Cold cuts is incredibly versatile, and if you stock up on this breakfast favorite, you may be wondering if freezing it is the key to extend its shelf life.

When it comes to freezing cold cuts, practicing good storage habits is absolutely essential. If the meat is not frozen at the correct temperature, once it is completely thawed, you risk eating it.

We asked the experts to break down what you need to know about storing frozen foods. fresh charcuterietasty and above all, safe.

Can you freeze cold meats?

Yes, you can freeze cold cuts, says Kimberly Kramerclinical dietitian at Nemours Children’s Hospital in the Delaware Valley.

If your intention when purchasing deli meats is to freeze it, regardless of whether the meat was sliced ​​at the counter or purchased in a vacuum package, Kramer recommends storing it in your freezer as soon as you return from the market. grocery store.

However, if you freeze the meat within a reasonable time frame (the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that you consume all opened packages of deli meats within a reasonable time frame). three to five days), you can freeze it, Kramer says.

If the deli meat has been opened beyond the five day mark or if it is past the expiration date, do not freeze it. You should throw the meat away instead, because you can no longer guarantee its safety, she says.

Is it safe to refreeze cold cuts?

You should never refreeze cold cuts to try to prolong its freshness. “Once a deli meat has been thawed, it should not be frozen again,” says Dr Mandeep Raiboard-certified infectious disease physician at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center.

For what? Deli meats are vulnerable to bacteria growth once thawed. Refrigeration will slow the growth of bacteria on food, but neither refrigeration nor freezing will kill bacteria already present, says Rai.

Do some frozen deli meats fare better than others?

Although it is possible to freeze all types of cold cuts, once thawed, it is possible that the quality and consistency of some meats will fare better than others, explains Judy Simonclinical dietitian nutritionist at the University of Washington Medical Center. Cold meatsFoods, for example, tend to retain their texture once thawed because of their high fat content, she says.

Meats that have a high water content will likely be more prone to consistency changes once thawed, notes Kramer. “Turkey meat will have a higher water percentage, so the texture might change a little,” she says.

How to safely store frozen deli meats

Deli meats should always be stored in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, according to the USDA.

“If you’re concerned that your freezer isn’t at the right temperature, you risk bacteria growth,” notes Kramer. If your freezer temperature is too high, the best practice would be to throw out the meat, she says.

To ensure the quality of the meat, seal it in an airtight object, such as a a freezer storage bagrecommends Kramer.

When it comes to freezing sliced ​​deli meats at the counter, adding parchment paper between individual slices can help preserve the best quality of the product, Simon suggests.

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This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Can you freeze lunch meat? Safe storage and can you refreeze it