You probably have lunch meat in your refrigerator right now. Its a household staple for a reason. Cold cuts are tools of convenience, the key to following a delicious club sandwich recipe or Italian sub recipe. Many of us eat cold cuts on an almost daily basis. Unfortunately, deli meat is also one of the most common sources of food poisoning. Advertisement
With how frequently we eat lunch meat, it seems like the kind of thing you ought to buy in bulk, so you can fuel yourself through a week of lunches at the least. 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. It really depends on the type of meat and how it was originally packaged. Fermented and dried meats, such as salami, soppressata, and prosciutto, last longer than other meats, up to three weeks, according to the USDA. Freshly sliced deli meats also spoil more rapidly than packaged ones. Of course, all of these meats are likely to come with an expiration date but those can only tell you so much. Advertisement
Turkey lunch meat is a refrigerator staple for many. With its versatile flavor, it can be used in sandwiches wraps, salads and more. But with its shorter shelf life compared to whole turkeys, you may wonder – how long does turkey lunch meat last in the fridge?
Follow this complete guide to learn about the fridge life of different types of packaged and deli turkey lunch meats. You’ll also get tips on safe storage and signs of spoilage so you can enjoy turkey until the last savory slice.
Overview of Turkey Lunch Meat Types
There are a few main categories of turkey lunch meat found at the deli counter or in pre-packaged slices
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Smoked turkey – Cured with smoke for deeper flavor. Common varieties are honey smoked and hickory smoked.
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Roasted turkey – Oven roasted and typically brushed with broth and spices Leaner and lighter taste
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Cajun turkey – Boldly seasoned with Cajun spices and herbs. Provides a kick of heat.
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Honey turkey – Glazed with honey for a sweetness. May be smoked or roasted.
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Pepper turkey – Coated with cracked peppercorns for peppery bite.
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Low sodium turkey – Contains 25% less sodium than regular turkey lunch meat.
How Long Does Unopened Packaged Turkey Lunch Meat Last?
Properly stored unopened packaged turkey lunch meat will maintain best quality for:
- 2 weeks in the refrigerator
The sodium nitrite and nitrates used as preservatives allow the turkey to stay fresh longer. As long as the unopened package is continuously refrigerated, it will last about 2 weeks past the sell by date before deteriorating.
How Long Does Opened Turkey Lunch Meat Last?
Once opened, packaged turkey lunch meats and deli-sliced turkey lunch meats have the shortened fridge life of:
- 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator
Even when stored correctly, exposure to air and handling reduces the shelf life. Keep deli-sliced meats no longer than 3 to 5 days.
For opened packaged slices, rewrap tightly in original packaging or an airtight container. Refrigerate and use within 3 to 5 days.
Proper Storage of Turkey Lunch Meat
To get the full shelf life out of your turkey lunch meat:
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Refrigerate unopened packages at 40°F or below.
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Immediately refrigerate opened packages and deli-sliced meats.
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Tightly rewrap opened packaged meat or store in airtight containers.
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Place meats on interior refrigerator shelves away from extremes of temperature.
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Consume refrigerated lunch meat within 3 to 5 days.
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Freeze for longer term storage.
With proper storage methods, you can enjoy turkey lunch meat up to the recommended time frames.
Does Turkey Lunch Meat Freeze Well?
Freezing helps turkey lunch meat last longer. To freeze:
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Double wrap opened packaged slices or deli-sliced meats. Use freezer wrap or foil and plastic wrap. Remove as much air as possible.
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Label packages with contents and freeze-by date (2 to 3 months).
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Freeze lunch meat at 0°F or below.
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Once thawed, refrigerate and use within 3 to 5 days.
With proper freezing techniques, turkey lunch meat keeps 1 to 2 months with good quality. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
How to Tell When Turkey Lunch Meat is Bad
Check turkey lunch meats for signs of spoilage before eating:
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Unusual odor – Should smell fresh, not sour or off
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Discoloration – Should be uniform color, not grey or green
-Sliminess – Should not feel excessively sticky or tacky
- Mold – Should not have fuzzy or spotty mold growth
When in doubt, remember the old adage “When in doubt, throw it out” applies to deli meats. Discard turkey lunch meat if it seems spoiled.
Safety Tips for Turkey Lunch Meat
Practice food safety when handling turkey lunch meats:
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Follow “use-by” dates on packaged turkey lunch meat.
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Discard deli-sliced turkey after 3 to 5 days.
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Keep unopened packages refrigerated.
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Avoid letting sit out of the fridge over 2 hours.
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Always wash hands before handling lunch meats.
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Use clean utensils and containers for storing.
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Cook turkey lunch meat to 165°F if reheating.
Following safe food handling and storage methods helps prevent foodborne illness from turkey deli meats.
The Bottom Line
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. For maximum safety and quality, follow use-by dates, refrigerate promptly, monitor for spoilage, and practice good food safety. With the right handling, you can enjoy the versatility of turkey lunch meat until the very last slice.
Expiration dates can be misleading
We tend to put a lot of faith in expiration dates to save us from the risk of food poisoning. Unfortunately, though, they arent as reliable as you think they are. There are no government regulations regarding food expiration dates, so each manufacturer is free to set their own guidelines. Without guidelines and resources to clearly explain expiration dates, most of us have come to believe something totally untrue. You probably think that the expiration date on your lunch meat signifies when it will go bad, but thats not really the case. Advertisement
Whether the date on your food says “best by,” “sell by,” or “use by,” it isnt really about the products shelf life. Those dates are merely an estimate of when the food will be at peak quality. When the expiration date passes, the food doesnt go bad right away. It stays edible for a few more days. Expiration labels and USDA guidelines err on the side of caution, which is generally a good thing. Among the ways to reduce food waste is knowing when your lunchmeat actually becomes unsafe to eat. though. The best way to determine when lunch meat has gone bad is to use your own judgment.
How to tell when lunch meat has gone bad
The USDAs three-to-five-days rule is a good guideline to start with but dont assume you need to pitch your meat on the sixth day. As previously mentioned, different types of meat have different shelf lives. As that five-day period comes to a close, give your lunch meat a close inspection. Your senses can tell you if its actually going bad. Advertisement
The visual cues of spoilage are pretty obvious. If you see any trace of mold or discoloration, dont eat that meat. However, you shouldnt worry about any rainbow spots you might see. While it may be a little off-putting, its perfectly normal to see these. If rainbows are the only thing you see on the meat (and it passes the next couple of tests), its safe to eat.
If the lunch meat looks okay, its time to move on to the smell test. Sour or yeasty odors are a sure sign of spoilage. A good tip is to take a whiff of the meat as soon as you open the package, so you know what it smells like fresh. Once that aroma changes, its time to get rid of the meat. Lastly, use touch to check for spoilage. As lunch meat goes bad, it becomes slimy, so you feel a wet surface, youre best off throwing the meat in the green waste (and washing your hands, of course). Advertisement
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
Is deli turkey good after 7 days?
Can you eat 10 day old deli turkey?
How to tell if turkey lunch meat is bad?
How long does sliced turkey last in the fridge?
How long does Turkey lunch meat last?
Turkey lunch meat, whether it’s pre-packaged or freshly sliced, follows a similar shelf life pattern as other lunch meats. Unopened packages can last for about 2-3 weeks in the fridge, while opened packages should be consumed within 3-5 days. So, gobble up that turkey goodness while it’s at its freshest!
How long does turkey deli meat last?
So, let’s take a closer look at the shelf life of specific deli meats like turkey and Boar’s Head. Turkey lunch meat, whether it’s pre-packaged or freshly sliced, follows a similar shelf life pattern as other lunch meats. Unopened packages can last for about 2-3 weeks in the fridge, while opened packages should be consumed within 3-5 days.
How long can lunch meat be refrigerated?
Packaged lunch meats can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks before opening. 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.
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?”