In this post, we’ll reveal the magic number for safe storage, ensuring delectable leftovers and peace of mind, so you can keep your roast beef fresh and delicious.
Let’s get started and discover how to enjoy your roast beef without sacrificing its quality or safety!
ROAST BEEF DELI MEAT / COLD CUTS – SLICED AT GROCERY DELI COUNTER
- The precise answer to the question of how long sliced roast beef deli meat keeps in the refrigerator depends in large part on storage conditions; roast beef deli meat (also known as lunch meat, luncheon meat, or cold cuts) should always be kept in the refrigerator.
- After opening, store roast beef deli meat in the refrigerator in airtight containers or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to extend shelf life.
- Sliced roast beef deli meat kept properly in the fridge will keep for 3 to 5 days.
- Bacteria grow quickly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; therefore, roast beef deli meat should be thrown away if left out for longer than 2 hours at room temperature.
- When freezing roast beef deli meat, make sure to do so before the number of days indicated for refrigerator storage has passed. This will help the meat’s shelf life.
- By covering the original store packaging with airtight heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic wrap, freezer paper, or placing the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag, you can extend the shelf life of roast beef deli meat in the freezer and avoid freezer burn.
- When kept properly, roast beef deli meat will keep its best quality for one to two months but will continue to be safe after that.
- Sliced roast beef deli meat that has been frozen and thawed can be kept for an additional three to four days in the refrigerator before using; however, sliced roast beef deli meat that has been thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used right away.
- The indicated freezer time is only for the highest quality; roast beef deli meat that has been continuously frozen at 0°F will remain safe indefinitely.
- The best way to determine whether or not roast beef deli meat is bad or spoiled is to smell it and observe it visually. Discard any roast beef deli meat with a slimy surface, an off smell, or an unappealing appearance; do not taste first.
Sources: For more information on the informational data sources used for food storage, please click here.
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
Can I eat cooked beef after 7 days?
Cooked ground beef can remain safe to consume for a few days in the refrigerator before it becomes spoiled. However, it is best to discard it if it has been there for more than seven days or displays signs of spoilage, such as off flavors, color changes, or mold growth.
How long can you keep a roast beef in the fridge?
Roasts, steaks, and chops made of beef, veal, lamb, and pork can be kept for 3 to 5 days. Meat, poultry, and seafood can be safely kept in the refrigerator for three to four days after cooking.
How long is roast beef from the deli good for?
Information. Before opening, packaged lunch meats can be kept in the refrigerator for two weeks. You can store lunch meats after opening a package or purchasing sliced lunch meats at a deli for three to five days.
Can I eat cooked steak after 5 days?
After three to four days in the refrigerator, leftover steak is safe to eat; any longer and you run the risk of contracting a foodborne illness due to bacterial growth. Additionally, perishable food that has been kept at a temperature lower than 40°F or left out at room temperature for longer than two hours can develop bacteria.