instead of being dry and firm
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Sour or off smell instead of mild freshness
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Mold growth – harmless but signals bacteria levels
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Dry, shriveled appearance indicating freezer burn
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Discoloration, dryness or funky smell after thawing previously frozen turkey
When you notice any of these changes, it’s safest to discard the turkey slices. Cooking spoiled meat can release toxins that cause food poisoning. Don’t risk it!
Turkey Safety Tips
Practicing food safety is also key to maximize the shelf life of turkey slices:
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Wash hands and surfaces before and after contact with raw turkey to avoid cross-contamination.
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Separate raw turkey from other foods in your fridge and shopping cart.
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Defrost frozen turkey in the fridge, not on the counter.
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Marinate in the fridge in covered containers. Don’t reuse marinade.
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Cook to 165°F until steaming hot. Use a food thermometer to verify.
Following safe handling and cooking guidelines reduces your risk of foodborne illnesses from turkey.
Creative Ways to Use Leftovers
If you have leftover turkey slices, avoid waste by repurposing them creatively. Try making:
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Turkey salad sandwiches with lettuce, cheese and mustard
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Hearty turkey chili or soup
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Breakfast skillet with turkey, veggies, eggs and cheese
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Turkey ranch wraps with lettuce, tomato and avocado
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Turkey club sandwich layered with bacon, cheese and mayo
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Fajita bowls with turkey, peppers, onion, rice and beans
With a little ingenuity, you can reinvent those extra turkey slices into all sorts of quick, delicious meals.
Shop and Store with Confidence
Now that you know how long turkey slices last and the best storage methods, you can shop and prep worry-free. Look for quality deli meat with at least a week before any sell-by date. Then keep your fridge below 40°F and your turkey tightly sealed.
Follow safe handling procedures, and discard slices at the first sign of spoilage. With this knowledge, you can enjoy turkey’s versatility and nutrition without waste. Just remember – when in doubt, throw it out!
Types of Deli Meat
Deli meat can be made from pork, beef, chicken, or a mix of the three, and it can be cooked in a number of different ways. It’s also called lunch meat, cold cuts, sliced meat, sandwich meat, and luncheon meat, just by its name. Before we talk about how to store lunch meats properly and how long they last, let’s talk about the different kinds of deli meats and how they’re made.
How to Store Deli Meat
All of them should be stored the same way, except for dried cured meats that don’t go bad, like salami, jerky, and some pepperoni. It doesn’t matter the type of meat or whether it was prepackaged or sliced at the deli. It’s best to store your deli meat in the bottom of the fridge, well-wrapped and preferably in a bag that can be sealed again. This will keep it from getting contaminated by drips or touching other foods.
Once opened, all meats including salami should be properly sealed, when refrigerated. Here’s a quick rule: if the meat was purchased refrigerated, then keep it refrigerated. If the meat was bought to be shelf stable and not kept in the fridge, it doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge. However, keep an eye on the expiration date that will be written on the package.
How Long Does Deli Meat Last (& Other Safety Tips for Buying Deli Meat) – Deli Meat 102
FAQ
Is deli turkey good after 7 days?
Does sliced turkey go bad in the fridge?
How long does Boar’s Head sliced turkey last in fridge?
How long can you keep cooked sliced turkey in the fridge?
How long can a Sliced turkey last?
Once refrigerated, leftover sliced turkey maintains optimal quality for 3 to 4 days If keeping the whole carved bird, it should be consumed within 1 to 2 days. Cooked turkey can be identified as spoiled if you notice an off smell, sliminess, or mold growth Discard any turkey that exhibits these signs of spoilage.
How long can you keep a Turkey in the fridge?
Use leftovers within 3 to 4 days for best quality. Discard any turkey that smells bad or feels slimy. Avoid overcrowding the refrigerator, which can hinder circulation of cool air. Refrigerate cooked stuffing and gravy separately from turkey. These sides also last 3 to 4 days.
How long does deli turkey last in the fridge?
You can usually expect packaged deli turkey to last less than a week in the fridge. If you keep the package sealed, you’ll get more time out of the turkey versus leaving it open to air exposure. Also, freezing the deli meat will make it last much longer; it just takes more planning because you’ll need to thaw it before eating it.
Can You refrigerate leftover Turkey?
Here are some best practices for storing leftover turkey in the fridge: Let turkey cool at room temperature for no more than 2 hours before refrigerating. This allows heat to dissipate evenly for safe cooling. Store turkey in shallow containers to allow quick, even chilling. Refrigerate right away in an appliance thermometer reads 40°F or below.
How long does frozen turkey last?
According to the USDA, frozen turkey maintains top quality for 2 to 6 months. For longer storage up to a year, some degradation of texture and flavor will occur. But frozen turkey remains safe indefinitely, provided temperature is consistently 0°F or below. Ideally, freeze any turkey leftovers you won’t use within 3 to 4 days.
How much Turkey is left after Thanksgiving?
After we do some quick turkey math, this suggests that, generally, households have somewhere between 2.5 and 11 pounds of turkey and turkey bones left after the Thursday Thanksgiving feast. That’s a lot of sandwiches. How long does turkey last in the fridge?