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
Sandwiches made with turkey lunch meat make for quick, easy meals and snacks. However, like any perishable food, turkey lunch meat has a limited shelf life Knowing how to store turkey lunch meat correctly is key to avoiding spoilage and waste With proper storage techniques, you can enjoy turkey sandwiches from your fridge for days.
Purchase Fresh Deli Meat
The first step in maximizing the shelf life of turkey lunch meat is buying high-quality deli meat to begin with. When purchasing pre-packaged turkey lunch meat, choose packages that are well within the expiration date marked on the label
For meat sliced fresh at the deli counter, pick turkey slices that have bright color without any dry, dull spots The deli meat should not have an off odor. Ask when the turkey was sliced to ensure it is freshly prepared that day.
Avoid pre-packaged or prepared lunch meat with torn packaging or that feels slimy. Discoloration or odor are signs the meat may be spoiled. Always check the use-by date and don’t purchase turkey lunch meat past its expiration.
Follow Safe Storage Temperatures
Once home, immediately store turkey lunch meat in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures are critical for slowing bacteria growth. Refrigerators should maintain a temperature of 40°F or below.
Make sure to place an appliance thermometer inside your fridge to monitor the temperature. Position turkey lunch meat on a shelf toward the back of the refrigerator, which tends to be the coldest area.
Never leave turkey lunch meat sitting out on the counter for more than two hours. The ideal storage time is less than one hour.
Utilize Proper Packaging
Pre-packaged turkey lunch meat retains freshness best when left in its original packaging. The materials used are designed specifically to prolong shelf life. Reseal packages tightly after each use.
For deli-sliced meats, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, wax paper, or parchment before refrigerating. Make sure there is no air trapped inside. You can also store the slices in a reusable container with an airtight lid.
Write the date sliced on deli meats to keep track of freshness. Discard any turkey lunch meat that has gone past 3-5 days refrigerated after opening or purchasing.
Monitor for Signs of Spoilage
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.
Discoloration, sliminess, dryness, or dullness are visual cues. Off odors, such as sourness or ammonia scents, also signal spoilage. If mold appears, throw the turkey lunch meat away immediately even if other areas look fine.
When inspecting for freshness, remember to check all surfaces of the meat, including undersides touching packaging. Don’t taste meat if you suspect it may be spoiled.
Follow First In, First Out
Using a first in, first out system helps ensure you consume turkey lunch meat while it’s at peak freshness. When unpacking groceries, place newly purchased packages behind older ones. This way the meat closer to expiration gets used sooner.
At the deli counter, ask for your freshly sliced turkey to be placed on a sheet of paper before wrapping it up. When ready to use it, grab slices from the top rather than the bottom layer first. Rotate stock.
Last Resort: Freezing Extends Shelf Life
If it seems your household won’t use up turkey lunch meat fast enough, freezing can prolong its shelf life. Frozen, unopened turkey lunch meat packages last 1-2 months. Opened packages and deli-sliced meats should get used within 2 weeks frozen.
To freeze, rewrap meat tightly in plastic wrap or place inside freezer bags with all air pressed out. Defrost turkey lunch meat overnight in the fridge before using to preserve quality.
Know When to Toss It
Ultimately, leftover turkey lunch meat that shows any signs of spoilage or has been open for more than 3-5 days in the refrigerator should get discarded. Reheating spoiled meat does not make it safe for consumption. Don’t risk foodborne illness.
Being diligent about monitoring shelf life, storage conditions, packaging, and signs of spoilage allows for maximum use of turkey lunch meat. Follow proper food safety protocols, and you can enjoy delicious turkey sandwiches without waste.
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
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 Long Does Deli Meat Last (& Other Safety Tips for Buying Deli Meat) – Deli Meat 102
FAQ
Is deli turkey good after 7 days?
Can I eat 5 day old deli turkey?
How long is sliced turkey good in the fridge?
How to tell if turkey lunch meat is bad?
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 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?”
How long does deli turkey last?
Deli turkey, also known as lunch meat or luncheon meat, is a popular sandwich filling that can be found at the deli counter or in packaged meats. The shelf life of deli turkey depends on various factors such as the packaging and storage conditions. In terms of shelf life, deli turkey can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator if stored properly.
How long does lunch meat stay fresh?
I often get freshly sliced lunch meat from the deli. I love to make sandwiches with fresh roast beef, turkey (especially honey-roasted turkey), ham, salami and other types of cold cut deli meats. Before I discovered a new way to keep the lunch meat fresh, the lunch meat would only stay fresh in my refrigerator for up to 3 days.