Deli chicken is one of the most popular foods in America, and with good reason. However, how long does deli chicken last? The meat is usually cooked, shredded or sliced and eaten on its own or mixed into a sandwich.
What is Deli Chicken?
It is a pre-cooked product that can be eaten right out of the package, sliced and used in salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta dishes or more.
It’s perfect for busy people who don’t have time to cook a whole chicken but want homemade flavors on their plates. Unlike rotisserie chicken which involves rotating spits, deli chicken is cooked in ovens or on cooking stands.
Check out our blog articles on how long can you keep turkey bacon, ground turkey, beef jerky and sweet potato!
Left Out Deli Chicken
If you left your deli meat out at room temperature for more than two hours, or if the temperature was above 90 degrees F, it should be thrown out. Food items that are perishable, such as fruits and vegetables, should generally be stored in the refrigerator.
Be aware that temperatures between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F (4.5°C and 60°C) are known as the danger zone where bacterial growth can multiply quickly. Storing perishable foods at those temperatures for longer than necessary is not a good idea.
If you have unopened deli meats that are within their sell-by or expiration date, they can last in the refrigerator for two weeks. If you have opened deli meats, they will last about one week after opening.
Some dry-cured deli meats, like salami and pepperoni, can sit out at room temperature for up to six weeks when unopened. Unopened package will last about three weeks in the fridge.
If the deli meat has been left out on a picnic table in the heat, it should be tossed one hour after it was put out. This will help to prevent any food-borne illnesses from happening.
How To Store Deli Meat
Many grocery stores carry pre-cooked deli meats, such as chicken, turkey, ham, or roast beef. Deli meats come in a variety of types, but they all have some common characteristics. For example, they’re always sold refrigerated, and should be stored that way. Regardless of the type of meat you buy (ham, bacon, etc.), it should be kept cold in the fridge.
It is always important to keep your luncheon meats well-wrapped at all times in order to avoid any potential contamination. This includes prepackaged lunches as well as those that you get sliced at the deli counter. Store the deli meats in resealable plastic bags or airtight containers and place them in the meat drawer or near the back of the refrigerator where it’s usually coldest.
Ideally, pre-packaged cold cut meat (aka sandwich meat) should be resealable so that the leftovers can stay fresh. If this isn’t possible, you can put the slices in a freezer bag to keep them fresher.
How To Freeze Deli Meat
If you have more luncheon meat than you can eat, freezing is the best way to store it. It takes no time at all, so there are no excuses for not doing it.
To prevent freezer burn, you need to wrap your cold cuts well. You can use either freezer bags or heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Arrange individual slices on pieces of wax paper or paper towels, and freeze. If you’re using plastic wrap, make sure to wrap the whole thing twice.
Before you wrap the package of lunch meats, it’s important to decide what is inside. If it is a prepackaged variety and the contents are still sealed, you can put the entire thing in a freezer bag and place it into the freezer.
If the package is opened, you can either transfer only the meat to a freezer bag or place it in the container. Depending on how much meat is in the package, this may take more freezer space, but it’s usually more convenient just to take the package from its packaging and let it thaw at room temperature.
If you need only a few slices at a time, you can cut them into sandwich-sized pieces and freeze them. This will make grabbing just the right amount of deli meat much easier.
Here’s how to freeze deli meat:
Because the slices will freeze together, the first step shall be to divide them into different piles (each pile to have enough deli meat to last 2 to 3 days) if you don’t want to defrost them completely.
Each pile should be placed in its own freezer bag. To prevent food from going bad in the freezer, wrap each pile of slices in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before putting them in the freezer. This will aid in the prevention of freezer burn. Close the freezer bag tightly after squeezing out all of the air.
Label and freeze the cold meats. They’ll stay fresh for about four to six weeks if they’re single-wrapped. If you plan to store your cold cuts for an extended period of time, it is important to double-wrap them in plastic wrap. This will help keep the best quality of the meat intact for up to three months.
Tips To Tell If Deli Meat Has Gone Bad
There are a few indicators that deli meat has started to go bad, and if you see any of them, it’s best to toss it. The common signs of spoilage includes an off smell or taste, or the deli meat becomes slimy.
Off or Sour Smell
If your deli chickens don’t have their usual delicious meaty smell, it might be time to get rid of them. If the deli chickens smell sour or have smells of vinegar, that means they’re spoiled and shouldn’t be used.
If you notice a sour or stale smell coming from your deli meat, it’s probably best to discard it if it has been in the fridge for more than five days.
Slimy Deli Meat
The first sign of spoilage that meat has gone bad is that it becomes slimy. This often results from the brine slowly seeping out of the meat, and congealing. This can be harmful because a slimy texture can also be caused by bacteria or yeast growth. So make sure to avoid bad deli meat that’s slimy in order to stay safe.
Danger Zone
If you keep your deli meat at room temperature for more than two hours, it will be unsafe to eat. This allows bacteria to grow quickly, and you could get sick from food poisoning if you eat the meat.
Changed Color
The discoloration of deli meat is another sign that it is spoiling. Higher-fat content meats will start to turn gray or brown around the edges, which will spread to the middle of the meat. This discoloration is a clear sign that the meat has spoiled and should not be consumed. If cuts are starting to gray or brown, this is an obvious sign they are no good and should be thrown out.
Growing Mold
If you find mold growing on your deli meat, you should know how to handle the situation. Any mold spotted on the meat indicates that it may be past its prime, so if this is the case, you should dispose of it.
7 Pro Tips for How Long Does Deli Chicken Last
– Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Deli meat should be discarded if left out for more than two hours at room temperature.
– The leanest cut of deli meat possible is turkey, chicken breast, or lean ham. These types of deli meat have the highest nutritional value compared to others. Deli chicken is made from natural, fresh chicken breasts that are cooked and then flash-frozen into individual smaller portions.
– When you are purchasing lunch meat, always choose fresh deli meat over pre packaged lunch meat. Deli meats that are sliced fresh off the bone or slab contain natural nitrates and have been minimally processed.
– Some low-sodium deli meats are available. Look for options that say “low sodium” to help reduce the amount of salt in your diet.
– Sliced chicken deli meat can last in the refrigerator for up to five days.
– If you have unopened lunch meat in its original package, it can be stored in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that your refrigerator be at least 40 degrees F or below, to prevent the meat products from spoiling.
– For opened lunch meat, always refer to the expiration date on the package. Once it is open on average, it can store for 3 to 5 days in a refrigerator at 40 degrees F or colder.
Frequently Asked Questions for How Long Does Deli Chicken Meat Last
What kind of deli meat is the healthiest to eat?
When it comes to the healthiest deli meat options, roast beef, turkey, and chicken reign supreme. They are low in fat, salt, and calories.
Is deli meat safe to eat after two weeks?
Packaged deli meat typically has a shelf life of up to two weeks, but will last for one or two days past the printed date. Once you open it, the meat will have only three to five days of storage time.
How long does deli turkey breast last in the fridge?
The shelf life of turkey deli meat is typically 3 to 5 days in the fridge. It’s important to keep it refrigerated in airtight containers or securely wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, so it has a longer shelf life.
How long does opened deli chicken last?
Opened chicken deli meat can last in the fridge for 5 to 7 days if stored properly. Keep it refrigerated in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to avoid spoilage and extend the shelf life of lunch meat.
How do you make deli meat last longer?
To preserve the freshness of deli meats, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. This will help to keep them safe from air and prolong their shelf life.
Is it safe to consume expired lunch meat?
Past the expiration date, deli meat can spoil and lead to food poisoning. Be sure to take precautions to avoid developing symptoms of food poisoning which include diarrhea and stomach cramps.
