The Complete Guide to Freezing and Thawing Turkey Lunch Meat

Overstocked on cold cuts and wondering, can you freeze lunch meat? Yes! You can stash deli meat in the freezer to extend its shelf life.

Deli meat, also known as lunch meat, has a notoriously short shelf life—from savory to slimy in a handful of days. Yet while most home cooks are comfortable freezing chicken breasts or stew meat, many still wonder: Can you freeze deli meat?

The short answer is yes. Deli meat is one of those foods that freeze surprisingly well. It can be frozen for up to two months as long as it’s prepared and wrapped properly to preserve the texture and moisture content.

Turkey lunch meat is a refrigerator staple for many With its versatility for sandwiches, wraps, snacks, and more, it’s easy to always have turkey deli meat on hand. But like all fresh meats, it has a relatively short shelf life Freezing is an excellent way to extend the life of turkey lunch meat while preserving taste and texture. Read on for a comprehensive guide to properly freezing and thawing turkey lunch meats.

Benefits of Freezing Turkey Lunch Meat

Freezing offers many advantages for storing turkey lunch meat

Extends shelf life for months
Allows buying in bulk when on sale
Prevents waste from spoilage
Maintains quality when properly frozen
Allows defrosting only what you need
Provides ingredients for meals anytime

With the convenience of the freezer you can enjoy delicious turkey when you want it.

Guidelines for Freezing Turkey Lunch Meat

Follow these tips for successfully freezing turkey lunch meats:

Freeze promptly after purchasing for best quality.
Slice or portion deli meat before freezing for easier use.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in airtight bags, removing air.
Use freezer bags or foil as an additional protective barrier.
Label bags clearly with contents and date.
Freeze deli meat up to 2 months for optimal freshness.

Proper freezing methods prevent freezer burn and moisture loss.

Thawing Frozen Turkey Lunch Meat

Always thaw turkey lunch meat safely:

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for slow thawing.
Place freezer bag in cold water if thawing quickly. Change water often.
Microwave defrosting is okay for homemade cooked turkey.
Use thawed deli meat within 3 days for food safety.
Discard thawed deli meat with an off color or odor.

Slow thawing in the fridge preserves texture best. Enjoy thawed lunch meat in sandwiches, wraps, salads and more.

Freezing Different Types of Turkey Lunch Meat

Many varieties of packaged and fresh turkey lunch meats can be frozen:

Packaged sliced turkey – Freeze unopened packages up to 2 months. Opened can be frozen up to 2 months if properly wrapped.

Deli-counter turkey – Tightly wrap slices or portion pieces. Freeze up to 2 months.

Whole deli turkey breast – Wrap well and slice before freezing. Use within 2 months.

Cooked turkey – Cool completely before freezing sliced or portioned meat. Use within 2-3 months.

Seasoned turkey – Most seasoned turkey can be frozen but may lose some flavor.

Lunchable kits – Freeze unopened packages up to 2 months.

All turkey lunch meats can be frozen for long-term storage.

Using Frozen Turkey After Thawing

Previously frozen turkey lunch meat is perfectly safe to eat but should be used promptly. Here are some great ways to use thawed turkey:

Sandwiches and subs
Wraps
Tacos
Salads
Omelets or breakfast sandwiches
Casseroles or soups
Snacks with cheese or crackers
Pizza topping
Quesadillas or nachos

Get creative with thawed turkey meat in your favorite recipes!

Tips for Freezing Turkey Lunch Meat

Follow these top tips for freezing success:

Double wrap deli meat in plastic wrap and bags.
Portion into smaller packets for easy thawing.
Freeze sliced meats flat in a single layer.
Avoid refreezing previously thawed deli meat.
Label bags clearly with contents and date.
Use oldest frozen meats first.
Store deli meats towards the back of the freezer.
Defrost slowly in refrigerator overnight.
Use thawed meats within 3 days.

Proper freezing and thawing ensures your turkey lunch meat stays fresh and delicious.

Freezer Storage Times for Turkey Lunch Meat

Here are approximate freezer storage times for different turkey lunch meats:

Packaged sliced turkey – 2 months
Deli-counter turkey slices – 2 months
Whole deli turkey breast – 2 months
Cooked sliced turkey – 2-3 months
Turkey lunchable kits – 2 months

Store frozen meats at 0°F or below. Use thawed meat within 3 days.

Food Safety with Frozen Deli Meats

Always practice food safety when handling and storing turkey lunch meats:

Freeze deli meat before spoiled or before “use by” date.
Defrost in refrigerator, not at room temperature.
Cook frozen meats thoroughly to safe internal temperature.
Do not refreeze thawed deli turkey.
Discard turkey with an off smell or appearance after thawing.
Avoid cross contamination when handling raw meats.

Properly freezing deli meats prevents bacterial growth for long term storage.

Enjoy the Convenience of Frozen Turkey

Freezing turkey lunch meats makes it easy to enjoy sandwiches, salads, and snacks anytime. Follow these guidelines for freezing and thawing success. With proper handling, frozen turkey will retain its fresh look, taste and texture for months. Keep your freezer stocked with turkey lunch meat for quick and delicious meals!

can you freeze turkey lunch meat 2

How long can you freeze deli meat?

Opened	Fridge	Freezer
Fresh meat	3-5 days	1-2 months
Packaged meat	3-5 days	1-2 months
Unopened	Fridge	Freezer
Fresh meat	3-5 days	1-2 months
Packaged meat	2 weeks	2 months
Cured meat	2 months	3 months

It won’t last as long as frozen ground beef, but you can store most lunch meat in the freezer for up to two months. After that, the texture and flavor will probably deteriorate. Cured meats will still be tasty for up to three months.

This is how long any food will last in the freezer.

How to Freeze Deli Meat

Pre-packaged meat is the simplest: if the package is unopened, just toss it directly into the freezer. Wrapping the package in an outer layer—like a plastic grocery bag or aluminum foil—will help prevent freezer burn.

Fresh deli meat being packaged for proper freezing with a piece of wax paper between each slice TMB Studio

Sliced meat from the butcher counter or meat from an opened package needs to be wrapped. Lay individual slices on pieces of waxed paper or even paper towels, and freeze stacked in an airtight bag. Press the air out of the bag to preserve flavor and texture. When you’re ready to eat, take out as many or as few servings as you need.

Remember to follow these freezer organization best practices: Label the wrapper with the contents and the frozen-on date!

How I Freeze Lunch/Deli Meat to Keep the Taste/Texture Good (see part 2 got cut off)

FAQ

Is it okay to freeze turkey lunch meat?

Whether you buy yours from the deli counter or in vacuum-sealed packages, these sandwich essentials, including turkey, chicken, ham, bologna and roast beef, can turn slimy and unappetizing in a matter of days. The good news is that you can safely freeze any deli meat for up to two months.

Can you refreeze deli turkey?

Meat is often frozen to preserve and keep the product safe when it’s not going to be eaten right away. As long as the meat has been stored properly and thawed slowly in the refrigerator, it can be refrozen safely multiple times.

How long does turkey lunch meat last in the refrigerator?

After opening a package of lunch meats or buying sliced lunch meats at a deli, you can refrigerate them for three to five days. Keep your refrigerator at 40 °F or less). These meats can also be frozen for one to two months for best quality. Frozen foods are safe indefinitely (kept at 0 °F).

Can you freeze sandwich meat twice?

The answer is yes, you can refreeze meat if it has been frozen, but it must be handled properly. An example of proper handling is thawing the meat in a refrigerator.