How Long Does Turkey Lunch Meat Last in the Fridge?

If an open packet of salami has been sitting in your fridge for almost a week, theres good reason to believe its time to throw it out.

There’s usually a few indications that your days-old deli meat is past its peak, but sometimes, there might not always be visible signs of spoilage.

Exactly how long does deli meat actually last, and what steps should you take to store it correctly? To understand the risks of consuming deli meat, we asked an expert to answer your FAQs.

Turkey lunch meat is a refrigerator staple for many households. 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?

In this article, we’ll provide a complete guide on the fridge life of different types of packaged and deli turkey lunch meats. We’ll also give 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

Smoked turkey – Cured with smoke for deeper flavor Common varieties are honey smoked and hickory smoked.
Roasted turkey – Oven roasted and typically brushed with broth and spices. Leaner and lighter taste.
Cajun turkey – Boldly seasoned with Cajun spices and herbs. Provides a kick of heat.
Honey turkey – Glazed with honey for a sweetness. May be smoked or roasted.
Pepper turkey – Coated with cracked peppercorns for peppery bite.
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:

Refrigerate unopened packages at 40°F or below.
Immediately refrigerate opened packages and deli-sliced meats.
Tightly rewrap opened packaged meat or store in airtight containers.
Place meats on interior refrigerator shelves away from extremes of temperature.
Consume refrigerated lunch meat within 3 to 5 days.
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:

Double wrap opened packaged slices or deli-sliced meats. Use freezer wrap or foil and plastic wrap. Remove as much air as possible.
Label packages with contents and freeze-by date (2 to 3 months).
Freeze lunch meat at 0°F or below.

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:

Unusual odor – Should smell fresh, not sour or off
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:

Follow “use-by” dates on packaged turkey lunch meat.
Discard deli-sliced turkey after 3 to 5 days.
Keep unopened packages refrigerated.
Avoid letting sit out of the fridge over 2 hours.
Always wash hands before handling lunch meats.
Use clean utensils and containers for storing.
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 aren’t 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 that’s not really the case.

Whether the date on your food says “best by,” “sell by,” or “use by,” it isn’t really about the product’s shelf life. Those dates are merely an estimate of when the food will be at peak quality. When the expiration date passes, the food doesn’t 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 USDA’s three-to-five-days rule is a good guideline to start with but don’t 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 it’s actually going bad.

The visual cues of spoilage are pretty obvious. If you see any trace of mold or discoloration, don’t eat that meat. However, you shouldn’t worry about any rainbow spots you might see. While it may be a little off-putting, it’s perfectly normal to see these. If rainbows are the only thing you see on the meat (and it passes the next couple of tests), it’s safe to eat.

If the lunch meat looks okay, it’s 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, it’s time to get rid of the meat.

Lastly, use touch to check for spoilage. As lunch meat goes bad, it becomes slimy, so if you feel a wet surface, you’re best off throwing the meat in the green waste (and washing your hands, of course).

Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?

According to the USDA, sealed packaged lunch meat can stay fresh in the fridge for 2 weeks after its sell-by date. After opening, it will keep for 3 to 5 days. Sealed deli meats are safe for a week past the sell-by date or 3 to 5 days after opening.

As a general rule, keep your refrigerator below 40°F and don’t let raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs sit out for over 2 hours (1 hour if it’s hotter than 90°F outside). Quickly cooking or freezing foods is the best way to maximize their shelf life.

Trust your nose over expiration dates. If meat smells sour or unpleasant, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Don’t taste food to determine if it’s spoiled! Discard meat if mold appears or if the color or texture seems off. Stay vigilant for signs of spoilage and you can safely enjoy lunchmeat before it expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I keep deli turkey after opening?

Once opened, deli turkey should be eaten within 3-5 days when properly stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or below.

Can I eat turkey lunchmeat 10 days after opening?

No, deli meats like turkey are only safe to eat within 3-5 days after opening. Discard any turkey lunchmeat more than 5 days

how long does turkey lunch meat last in the fridge

How can I tell if deli meat has gone bad?

Theres a few telltale signs that may indicate it’s time to discard an open packet of deli meat. Do not consume the meat if you notice any suspicious changes to its smell or appearance. For example, you should discard the meat if it is emanating an unpleasant smell, if a viscous, sticky film appears on it, or if there is mold growth, Seveau says.

However, it is important to note that there won’t always be visible indications of bacterial growth on deli meat. Listeria growth, for example, often does not have any smell, Seveau says.

For this reason, always be sure to discard deli meat that has been open for more than five days, per USDA recommendations. Additionally, discard the meat if it is past the expiration date, Seveau says.

How long is deli meat good for?

Official recommendations say deli-sliced or store-prepared lunch meat should be consumed within three to five days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Additionally, any opened vacuum-packets of sliced lunch meat should be consumed within three to five days. Unopened packets should be consumed within two weeks, the USDA recommends.

These recommendations run on the contingency that you’ve taken the steps to ensure the safe storage of deli meat. “What is critical is how the deli meat is conserved,” says Dr. Stephanie Seveau, PhD, a professor of microbial infection and immunity at The Ohio State University School of Medicine. Deli meat should be refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, according to the USDA.

After you’ve purchased any type of sliced lunch meat, be sure to refrigerate it immediately once you get home. If the deli meat is left out for a few hours “at a temperature that favors bacterial growth,” there will be risks to consuming it, Seveau says.