How long does luncheon meat or poultry last?
Quick answer
Luncheon meat or poultry (store-sliced) keeps 3-5 days in the refrigerator and 1-2 months in the freezer.
- Store-sliced 3-5 days in the refrigerator · 1-2 months in the freezer
- Pre-packaged 2 weeks in the refrigerator · 1-2 months in the freezer
- Store-sliced, opened 3-5 days in the refrigerator · 1-2 months in the freezer
Fridge
From purchase
3-5days
Freezer
Can be frozen: yes
1-2months
Pantry
No known time
-
Mine has been in the fridge for
Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?
- United States
- Yes
- United Kingdom
- Only after cooking
How long does luncheon meat or poultry last in the refrigerator?
- Store-sliced3-5 daysFrom purchase
- Store-sliced, opened3-5 daysAfter opening
- Pre-packaged2 weeksFrom purchase
- Pre-packaged, opened3-5 daysAfter opening
- UK advice2 days
Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.
Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.
How long does luncheon meat or poultry last in the freezer?
- Store-sliced1-2 months
- Store-sliced, opened1-2 months
- Pre-packaged1-2 months
- Pre-packaged, opened1-2 months
- UK advice1-2 months
- General guidance, opened1-2 months
Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.
Your freezer should be around -18°C
A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.
Can you freeze luncheon meat or poultry?
Yes.
How to thaw luncheon meat or poultry safely
- In the refrigerator
- In cold water, cook it right after thawing
- In the microwave, cook it right after thawing
- Cook it from frozen
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.
It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.
You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm
It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted
Can you refreeze luncheon meat or poultry?
- In the United StatesYes
- In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.
Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.
After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.
You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that
Can luncheon meat or poultry be stored at room temperature?
Official sources give no room-temperature (pantry) storage time for luncheon meat or poultry.
All forms at a glance
| Form | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store-sliced | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Store-sliced, opened | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Pre-packaged | 2 weeks | 1-2 months | - |
| Pre-packaged, opened | 3-5 days | 1-2 months | - |
| UK advice | 2 days | 1-2 months | - |
| General guidance, opened | - | 1-2 months | - |
What the official sources say
“Lunch Meat Ham, Sliced in Store 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months”
“Lunch meats, deli (store sliced) 3-5 days”
“Luncheon meat Opened package or deli sliced 3 to 5 days 1 to 2 months”
“The following will keep 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator: opened packages of luncheon meats or deli-meats”
Frequently asked questions
How long does luncheon meat or poultry last in the refrigerator?
Store-sliced: 3-5 days; Store-sliced, opened: 3-5 days; Pre-packaged: 2 weeks; Pre-packaged, opened: 3-5 days.
How long does luncheon meat or poultry last in the freezer?
Store-sliced: 1-2 months; Store-sliced, opened: 1-2 months; Pre-packaged: 1-2 months; Pre-packaged, opened: 1-2 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Can you freeze luncheon meat or poultry?
Yes.
Can you refreeze luncheon meat or poultry?
In the United States: Yes; In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking.
Can luncheon meat or poultry be stored at room temperature?
Official sources give no room-temperature (pantry) storage time for luncheon meat or poultry.
Sources
We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last verified: October 1, 2026.
- FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart US
- Food Standards Agency - consumer food hygiene guidance GB
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension US
- Carnegie Mellon University US
- University of Illinois Extension US
- Penn State Extension US
- University of Georgia Extension US
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration US
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension US
- Clemson University Extension US
- Love Food Hate Waste (WRAP) GB
- Ohio State University Extension US
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech) US
- USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data US
- USDA FSIS Safe Food Handling and Preparation US
Values we do not display (2)
Values below were set aside: unconfirmed by a second independent source, or contradicted by a shorter time.
- General guidance, fridge: 3-5 days (extension.illinois.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
- General guidance, fridge: 3-5 days (ohioline.osu.edu, a source gives a shorter time)