Oscar Mayer deli meat is delicious cold cuts that can become the star ingredient to any sandwich. But just like any other meat, the product can go bad pretty quickly.
Before opening, you might be able to store the deli meat in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. According to Oscar Mayer, after the package has been opened, the meat needs to be consumed within 3-7 days. When stored in the freezer, deli meat can maintain its quality for up to 3-4 months.
Keep on reading to find out what’s the right way to store your deli meat to keep it nice and fresh for as long as possible.
What Factors Affect How Long Deli Meat Lasts?
Packaging
Packaging plays an extremely important role in enhancing the shelf life of any product. A high-quality package can help maintain the safety and quality of the meat by protecting it from chemical, biological, and physical hazards.
Oscar Mayer deli meat comes in sealed trays that keep the product fresh. If the package remains unopened, you will be able to keep the sliced meat in your fridge for up to 2 weeks (or before the use-by date).
Once the seal has been broken, you’ll have 5-7 days to consume the meat before it goes bad.
Storage Conditions
Meat should not be kept outside of the fridge, even in an unopened package, as this can quickly lead to spoilage.
Ideally, you would want to store your Oscar Mayer deli meat in the refrigerator’s meat drawer. You can also choose to place the product in your freezer. This will increase the meat’s shelf life, as frozen foods are safe indefinitely.
Sell-By Date
A ‘sell-by’ date is not a safety date. It only tells the store how long the product can be displayed for sale. These dates are chosen with the assumption that the buyer will eat the product at least a few days after buying it. So, it is perfectly safe to consume your Oscar Mayer deli meat 3-7 days after the sell-by date.
Do bear in mind, however, that this date is the company’s estimate of when the meat will taste best. This means that if you want to fully enjoy the flavor of the product, you might want to try to consume it before the sell-by date.
Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination with other foods (like raw meat, eggs, etc.) can lead to rapid bacterial growth which might cause severe gastrointestinal issues.
To avoid cross-contamination, remember to reseal the packaging tightly after every single use and keep the deli meat in a designated drawer in the fridge or on a lower shelf, away from other products.
To check the current price and availability of Oscar Mayer Deli Meat, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
What Signs of Spoilage Should You Look Out for?
Deli meat can go bad even while it’s still in a sealed package, in case it wasn’t kept in a cold place. That’s why it’s always recommended to check the meat for signs of spoilage before consumption.
Visual Changes
If your Oscar Mayer deli meat has gone bad, the first thing that you might notice is a change in color. If it has become pale gray, yellow, or brown, then it’s most likely not safe to eat.
You would also have to throw the meat away, if you notice signs of mold (fuzzy patches, discoloration, and creamy spots).
Odor
If there is something that you don’t like about the smell of the meat (it smells foul, sour, or vinegary), make sure to toss it away.
Texture Changes
If a part of the deli meat has gotten very hard, it has most likely developed a freezer or fridge burn. You should throw such meat away as it simply won’t taste good.
Another telltale sign of spoiled meat is a sticky film or slime.
How to Properly Store Oscar Mayer Deli Meat
In the Fridge
Make sure that the temperature in your fridge is kept below 40 F. Low temperature will help slow down bacterial growth and keep the meat safe and tasty.
Properly packing the product is vitally important as well. If the meat does not come in a resealable package, put it in an airtight container or in aluminum foil after opening. You can also use butcher paper, just make sure that there are no gaps left. By the way, butcher paper will do a great job of preventing the meat from drying out.
If your refrigerator allows it, keep the meat in a special meat drawer. Ensure that the drawer is not packed with dozens of products – there should be enough air circulating around the meat. If you don’t have a designated place for meat products, simply keep it on a separate shelf, away from raw foods and dirty packages.
In the Freezer
If you have too much leftover deli meat and you know that you won’t be able to consume it within a few days, freezing it is typically recommended.
Freeze the product right after opening the package or purchasing it. To avoid freezer burn, store the meat in airtight, freezer-safe bags. Don’t forget to divide the deli meat into portions, so that you wouldn’t have to thaw the whole batch when you only need a few slices.
To thaw the meat, transfer the frozen product into the fridge for 1-2 hours.
Food Safety Recommendations
If you manage to slow down bacterial growth, your deli meat will be perfectly safe to consume for up to 3-7 days after you have opened the package.
To make sure that it stays fresh, always keep the meat at low temperature and in a tightly sealed package. Also, don’t forget to thoroughly clean your hands before taking a slice out.
Final Thoughts
In the majority of cases, Oscar Mayer deli meat can last for up to 2 weeks in an unopened package in the fridge and for around 3-7 days after the package has been opened. If you decide to freeze the product, it might maintain its quality for up to 4 months.
Before enjoying a slice, always remember to check the meat for signs of spoilage and throw the product away if there is something about it that you don’t like.