Sandwiches are a tasty lunch option that’s easy to serve at parties and other large gatherings and convenient for brown baggers to carry on the go.
Deli meat is versatile, delicious, and easy to use because it is cooked and seasoned, ready-to-eat. Deli meat is sold by weight in the deli section of your grocery store, or pre-sliced and sold packaged in the meat section of the store, next to bacon, hotdogs, and ham.
Once you’ve opened a package of deli meat, or if you’ve purchased it sliced from the deli counter, it’s best to use it 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. If the package has already been opened, use a Ziplock, plastic wrap and/or tin foil to avoid freezer burn.
Deli turkey is a convenient and tasty staple that can be added to sandwiches, salads, snacks, and more. But with its shorter shelf life compared to whole turkeys, it’s important to pay attention to proper storage and signs of spoilage. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how long deli turkey lasts, how to store it, how to tell if it has gone bad, and what happens if you eat expired deli turkey.
How Long Does Deli Turkey Last?
The shelf life of deli turkey depends on a few factors:
Pre-Packaged Deli Turkey
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Unopened Can last 2 weeks in the fridge from the sell-by date
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After opening: Lasts 3-5 days in the fridge.
Freshly Sliced Deli Turkey
- Lasts 3-5 days in the fridge after purchase.
The preservatives used in processed deli turkey allow it to last longer than fresh sliced deli meats. Once exposed to air fresh and pre-packaged deli turkey have similar time frames lasting just a few days.
For optimal freshness and food safety, deli turkey is best consumed within 3-4 days of opening or purchasing fresh slices.
Proper Storage of Deli Turkey
To get the most out of your deli turkey before it expires, proper storage is key
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Refrigerate deli turkey right away, within 2 hours of purchasing.
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Store opened packages and fresh slices furthest back in the fridge, where it’s coldest.
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Keep refrigerator at 40°F or below. Use a thermometer to check.
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Write purchase or open dates on containers for tracking.
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Handle deli turkey with clean hands. Only touch what you will use.
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Keep deli turkey tightly sealed in original packaging or an airtight container.
Following these guidelines prevents bacterial growth and keeps deli turkey fresher for longer.
Freezing Deli Turkey
Freezing pre-packaged or freshly sliced deli turkey extends its shelf life significantly. Properly frozen, deli turkey can last 1-2 months in the freezer. For best quality, use frozen deli meats within this time frame.
To freeze:
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Place deli turkey in original packaging or freezer-safe container.
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Freeze sliced meats in portions to avoid thawing more than needed.
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Defrost deli turkey in the fridge overnight before using.
Once thawed, use deli turkey within 3-5 days for food safety. Do not refreeze thawed deli meats.
Signs Deli Turkey Has Gone Bad
Rely on your senses to determine spoiled deli turkey:
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Slimy texture or sticky film on surface
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Unpleasant sour or ammonia odor
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Change in color – paler or darker
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Hardened or dry texture around edges
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Excess liquid in packaging
If you notice any of these signs, err on the side of caution and throw away the deli turkey. Do not taste meat to determine freshness.
Consequences of Eating Expired Deli Turkey
Eating spoiled deli turkey can cause foodborne illness. While effects vary, possible symptoms include:
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Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps
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Diarrhea
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Fever, headache
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More severe cases may require hospitalization
Pregnant women, children, older adults and those with weak immune systems are at higher risk for food poisoning. When in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry and discardexpired deli turkey.
The Bottom Line
Deli turkey has a relatively short fridge life. For optimal freshness and food safety, consume pre-packaged deli turkey within 2 weeks of purchase, and opened packages or fresh sliced deli turkey within 3-5 days. Proper refrigeration and freezing extends the shelf life. Rely on your senses to detect spoiled deli turkey and discard when in doubt. Following these guidelines will allow you to enjoy deli turkey safely.
Types of Deli Meat
Deli meat is a broad term for pork, beef, poultry, and blends of the three, sometimes prepared in numerous ways. The name alone has variations, often referred to as lunch meat, cold cuts, sliced meat, sandwich meat, and luncheon meat. To better understand lunch meats’ shelf life and best storage practices, let’s first discuss the different types of deli meats and how they’re made.
How to Store Deli Meat
Except for dried cured shelf-stable meats like salami, jerky and some pepperoni, the way you store them is the same across the board. It doesn’t matter the type of meat or whether it was prepackaged or sliced at the deli. It’s best to keep your deli meat well-wrapped, preferably in a resealable bag, and stored in the bottom of the fridge to avoid cross-contamination from drips or contact with 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 purchased as shelf stable, not in the fridge, then it does not need to be refrigerated, but pay attention to the expiry date which will be listed on the package.
Don’t Waste it! Deli Meat – How long does it really last
FAQ
Is deli turkey good after 7 days?
If you are talking about commercial packages of deli turkey, then you can keep it for 7 days after opening (if your refrigerator is 41°F or less) with the day of opening being day 1 (FDA Food Code).
Can I eat deli turkey after 10 days?
The Best Way to Store Lunch Meat
It’s best to keep your fridge at 40° F to keep foods fresh as long as possible. Once open, lunchmeat should be eaten within five days. Freshly sliced deli meat should also be eaten within five days.
How long does sliced deli turkey last in the fridge?
Freshly sliced meat from the deli counter has the same shelf life as packaged deli meat once the package is opened. It will last for three to five days in the refrigerator.
How long is boar’s head deli turkey good for?
How long do your deli meats stay fresh in the refrigerator? Our products are not highly processed. In order for you to enjoy optimum flavor, we recommend that you do not purchase more product than you can consume within three 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.
How long does deli turkey lunch meat last?
Once opened, the clock starts ticking faster on freshness. An opened package of deli turkey lunch meat will last about 5-7 days in the fridge. To maximize the shelf life after opening, be sure to promptly remove any slices you will use and tightly reseal the package. Limiting air exposure prevents drying out.
How long can you eat deli turkey?
Whenever possible, eat your deli turkey within five days of purchasing it. If you wait any longer, you risk having it turn hard or feel slimy in your sandwich. You can get a few more days out of the meat if you keep it in a sealed bag or container.
How do you store turkey deli meat?
* Storage conditions: The most important factor affecting the shelf life of turkey deli meat is the storage conditions. Deli meat should be stored in a cool, dry place, such as the refrigerator. The ideal temperature for storing deli meat is between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too warm, the deli meat will spoil more quickly.
How long can you keep deli meat after opening?
It turns out that a week is pretty much the longest you can keep deli meat after opening it. USDA recommendations say that you can keep lunch meat in the refrigerator for three to five days after opening the package. While thats a good baseline to set, its difficult to give a firm limit on how long lunch meat lasts.
What factors affect the shelf life of turkey deli meat?
The shelf life of turkey deli meat depends on a number of factors, including the storage conditions, original packaging, processing methods, and other factors such as temperature, humidity, and light exposure. Factors affecting the shelf life of turkey deli meat The following are some of the factors that affect the shelf life of turkey deli meat: