How long does deli meat last?
Lunch meat is a broad category that includes different types of meat, poultry and blends.Lunch meat is precooked, smoked or cured.The shelf life of lunch meat depends on a number of factors.
Store deli meats in a zip-lock bag in the refrigerator.If the environmental temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter, never keep them out at room temperature for more than two hours.
The meat can be eaten up to the date marked on the package.If you open the package within seven to 10 days, you can use it.If the packaging has a sell-by date, you can expect the sliced meat to stay good for seven to 10 days.
Freshly cut lunch meats, like those you get sliced at the deli counter or buy in a supermarket, have a slightly shorter life span.They stay good for about five days, but those made with minimal Preservatives may go downhill at around day three.The age of the product and how long the packaging was open affect the shelf life.
Precooked deli meats have the same handling and shelf life as smoked lunch meats.They must be kept refrigerated and not held unRefrigerated for more than two hours if it is outside.
smoked luncheon meats last until their indicated use-by date, when they are in factory-sealed packaging.You can eat them within seven to 10 days after opening the package.smoked lunch meats usually last around five days when freshly sliced at the deli or purchased in a pre-assembled deli meat tray.You can eat the meat within three days of the sell-by date.
You can't generalize about cured meats.Some are shelf stable, meaning they don't need to be refrigerated, while some are only stable until you open the package.Different meats can last from a few weeks to several months.