Answer: Most types of sandwiches can be safely left out at room temperature for about two hours — or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. But it depends on the type of sandwich.
Sliced turkey is a popular choice for sandwiches and meals. But with its perishable nature, it’s important to store and handle it properly to prevent foodborne illness. So how long can sliced turkey be left out before it becomes unsafe to eat?
Factors That Affect How Long Sliced Turkey Can Be Left Out
Several factors determine how long sliced turkey can sit at room temperature before bacteria growth makes it unsafe These include
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Type of turkey: Sliced deli turkey will have a shorter shelf life than fresh sliced turkey from a whole turkey breast. Deli meats contain preservatives to extend shelf life.
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Time and temperature: The longer sliced turkey sits out at temps above 40°F, the greater the risk of bacteria growth. After 2 hours above 40°F, turkey enters the danger zone for rapid bacteria growth.
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Contamination Bacteria introduced during the slicing process or from contact with unsanitary surfaces can grow rapidly on turkey left out too long Proper handling when slicing and storing helps prevent this,
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Packaging: Freshly sliced turkey left loosely wrapped or unwrapped will deteriorate faster than turkey tightly wrapped to prevent oxygen exposure.
Refrigerator Storage Time for Fresh Sliced Turkey
For optimal safety and quality, the USDA recommends using or freezing fresh sliced raw turkey within just 1-2 days. Turkey slices should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to verify the temperature if needed.
Tightly wrap sliced turkey breast to prevent drying out and cover the surface with plastic wrap to block oxygen. Don’t overfill containers, which slows cooling. Label the package with the date sliced.
How Long Sliced Deli Turkey Lasts Refrigerated
The shelf life of sliced packaged deli turkey depends on whether it’s been opened or not:
- Unopened: 2 weeks
- Opened: 3 to 5 days
As soon as you open the package, the turkey’s shelf life shortens due to exposure to air, handling, etc. Be sure to tightly rewrap opened packages and refrigerate. Discard any discolored, dried out or slimy slices.
How Long Sliced Turkey Can Be Left Out at Room Temperature
Both fresh sliced turkey and deli turkey should not sit out at room temp for over 2 hours before refrigerating. Bacteria grow rapidly on turkey between 40°F and 140°F. In just 2 hours, turkey can become unsafe, especially if contaminated during slicing.
After 1 hour, sliced turkey should be refrigerated or discarded. Don’t take chances by leaving it out longer. If the weather is hot (over 90°F), sliced turkey shouldn’t sit out for more than just 1 hour before refrigerating.
When transporting sliced turkey or taking it to a picnic, keep it chilled below 40°F with ice packs or an insulated cooler. Discard any turkey left out longer than 2 hours; don’t risk getting sick.
Can Sliced Turkey Be Refrozen?
You can safely refreeze sliced raw turkey if it was properly handled and hasn’t sat at room temperature for over 2 hours. But the turkey may suffer some loss of quality after thawing and refreezing.
Thaw frozen sliced turkey cuts in the refrigerator, never on the counter or in hot water. Then rewrap tightly and refreeze immediately. Don’t refreeze thawed turkey that was left out too long before refrigerating.
Cooked sliced turkey also can be safely refrozen but won’t taste as good. Eat refrozen cooked turkey within 3 to 4 months for best quality.
How to Know When Sliced Turkey Has Gone Bad
Over time, spoiled turkey develops an off odor, slimy texture and discoloration. But harmful bacteria like listeria, salmonella and E. coli may be present before obvious signs of spoilage. So it’s important to follow the safe handling and storage times listed above.
Discard sliced turkey if:
- It has a foul odor, sticky or tacky texture.
- The color is very different from when purchased.
- You aren’t sure how long it was left out at room temperature.
- It has mold, which can grow even when refrigerated.
- It has passed the safe refrigerator storage times above.
Don’t taste questionable turkey to determine if it’s spoiled – you could risk severe food poisoning. Play it safe and remember, “When in doubt, throw it out.” Following proper storage, use and handling of sliced turkey helps prevent foodborne illness.
Sandwiches made with perishable ingredients (such as meat, eggs, fish)
The two-hour timeframe (or one hour, if above 90 degrees Fahrenheit) applies to sandwiches made with deli meats (such as turkey, ham, chicken, bologna and roast beef); sandwiches made with other cooked foods, including egg salad, chicken salad and tuna sandwiches; and sandwiches made with cut vegetables like lettuce and sliced tomatoes.
The United States Department of Agriculture notes that it’s dangerous to eat cold cuts, sliced deli meats, cooked foods and cut vegetables that have been allowed to sit out at room temperature for two hours or longer (or 1 hour above 90° F). The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when these foods are kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F. If sandwiches containing these ingredients have been left out of the fridge for longer than this timeframe, they should be discarded.
If you’re packing a sandwich that contains any of these perishable ingredients and you don’t expect to be eating it within two hours of leaving home (and you wont have access to a refrigerator within that same timeframe), be sure to pack ice or a frozen gel pack along with the sandwich to keep it colder and safer longer.
How Long Can You Leave Food Out?
How long can you leave a cooked turkey out?
Once your turkey is cooked, you want to refrigerate the bird at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or eat well within two hours of removing the bird from the oven. How long can uncooked turkey be left out? Throw away turkey, stuffing, and gravy left out at room temperature longer than 2 hours (1 hour in temperatures above 90 °F).
How long can a Turkey sit out?
A turkey can sit out for a maximum of two hours in the temperature danger zone of 40 to 140 degrees F. If the room temperature is above 90 degrees, limit the time that turkey sits out to only one hour. After that time, it must be put away in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria on the surface.
How long does Sliced turkey last?
FINE CUT: Our sliced turkey has a mild, yet flavorful, blend of seasoning that is as healthy as it is delicious. PACKAGED FRESH: Our Turkey is sealed in airtight packaging and ships with reusable ice packs. The vacuum-sealed deli meat has a shelf life of 45 days in the original packaging. Consume within 5 days after opening.
How long should a Turkey sit out after Thanksgiving?
No matter if you’re first cutting into a freshly baked bird or using your Thanksgiving Day leftovers to make a tasty snack, turkey cooked, raw, or frozen should never sit out longer than the 2-hour window advised by the USDA. That said, when it comes to leftover turkey, it’s easy to avoid that danger zone of 40˚F.