How Long Is Deli Ham Good For

Introduction

We get excited when there is any sale. And if that happens in the meat counter, that’s a foodie’s delight. But getting too much deli meat or lunch meat without thinking becomes a matter of worry.

When there is too much leftover various things come to our mind. And this comes to hit us how long is deli ham good for. Let’s get that answer in brief.

Usable extension of opened deli meat 

Generally, all deli meat comes pre-packaged. These meats are already cooked and ready to place in a sandwich and eat. But once you break the seal, a deli ham can stay fine for 3 to 5 days. Though every packet comes with a sell-by date, you can keep the meat for eating for a maximum of 5 days.

How long I can keep it in the Freezer

No matter how much you can eat, there is always a limit. If you think you got a lot but reached your limit, then you should reserve the leftovers. Most deli meats come in a freezer truck from the manufacturers. And the meat in the sealed package can last 2 to 3 months without getting disintegrated. This also goes for opened packs. 

If you have cut a pack and used enough of the slices, you can save it in your freezer. Just seal the pack like you bought and keep it in the fridge. If you can’t close the pack again, take a freezing bag, place the meats, and suck out all the air in the bag. Once you are sure all the moisture is out, keep the bag at a temperature under 10° F, and the meat stays good for 3 months.

How to understand if the meat is okay

Our eyes and nose are the best tools to check the quality of any food. As long as the food looks fine and smells fine, it’s edible. But if the food looks good but smells very bad, just throw it away. Yet here are some points when you should throw out the deli ham.

  • Look at the expiry date on the package first. If the days passed more than five days of the sell-by date, it needs to go.
  • Look if there are any slimy layers on the meat. Over slimy films outside the slices is garbage. 
  • If the meat smells odd, vinegary, or likes yeast, it is inedible.
  • And lastly, it is common sense that if you see any kind of mold on either meat or the package, it needs to be thrown away.

As long as these described signs are not appearing on your deli ham, you can eat it. Otherwise, it is an intelligent choice to throw it away.

How long can I keep the Deli Meat at Room Temperature

40° F to 140° F is the best temperature for bacterial growth. Deli ham is processed meat. You can’t expect it to stay fresh for too long. Once you take out the slices from the packet, eat them within 2 hours. After that, the bacterias can easily grow on them and make you sick.

Conclusion

3 to 5 days is the max number of how long is deli ham good for keeping in the refrigerator. As long as you keep the temperature under 40° F, that’s the duration you should keep the meat. If you can’t eat within the time, then throw it away for the sake of health.  

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