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Deli Meat...

lukeout007
lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
How long will deli meat keep in the fridge? Not the prepackaged stuff by the kind from the deli counter? I'd like to get some but its relatively expensive and I'm worried I won't eat it fast enough.

Replies

  • 1113cw
    1113cw Posts: 830 Member
    I'm not sure what's official but my personal rule of thumb is no longer than 7 days.. after that's it's gone! Sooner if they look the tiniest bit slimey, off color, weird odor or just plain not right. I usually don't get anything more than 1/4 lb at one time to help make sure it doesn't end up in the trash. Also, be careful also of the sodium contents.. some labels, types, etc have more than others along with other additives.
  • Debbiedebbiey
    Debbiedebbiey Posts: 824 Member
    i throw mine out after 5 days max. ive asked many deli clerks, thier answer is 3-6 days. scared of e.coli, been there-done that. never again. or if it has a "slime" layer on top, which happens sometimes on cheap turkey - outta here !
  • 987Runner
    987Runner Posts: 209
    I'm not sure what's official but my personal rule of thumb is no longer than 7 days.. after that's it's gone! Sooner if they look the tiniest bit slimey, off color, weird odor or just plain not right. I usually don't get anything more than 1/4 lb at one time to help make sure it doesn't end up in the trash. Also, be careful also of the sodium contents.. some labels, types, etc have more than others along with other additives.

    DITTO!
  • tomhancock
    tomhancock Posts: 100 Member
    It keeps around a week in my experience.

    Good news is the lower fat stuff like chicken or turkey keeps longer than higher fat ones like ham.

    Nice thing about the deli counter is you can get as little as you want. If you are worried you won't eat much, just ask for 1/4 pound, or even two tenths of a pound. They'll do it.
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    It depends for me - roast beef is good for 2 days max...I notice it starts to lose its red after that.

    Chicken breast for turkey can go for about 4 days.

    Cured meats I'll keep for up to a week - like salami, or bologna (for the kids).

    Ditto about the slime - if you see anything like that, throw out! Gross
  • kayleen_longworth
    kayleen_longworth Posts: 147 Member
    You could always freeze a portion if you think you won't get through it right away. bring it home, freeze half and then thaw in the fridge the day before you need it.
  • MelMena
    MelMena Posts: 152 Member
    Exactly, 5-7 days - if it is kept in an air tight container (plastic ZIP LOCK bag) Like many others said you can get as little as you want. I have gone in and asked for 2 slices of 3 different meats to make 1 sandwich. (Back in my single and broke days!!)
  • vonnywaft
    vonnywaft Posts: 182
    Wow I thought the rule was more like 3 days! Maybe I could risk a bit longer, but I'll hold you all liable if I get food poisoning!
  • Bethee101
    Bethee101 Posts: 99 Member
    You can buy just a little at a time, makes more sense then buying the package crap. But I would say maybe a week?
  • wiltl
    wiltl Posts: 188 Member
    Former deli clerk here, I would tell customers sliced meat could keep for 4-5 days, but depending on how they stored it, it could last longer (or go bad sooner). A lot of meats will discolor because of the lights in the stores, meat cases and your fridge, so even if it looks bad it might not be. This is especially true of roast beef and cooked hams. Cured meats will last a bit longer than boiled or "cooked" meats, but also may be higher in sodium or other preservatives.

    I won't buy from a deli that pre-slices their lunch meat or cheese, as I have no idea how long its been sitting there and once its sliced it starts to dry out and/or won't last as long once you get it home.

    I had a lot of customers that would buy one of our whole units of lunch meat and ask us to slice it to their liking. I'd bag it up in 1/2 or 1 lb packs and they could throw it in the freezer and take it out as needed. We offered a discount per lb if they did this.

    Buy what you think you'll eat in 4-5 days, and make sure that you push the air out of the ziplock each time and seal it good. Outside of that, if it smells funny, looks funny or tries to run away, then don't eat it.
  • amymarie8709
    amymarie8709 Posts: 329 Member
    Turkey lasts 4 days for me. maybe 5. But, I throw it away after that!
This discussion has been closed.

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