How to Keep Cut Lunch Meat Fresh in the Refrigerator

Sliced deli meats are a popular choice for those who pack their own lunches. These meats, including roast beef, ham and turkey, can be used to prepare a variety of sandwiches perfect for a brown bag lunch. Fresh deli meats must be properly stored and refrigerated to prevent the meat from becoming contaminated, which could cause food poisoning and related illness.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Refrigerator
• Plastic wrap

1. Refrigerate the lunch meat within two hours of purchase to prevent the lunch meat from becoming warm and hospitable to bacteria. In temperatures above 90 degrees, the meat should be refrigerated within one hour.

2. Wrap the lunch meat tightly in plastic wrap or seal it in resealable bags after opening the original container.

3. Dispose of any leftover refrigerated lunch meat after three to five days. Throw away the lunch meat sooner if it develops an unpleasant smell.

Tips & Warnings

• Discard lunch meat if it has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees.

References

• Food Safety - USDA

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