Food - Drink
It Is Okay To Freeze Deli Meat?
By JESSIE MOLLOY
If you're looking for a quick lunch, making a sandwich with deli meat can be a great solution. Unfortunately, deli meat does not have a long shelf-life, but the good news is you can freeze that left-over sandwich meat to use another day. Here’s how to do it!
Eating Well recommends laying individual slices between sheets of wax paper and bundling the slices together in two layers of freezer bags. Heathline advises the meat must be frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure safe storage, though the quicker it freezes, the better it'll taste.
According to Healthline, once they are frozen, deli meats can last indefinitely without being subject to bacteria, with salami and or pepperoni having the longest freezer life. However, they will start to degrade after some time in the freezer, either becoming dry or taking on unpleasant flavors.
Once you decide it's time to enjoy your preserved meat, you'll need time to let it defrost. Good Housekeeping recommends letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight to fully defrost, though Eating Well notes that you can speed up the thawing process by putting the bagged meat in a bowl of cold water.