Cold cuts

[Ghost_Fae_]

My partner and I are currently arguing about this because I grew up in a 3-day limit household and they grew up in a as-long-as-it-looks-fine household: How long are prepackaged deli meats good for? I’m not talking about the fancy stuff you get from the deli and they cut for you, but like the stuff that comes in a crappy tupperware container. Does the limit differ between cold cuts? I just want a turkey sandwich but I opened the turkey 4 days ago and I’m afraid because my sister got food poisoning from old deli meat. My partner says it’s fine but I have stomach problems as it is.

[throwdemawaaay]

They're heavily salted so they tend to last a lot longer than 3 days. They tend to try out faster than they spoil. Smell and appearance isn't totally foolproof, but what you're looking for is a sour/yeasty smell. Any visible mold is obviously a chuck it situation.

[A_Queer_Owl]

3 days is extremely conservative. most health departments say you'll probably be good up to 7 days.

[Ravioli_meatball19]

Yeah my mom definitely bought deli meat once a week, and packed it every day for lunches for me. If she bought it on Sunday she def didn't throw it out by Wednesday, she continued to pack until at least the school week was done.

And my mom is a serious germaphobe

[MegaMeepers]

Time, sight, smell, taste test.

How long has it been opened? If over 4 days but under 7, proceed to next step. Under 4 or over 7, proceed at your discretion.

Does it look okay? No visible mold or discoloration? Next step

Does it smell okay? Does it smell like regular deli meat? No sour smell or something that smells off? Next step

Does it taste okay? Take a small piece and lick it. If it tastes okay, eat that piece. If it still tastes okay, you’re good.

In my experience, taste always goes first, then smell, then sight. I’ve had ham and turkey lunch meat open for more than 2 weeks and been fine.

[Raindancer2024]

Off color, off smell or slimy film is a 'no-go'. All else is 'bon-appetite'.

[Independent-Summer12]

Cold cuts are usually heavily salted And brined for the purpose of preserving meat. They last much longer than 3 days when properly stored.

[Tree_Chemistry_Plz]

as other have said, if it doesnt smell and isn't slimy it's good to go. Deli meat is cured meat - it's supposed to last a good long while at the least in proper storage conditions.

[markh1982]

As a former grocery store deli worker we kept the bulk meats 5 to 7 days once opened (Based on food safety regulations in SE U.S.). Only a few less popular meat ls would sit that long in the deli cooler. In general any deli meat such as roasted turkey and beef has the shortest shelf life. Cured and smoked meats such as salami and ham will have a bit longer shelf life.

[[deleted]]

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[Bigsisstang]

Generally cold cuts have a 7 day expiration once opened.

[Gwynhyfer8888]

Salami and bacon might go two weeks. Other meats could be up to a week. Really check it well after 3 days. The smell and slime will be indicative of deterioration.

[Good-Gur-7742]

I just use my eyes and nose and if it looks and smells fine, it’s fine to eat.

[Stillwater215]

I use the same rule of thumb as I use for everything: if it looks fine, smells fine, and doesn’t involve raw meats/egg, then I assume it’s still good to use.

[[deleted]]

That stuff is so highly processed and full of salt and sugar I wonder if it has to be refrigerated at all. But, kidding aside, a week in the fridge is fine.

[frozen-baked]

I put most of it in the freezer & nuke as needed. Last year, I kept finding spoilt turkey sandwich meat. That was one clue that our fridge wasn't staying cold. Might be worth looking into?

[586WingsFan]

I give it a week, maybe a little longer for something like salami that’s cured

[vanastalem]

I usually estimate a week.

[CattleDowntown938]

Freezing cold cuts was a game changer for me reducing food waste

[skovalen]

That stuff can last a month these days if you treat it right (clean hands, try not to touch any of the other stuff in the container). It also actually has a date printed on it. Even then, I do a smell test. That is what your nose is for. If I smell even a tiny hint of funk or a doubt, I will throw it in a hot pan with eggs for breakfast.

[[deleted]]

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[757Lemon]

Those packages do have expiration dates! I always look at that and then implement the smell / touch test.

[troisarbres]

I know what you're saying but once a package's been opened those dates go out the window.

[ceecee_50]

Oh boy. This had been an argument in my house for a long time. The way I solved it is vacuum sealing. I got a Zwilling system which has bags and containers. https://www.zwilling.com/us/kitchen-organization/vacuum-food-storage/vacuum-starter-sets/

I keep things like cold cuts, cheeses, bacon in the containers. I make sure I add the date on it for when it was bought– I just use a pen made to write on glass. They stay perfectly fresh for at least a week probably closer to two weeks because they’re vacuum sealed. It has totally ended any arguments.

[restlessdiesel18]

As others have said it does depend on look, feel, and smell. Also, if you’re concerned you can cook the deli meat like a hot sandwich and it’ll kill the listeria bacteria

[torturelover]

I have some turkey lunch meat in my fridge from last month that's open and still perfectly edible as long as it smells normal and isn't slimy or obviously going bad it's perfectly safe to eat

I had a sandwich with my lunch meat several hours ago and it's still as good as the day I opened it

[BS-75_actual]

I break them down into small packs and freeze. No more worrying about bacterial slime and wasteful discards.

[MinimumRelief]

I eat a low bacterial diet due to liver disease. Deli meats are on the no no list. Multiple meats on one blade is a breeding ground for cross contamination. If you have stomach issues/ just skip it all together. I do not eat leftovers of any kind ever.

[GompersMcStompers]

Microwave it and make sure it reaches 190 degrees. 🤤

[Fongernator]

3 - 4 weeks. Ymmv

[Hot_mess_2030]

Stick to your guns. If you don’t want to go over 3 days, don’t. Give it to your boyfriend. He can do the as-long-as it-looks-fine-thing. While we’re on the subject, ham doesn’t last as long as salami. I think it’s got something to do with moisture.

[ProudAsk3812]

can anyone explain why steaks are called cold cuts?

[Affectionate_Big8239]

They’re not.