You may be wondering, “Can I freeze lunch meat?” because you have a lot of different kinds of meat in your fridge. It would be a shame for them to go to waste, and buying in bulk when lunch meats are on sale could save you money on groceries.
Deli meat goes bad very quickly in the fridge, so it makes sense to wonder if you can freeze lunch meat that comes in a package or if you can freeze deli lunch meat from the butcher counter in the same way. While it’s best fresh, you can freeze lunch meat. To enjoy those tasty cold cuts for as long as possible, here’s what you need to know about freezing lunch meat.
Turkey lunch meat is a refrigerator staple for making quick sandwiches, wraps, and snacks. But like all fresh meats, it has a relatively short shelf life. Freezing is an excellent way to extend the life of turkey deli meats while preserving taste and texture. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about properly freezing and thawing turkey lunch meat.
Overview of Freezing Lunch Meats
Many people wonder – can you freeze lunch meat? The answer is yes! Freezing is safe for all types of packaged and fresh deli meats. It stops bacteria growth that causes spoilage With proper freezing methods, lunch meats can be preserved for up to 2 months while maintaining quality
Freezing lunch meat provides several advantages
- Extends shelf life for months
- Allows buying in bulk when on sale
- Prevents waste from spoilage
- Maintains freshness if frozen promptly
- Lets you defrost only what is needed
Almost all varieties of turkey lunch meat freeze well including sliced, diced seasoned, and whole deli breasts. Follow the guidelines below for freezing success.
Storing Lunch Meats for Freezing
To retain optimal texture and moisture when freezing, turkey lunch meat must be stored properly:
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Freeze promptly after buying for best quality. Don’t let deli meat linger in the fridge.
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Double wrap in plastic wrap or airtight bags, pressing out air. This prevents freezer burn.
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Portion into meal-size amounts so you can defrost only what you need.
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Use freezer bags as an additional layer to protect against air exposure.
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Label bags with contents and freeze date so you use oldest first.
Proper wrapping creates an air-tight seal that maintains fresh deli meat flavor and texture, even when frozen for months.
Freezing Different Types of Lunch Meat
Here are freezing guidelines for different varieties of turkey lunch meat:
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Packaged sliced turkey – Can be frozen unopened up to 2 months. Opened packages can also be frozen for 2 months if thoroughly wrapped.
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Fresh deli turkey – Tightly wrap slices or diced/shredded meat. Freeze for up to 2 months.
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Whole turkey breasts – Wrap well and slice or shred before freezing. Use within 2 months for best quality.
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Cooked turkey – Cool completely before freezing sliced, diced or shredded meat. Use within 2-3 months.
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Seasoned turkey – Most seasoned deli meat can be frozen, but may lose some flavor intensity.
With proper prep and storage, all types of packaged and fresh turkey lunch meats freeze well for long-term storage.
Thawing Frozen Lunch Meat Safely
Always thaw frozen deli meats gradually and safely:
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Refrigerator thawing – Place frozen meat in fridge overnight for slow, safe thawing.
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Cold water method – Seal meat in bag and submerge in cold water. Change water every 30 mins to thaw quickly.
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Microwave – Only for thin sliced meats for immediate eating. Defrost at 50% power in 30 sec increments.
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Cook frozen – Turkey deli meat can be cooked from frozen in casseroles or pasta sauces.
Once thawed, use refrigerated lunch meat within 3-5 days for food safety. Discard any meat with an off odor or color.
Tips for Freezing Success
Follow these tips for the best results freezing turkey lunch meats:
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Freeze meats in a single layer on a baking sheet before packaging to freeze quickly.
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Place wax paper between slices to prevent sticking when frozen.
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For faster thawing, portion meat in smaller packages or flatten before freezing.
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Avoid freezing in bulk for longer storage to prevent quality loss. Use within 2 months.
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When thawing, keep deli meat refrigerated until fully defrosted before use.
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Do not refreeze previously thawed turkey lunch meat. Cook within 3 days.
Proper freezing and thawing preserves freshness for months.
Enjoying Turkey Lunch Meat After Freezing
Previously frozen turkey lunch meat is perfectly safe to eat and retains great flavor and texture. It can be used in all the same ways as fresh deli meat:
- Sandwiches, subs, and wraps
- Salads and lettuce wraps
- Omelets, scrambles, and breakfast sandwiches
- Snacks with cheese slices or crackers
- Tacos, nachos, quesadillas
- Casseroles, soups, and pasta dishes
- Pizza and flatbread toppings
Get creative with thawed turkey meat in your favorite recipes! Properly frozen deli meat retains the convenience and versatility of fresh.
Storing Frozen Lunch Meat
For optimal quality, follow these frozen storage guidelines:
- Packaged sliced turkey – 2 months frozen
- Fresh deli turkey – 2 months frozen
- Whole turkey breasts – 2 months frozen
- Cooked turkey – 2-3 months frozen
Always freeze lunch meats at 0°F or below. Portioning into meal sizes makes defrosting quick and easy.
Food Safety Tips
Practice food safety when freezing and thawing turkey:
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Defrost frozen meats in the refrigerator, never at room temp.
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Cook defrosted meats to a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
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Avoid refreezing previously thawed deli turkey.
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Discard any meat that looks or smells bad after thawing.
Proper handling prevents bacterial growth and foodborne illness.
Convenience of Frozen Lunch Meat
Freezing gives you access to turkey lunch meat anytime for sandwiches, wraps, and more! Follow these guidelines for safe freezing and thawing. With proper storage, frozen deli meat retains the same fresh taste and texture for months. Keep your freezer stocked with turkey for quick, delicious lunches and snacks!
Can You Freeze Lunch Meat?
Definitely, you can freeze lunch meat! This could help you save money on groceries or store leftovers when you buy more than you can eat.
Can you freeze deli lunch meat? Yes, you can. You can freeze both packaged lunch meat and cold cuts from the deli counter. Because they have less water, cured meats like pepperoni, pastrami, and bologna tend to do very well in the freezer. Lunch meats like ham, turkey, chicken, and roast beef can be frozen just as easily, but the texture may change more when they’re thawed.
How To Freeze Lunch Meat
How should you freeze lunch meat so that it stays fresh? If the lunch meat is already packaged, you can just put any unopened packages in the freezer without doing anything else.
If you have already opened the lunch meat package or are freezing deli slices, you’ll need to do a few extra steps to make sure they stay fresh. Put a piece of wax paper between each slice of deli meat to keep them from touching. Then, put the meat in a plastic freezer bag or wrap it in plastic wrap and press out all the air before putting it in the freezer.
Put the lunch meat in the fridge and let it thaw for a few hours or overnight before you use it. Never thaw the lunch meat at room temperature, as this can allow illness-causing bacteria to bloom. It’s also not a good idea to defrost lunch meat in the microwave because it might thaw unevenly and change the texture of the meat. A little patience will pay off and have you enjoying those cold cuts in no time!.
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?
Can you freeze boar’s head turkey lunch meat?
Can you refreeze deli lunch meat?
How long does turkey deli lunch meat last in the fridge?
Can you freeze deli meat?
Freezing roasted turkey, ham, chicken and other deli meats is still possible, but the meat may be slightly wet upon defrosting. (Tips on that below!) You can freeze lunch meat in a large piece or in slices. For the best results, eat meat immediately after thawing.
Can you freeze cooked lunch meat?
It is generally not recommended to freeze lunch meat that has already been cooked, as it may affect the texture and quality. It is best to freeze lunch meat when it is still in its uncooked state for optimal results. In conclusion, freezing packaged lunch meat is a convenient way to extend its shelf life and reduce waste.
How long can packaged lunch meat be frozen?
When stored properly in the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below, packaged lunch meat can typically be stored for up to 2 to 3 months without a significant loss in quality. 3. Can I freeze opened packaged lunch meat? Yes, opened packaged lunch meat can be frozen as long as it has not exceeded its expiration date.
Can a turkey ham be frozen?
If you cook a turkey, chicken or ham for homemade sandwich supplies, these can be frozen as well. Be sure to let the meat cool completely before wrapping and freezing. It’s also best to remove the meat from the bone and cut or slice it into smaller pieces for freezing—slices and smaller pieces will defrost more easily, too.
How do you freeze a bag of lunch meat?
Squeeze as much air as possible from the bag. Seal the bag. Place the bag of lunch meat into the freezer and lay flat so that they will freeze flat. Use good quality freezer bags (this doesn’t necessarily mean name brand). Just check to make sure that the bag feels heavy and thick in your hand and that the seal works very well.
What can you do with frozen deli meat?
Pat the defrosted meat with a paper towel to remove any excess water. Rather than using previously frozen deli meat to make a sandwich, chop turkey into a casserole, toss ham into a pasta dish or use any lunch meat to top a pizza. Like using frozen cheese, a bit of heat brings frozen meat back to life.