Storing Deli Meat

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the fridge?
I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and pepperoni) sliced
and purchased from the deli in the local supermarket. This deli in
particular wraps the meat with some paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag
with a slider zipper.

I'm thinking in the long run it will be cheaper to buy these meats from the
deli on a regular basis. I'm trying to figure out how much to plan to buy
on a weekly basis, half pound, full pound, etc. Normally, I'll have at
least six sandwiches a week using these meats. In the past we've not had a
problem with the meat going bad, with buying only half a pound of each.

Just looking for a little guidance here is all. Many thanks!

--
-Glasswalker-

"... anything defined surely loses its truth, for it becomes unmalleable and
unworkable. Truth is universal, and changes as what it describe changes."

-Anatole 09.05.99

If you're not buying in big-time bulk and you use the meats within a
week or two or even three, then there's no worry! Sounds like this is
the case by your description. But, if you want to keep the deli meats
for 6-weeks or longer or more, then that's another matter. Personally,
I don't want to keep deli meats that long, but who knows, perhaps some
folks do? For my usage, I tend to buy by a pound or less - just depends
on the meat(s).

Sky, who cooks - and eats - for one most of the time

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the fridge?
I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and pepperoni) sliced
and purchased from the deli in the local supermarket.

Figure on a 7 days for the average deli meat. Longer for salami
and pepperoni.

-sw

Glasswalker said:

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the fridge?
I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and pepperoni) sliced
and purchased from the deli in the local supermarket. This deli in
particular wraps the meat with some paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag
with a slider zipper.

I'm thinking in the long run it will be cheaper to buy these meats from the
deli on a regular basis. I'm trying to figure out how much to plan to buy
on a weekly basis, half pound, full pound, etc. Normally, I'll have at
least six sandwiches a week using these meats. In the past we've not had a
problem with the meat going bad, with buying only half a pound of each.

Just looking for a little guidance here is all.

Under the best conditions, assuming that deli is using proper
procedures, you should be able to safely store sliced cold cuts for a
week, but no longer. But no deli uses good cold cut hygiene these
days so you need to modify your expectations. Actually I wouldn't buy
more sliced cold cuts than I could use in four days. You might want
to consider obtaining a slicing machine, buying cold cuts by the
piece, and slicing your own as needed. The thing about cold cuts is
as soon as it's sliced all that surface area is exposed and any
bacteria that was on the surface is now on the surface of all the
exposed sliced areas... really no different from preground mystery
meat... except I'll assume you are not going to cook cold cuts... so
be very careful.

Sheldon

"Glasswalker" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in
the fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami,
pastrami, and pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in
the local supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat
with some paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag with a
slider zipper.

7 days, for me, would be the max.
Your nose and eyes should help you
tell if it goes bad sooner.

"Glasswalker" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the fridge?
I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and pepperoni)
sliced and purchased from the deli in the local supermarket. This deli in
particular wraps the meat with some paper, and then puts it in a zip top
bag with a slider zipper.

I'm thinking in the long run it will be cheaper to buy these meats from
the deli on a regular basis. I'm trying to figure out how much to plan to
buy on a weekly basis, half pound, full pound, etc. Normally, I'll have
at least six sandwiches a week using these meats. In the past we've not
had a problem with the meat going bad, with buying only half a pound of
each.

Just looking for a little guidance here is all. Many thanks!

--
-Glasswalker-

Just wanted to say thanks for all the info. Especially Sheldon, it didn't
even occur to me about the increase in the surface area of the meat.

Also, while I don't necessarily cook the meat, I will run it under the
broiler. Sometimes I'll throw it in the skillet with some onions and what
not, but honestly I wouldn't think it would be enough to do any good as far
as 'cleaning' the meat.

Thanks again!

-Glasswalker-

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some paper,
and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.

Read the "use by" date on the package. It's really not that difficult a
concept.

"jmcquown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some paper,
and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.

Read the "use by" date on the package. It's really not that difficult a
concept.

It might not have one on it. They don't always put one on there at delis.
Most of the fresh sandwiches I've seen here made up have a sell by date that
is the following day. I am thinking because the meat is constantly being
taken out and sliced, it isn't going to keep fresh like pre-packaged meat
would. I would probably use it within a couple of days.

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some
paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.

Read the "use by" date on the package.

What package? He's talking about stuff purchased from the deli. I've
never seen any dates on those.

Brian

--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

"Default User" <[email hidden]> dropped this news:5mokosFekfbiU1
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Quoted message said:

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some
paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.

Read the "use by" date on the package.

What package? He's talking about stuff purchased from the deli. I've
never seen any dates on those.

Me either. I have successfully frozen salami when I found it on sale and
bought a lot at once. I've never been able to freeze the ham or roast
beef from the deli successfully. Ham and beef loose texture and taste
when I've done it.

Michael

--
Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their
food, and tyrannize their teachers.
- Socrates

to email: dog3 at charter dot net

"Default User" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some
paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.

Read the "use by" date on the package.

What package? He's talking about stuff purchased from the deli. I've
never seen any dates on those.

I have at some places. But not others.

"Julie Bove" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

"Default User" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker wrote:
> Hey all.
>
> Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
> fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
> pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
> supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some
> paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.
>
Read the "use by" date on the package.

What package? He's talking about stuff purchased from the deli. I've
never seen any dates on those.

I have at some places. But not others.

As far as I'm concerned, the clock starts ticking really loud
the minute you open most deli meats, be they store sliced or
prepackaged. Once I make that first turkey sandwich, I
eat the rest within another two ... maaybe three days, or out
it goes.

Funny, when people talk about leftovers, they say
three days old? throw it out! Yet deli meat, sure, keep
it a week? I'd take my chances on the leftovers over
week old deli sliced ham.

My rule, only buy as much as you can eat in three days.

nancy

Nancy Young said:

As far as I'm concerned, the clock starts ticking really loud
the minute you open most deli meats, be they store sliced or
prepackaged. Once I make that first turkey sandwich, I
eat the rest within another two ... maaybe three days, or out
it goes.

Funny, when people talk about leftovers, they say
three days old? throw it out! Yet deli meat, sure, keep
it a week? I'd take my chances on the leftovers over
week old deli sliced ham.

My rule, only buy as much as you can eat in three days.

Excellent rule!

Julie Bove said:

"Default User" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker wrote:
> Hey all.
>
> Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
> fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
> pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
> supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some
> paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.
>
Read the "use by" date on the package.

What package? He's talking about stuff purchased from the deli. I've
never seen any dates on those.

I have at some places. But not others.

Maybe the supermarket deli is different where I live. They slap a sticker on
the bag of deli meats that you buy.

Jill

Julie Bove said:

"Default User" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker wrote:
> Hey all.
>
> Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
> fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
> pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
> supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some
> paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.
>
Read the "use by" date on the package.

What package? He's talking about stuff purchased from the deli. I've
never seen any dates on those.

I have at some places. But not others.

Maybe the supermarket deli is different where I live. They slap a sticker on
the bag of deli meats that you buy.

Jill

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some paper,
and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.

Read the "use by" date on the package. It's really not that difficult a
concept.

Another great answer from the reading comprehension queen of RFC.

-sw

jmcquown said:

Maybe the supermarket deli is different where I live. They slap a sticker on
the bag of deli meats that you buy.

All the ones I've seen (and I've shopped all over the country)
have a sticker, but only the "Packed on:" date. Never a Use By:
date.

-sw

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Quoted message said:

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some paper,
and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.

Read the "use by" date on the package. It's really not that difficult a
concept.

Huh? There's no use-by date on deli-sliced cold cuts. Oops,
forgot... you're obviously an Oscar Mayer boloney gal.

Default User said:

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some
paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.

Quoted message said:

Read the "use by" date on the package.

What package? He's talking about stuff purchased from the deli. I've
never seen any dates on those.

You never will. If they have a scale that generates a weight/$$ label
it will also print the date of sale, but not a use-by date.... pre-
packaged, factory sealed cold cuts are labeled with a *sell*-by date
but not a use-by date. Even fresh meats have no use-by date, only a
sell-by date. But then Jill is different from the rest of us, she has
a butcher buddy who fills her personal needs.

Most stand alone delis don't have printing scales, you get no label.
The only reason stupidmarkets have a print scale is for inventory
control... also reminds the deli clerk that big brother is watching.

Default User said:

jmcquown said:

Glasswalker said:

Hey all.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Just wondering how long deli meat can be expected to store in the
fridge? I'm talking about meat (in this case salami, pastrami, and
pepperoni) sliced and purchased from the deli in the local
supermarket. This deli in particular wraps the meat with some
paper, and then puts it in a zip top bag with a slider zipper.

Quoted message said:

Read the "use by" date on the package.

What package? He's talking about stuff purchased from the deli. I've
never seen any dates on those.

You never will. If they have a scale that generates a weight/$$ label
it will also print the date of sale, but not a use-by date.... pre-
packaged, factory sealed cold cuts are labeled with a *sell*-by date
but not a use-by date. Even fresh meats have no use-by date, only a
sell-by date. But then Jill is different from the rest of us, she has
a butcher buddy who fills her personal needs.

Most stand alone delis don't have printing scales, you get no label.
The only reason stupidmarkets have a print scale is for inventory
control... also reminds the deli clerk that big brother is watching.