If an open packet of salami has been sitting in your fridge for almost a week, theres good reason to believe its time to throw it out.
There’s usually a few indications that your days-old deli meat is past its peak, but sometimes, there might not always be visible signs of spoilage.
Exactly how long does deli meat actually last, and what steps should you take to store it correctly? To understand the risks of consuming deli meat, we asked an expert to answer your FAQs.
Turkey lunch meat is a refrigerator staple in many households. Cold cuts like turkey make for quick and easy sandwiches, wraps and snacks. But with how often we eat deli meats food safety should be a top concern. Lunch meats are a leading cause of foodborne illnesses. So how long can you keep turkey lunch meat before it goes bad?
The USDA says sliced deli meats should only be kept for 3-5 days after opening. However, shelf life depends on the specific type of meat. Properly stored, lunch meats can stay fresh for up to 2 weeks unopened. Follow these tips to maximize turkey lunch meat shelf life and enjoy delicious sandwiches without waste or safety risks.
Buy Fresh
Always start with high-quality, fresh lunch meat for maximum shelf life. When buying pre-packaged turkey, inspect the expiration date and only select products well within the use-by timeframe.
For deli-counter meats, look for bright, moist turkey slices without dull or dry spots. The meat shouldn’t have any off odors. Ask when the turkey was sliced to ensure freshness.
Avoid deli meats with damaged packaging or an abnormal texture or appearance Only purchase turkey slices before the sell-by date.
Follow Proper Storage Temperatures
Once home, immediately refrigerate turkey lunch meat. Cold temps slow bacteria growth that causes spoilage and illness. Fridges should maintain 40°F or below.
Place an appliance thermometer inside your refrigerator to monitor the temperature. Store lunch meats toward the back on lower shelves, which tend to be coldest.
Never leave deli meats out for more than 1-2 hours. Leaving turkey unrefrigerated for too long significantly shortens its shelf life.
Utilize Proper Packaging
For pre-packaged turkey, keep it sealed in its original packaging until you’re ready to use it. The materials are designed to maximize freshness. After opening, carefully reseal the package fully.
Freshly sliced deli meats should get tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or wax/parchment paper to prevent air exposure. You can also use airtight containers.
Write the slice date on deli turkey so you know when it was prepared. Discard any turkey open for more than 3-5 days.
Monitor for Signs of Spoilage
Even when stored properly, turkey lunch meat eventually shows signs of spoiling. Look for changes in color, smell, texture, and appearance.
Discoloration, sliminess, dryness, and dullness indicate spoiled meat. Strong sour, ammonia, or yeasty odors also mean toss it. Discard at first signs of mold.
Inspect all surfaces thoroughly, including undersides touching packaging. Don’t taste meat you think may be spoiled.
Follow the First In, First Out Method
Use a first in, first out system to ensure you eat turkey slices at peak freshness. Place new packages behind existing ones. Older meat gets used first.
At the deli counter, place freshly sliced meat on a sheet of paper before wrapping it. When using, take slices from the top layer first. Rotate stock.
Freezing Can Extend Shelf Life
If you won’t use up turkey fast enough, freezing can prolong its shelf life. Unopened packages last 1-2 months frozen. Opened packages or loose deli slices should get used within 2 weeks in the freezer.
To freeze, tightly wrap meat in plastic wrap or freezer bags, removing excess air. Defrost overnight in the fridge before using.
Don’t hesitate to toss spoiled meat
Ultimately, if turkey lunch meat shows any signs of spoilage or has been open for more than 3-5 days, it must get thrown out. Don’t take risks by tasting or trying to recook spoiled meat.
By following proper food safety practices, you can maximize turkey lunch meat shelf life. Monitor storage, packaging, dates, signs of spoilage, and use good judgment. This allows you to safely enjoy delicious sandwiches and wraps without waste.
How long is deli meat good for?
Official recommendations say deli-sliced or store-prepared lunch meat should be consumed within three to five days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Additionally, any opened vacuum-packets of sliced lunch meat should be consumed within three to five days. Unopened packets should be consumed within two weeks, the USDA recommends.
These recommendations run on the contingency that you’ve taken the steps to ensure the safe storage of deli meat. “What is critical is how the deli meat is conserved,” says Dr. Stephanie Seveau, PhD, a professor of microbial infection and immunity at The Ohio State University School of Medicine. Deli meat should be refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, according to the USDA.
After you’ve purchased any type of sliced lunch meat, be sure to refrigerate it immediately once you get home. If the deli meat is left out for a few hours “at a temperature that favors bacterial growth,” there will be risks to consuming it, Seveau says.
How can I tell if deli meat has gone bad?
Theres a few telltale signs that may indicate it’s time to discard an open packet of deli meat. Do not consume the meat if you notice any suspicious changes to its smell or appearance. For example, you should discard the meat if it is emanating an unpleasant smell, if a viscous, sticky film appears on it, or if there is mold growth, Seveau says.
However, it is important to note that there won’t always be visible indications of bacterial growth on deli meat. Listeria growth, for example, often does not have any smell, Seveau says.
For this reason, always be sure to discard deli meat that has been open for more than five days, per USDA recommendations. Additionally, discard the meat if it is past the expiration date, Seveau says.
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?
For this reason, always be sure to discard deli meat that has been open for more than five days, per USDA recommendations. Additionally, discard the meat if it is past the expiration date, Seveau says.
How long is sliced deli turkey good 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 does Turkey lunch meat last?
Sliced cold cuts can be stored in a food storage bag, with any extra air squeezed out before it’s sealed. Be sure to wash your hands before and after handling turkey, especially if it’s raw. If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How to tell if turkey lunch meat is bad?
How long do Turkey cold cuts last in the fridge?
Turkey cold cuts, whether pre-packaged or freshly sliced, can last for about 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator if unopened. Once opened, they should be consumed within 3-5 days. I’ve been there, you’ve been there – staring at a package of lunch meat in the fridge, wondering, “How long is lunch meat good for?”
Can Turkey lunch meat be refrigerated?
Discard any turkey lunch meat that has gone past 3-5 days refrigerated after opening or purchasing. Even when properly stored in the fridge, turkey lunch meat eventually will show signs of spoiling. Look for changes in color, texture, and smell that indicate the meat is no longer fresh.
How long does turkey deli meat last?
Cook turkey lunch meat to 165°F if reheating. Following safe food handling and storage methods helps prevent foodborne illness from turkey deli meats. When properly stored, unopened packaged turkey lunch meat lasts 2 weeks past the sell-by date and opened packages or deli meats last 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
How do you store Turkey lunch meat?
Practice food safety when handling turkey lunch meats: Follow “use-by” dates on packaged turkey lunch meat. Discard deli-sliced turkey after 3 to 5 days. Keep unopened packages refrigerated. Avoid letting sit out of the fridge over 2 hours. Always wash hands before handling lunch meats. Use clean utensils and containers for storing.
How long does Sliced turkey last in the fridge?
Per foodsafety.gov and the USDA, refrigerated lunchmeat lasts 3 to 5 days after opening or up to 2 weeks in an unopened package. Lunchmeat can be stored the freezer for 1 to 2 months. How long is sliced turkey good in the fridge? Sliced cold cuts can be stored in a food storage bag, with any extra air squeezed out before it’s sealed.