*Hard salami refers to Genoa or dry salami that has been cured and lasts longer than other salami that would be classified with regular packaged lunch meat. All deli meat lasts for a shorter period of time if it is not stored properly. But remember, deli meat or lunch meat, like a lot of other proteins, usually have a sell by date and not an expiration date. Because of this distinction, you may safely use them to compliment your favorite meals even after the date has lapsed, but because conditions can vary always beware of how to tell if your food has gone bad.

How to tell if Deli Meat is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your deli meat has gone bad. Some common traits of bad deli meat begin with a moist surface and then quickly develop into a very wet, slimy exterior. There is also a very sour smell when your lunch meat has gone bad and sour smell means sour lunch meat so it should not be eaten.

Bologna and hard salami, because of their higher concentration of fat, will last a little longer than most other meats. When these types of deli meats have gone bad you will notice a change of color, usually around the entire edge, to a grayish or brownish color and they should not be eaten. And, as always, do not consume if you see any mold (mould) on the meat - throw it out!

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled foods so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your foods before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Deli Meat to extend its shelf life?

You can help deli meat keep fresh longer by storing it in your refrigerator immediately after use. Once opened, deli meat should be stored in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

For a long-term option, you can freeze your deli meat while preserving its taste if you use a freezer safe container.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting facts about Deli Meat:

Deli meat refers to a broad range of product than was processed using a broad range of techniques. Curing refers to the process of preserving the meat. The most common ingredient used to cure meat is salt. There is a "wet cure" where the meat is soaked in a salt mixture and a "dry cure" where the meat is coated in a salt mixture. The oldest, yet possibly still the tastiest, method of preserving meats is to smoke them using a slow dry heat.[1]

How to use extra before your Deli Meat goes bad?

Don't just think lunch for luncheon meat, fry it up (just in case it was starting to go bad) and add it to your egg sandwich. Remember, this is only if your lunch meat is about to go bad, if your deli meat has gone bad (above section) or if you see any mold- throw it out!

How long is Deli Meat good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does deli meat last? That depends. How long does bread last? What is the shelf life of deli meat? In general, deli meat lasts only as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish that it is prepared in.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Deli Meat lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Deli Meat.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Deli Meat shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!