How Long Does Lunch Meat Last in the Fridge?
Opened lunch meat or deli-sliced meat usually lasts 3 to 5 days in the fridge; unopened packaged lunch meat can last about 2 weeks when kept cold.
Opened lunch meat or deli-sliced meat usually lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator at 40 F or below. Unopened packaged lunch meat can last about 2 weeks when kept cold. Use ready-to-eat meat promptly after opening, and discard it sooner if it warmed up, smells off, feels slimy, or the package is damaged.
Lunch meat fridge timing
Opened package
3 to 5 days
Air and handling shorten the window
Deli-sliced meat
3 to 5 days
Handled and sliced meat should be used promptly
Unopened package
About 2 weeks
Longer window while sealed and refrigerated
Left out too long
Discard
Refrigerator timing no longer applies
Higher-risk household
Use especially promptly
Ready-to-eat refrigerated foods deserve extra caution
Opened and unopened packages are not the same
The short 3-to-5-day window applies after opening or deli slicing. A sealed package can last longer, but only if it stayed cold and the package is intact.
Keep lunch meat safer
- 1Refrigerate lunch meat promptly after shopping or serving.
- 2Keep the refrigerator at 40 F or below.
- 3Write the opening date on the package if needed.
- 4Use opened or deli-sliced lunch meat within 3 to 5 days.
- 5Discard meat that is slimy, sour-smelling, moldy, warm-stored, or past the safe window.
FAQ
Is lunch meat still good after 7 days?
Opened lunch meat or deli-sliced meat is usually beyond the 3-to-5-day refrigerator window by day 7. Unopened packaged lunch meat has a longer window when kept cold.
Does unopened deli meat last longer?
Yes. FoodSafety.gov lists unopened packaged luncheon meat at about 2 weeks in the refrigerator, while opened packages or deli-sliced meat are about 3 to 5 days.
Can I freeze lunch meat instead of refrigerating it?
Yes. Freezing can extend storage, although texture may suffer after thawing. Freeze it while it is still within its safe refrigerator window.
Sources & method
We reviewed these references while writing this answer. Figures are estimates — confirm safety-critical work with a professional. Last updated June 7, 2026.
- Cold Food Storage ChartFoodSafety.gov · foodsafety.govSupports the 3-to-5-day window for opened or deli-sliced luncheon meat and about 2 weeks for unopened packages.
- Are You Storing Food Safely?U.S. Food and Drug Administration · fda.govSupports keeping refrigerated ready-to-eat foods cold and using them promptly to reduce foodborne-illness risk.