Sliced lunch meat is one of the most versatile types of meat that you can enjoy. It can be used for an omelet, wrapped around cheese, or folded in bread, among others. With this, there are many people who tend to buy a lot and keep it for future consumption.
If you are asking can you freeze lunch meat, in the rest of this post, we got you covered. Keep on reading and by the time that you are finished, you will be enlightened. We’ll also give you some tips when it comes to the proper storage of deli meat.
Can You Freeze Lunch Meat ? Here’s What You Should Know
This is the answer to your question. So, if you have seen sliced lunch meat being sold in the grocery for an affordable price or in case you have leftovers from the brunch you just had, it does not need to go to waste. You can have it frozen and have it saved for future consumption.
In one research from the Purdue University, it has been noted that you can keep your lunch meat in the freezer for up to three months. Within such period, as long as the freezing temperature is retained and ice will not melt at any point, you will still be able to enjoy your meat without being worried about its negative impacts on your health.
Right Packaging Is The Key
While it is indeed true that you can freeze lunch meat, it does not mean that you can just put it in the freezer. You have to exert effort in making sure that it is packaged properly. This will help to make sure that its freshness will be retained even if you do not consume it immediately.
If you want to freeze your lunch meat and to be sure that it will still taste good even after several days, having it packaged in a manner that is air-tight will prove to be critical. This is going to aid in the prevention of freezer burn.
Just in case you are not aware, freezer burn refers to an occurrence in frozen meat when the latter becomes damaged, which is basically a result of oxidation and dehydration. This happens when air reaches the meat. With this, it is important that your lunch meat is packaged in a way that no air will be able to get inside.
Invest In A Vacuum Sealer
If there are many instances wherein you will find the need to freeze lunch meat, it would be best to invest in a vacuum sealer. The latter will be an excellent equipment in the kitchen for preserving food. It will make vacuum sealing a task that is easier, while providing you with the guarantee that your lunch meat will remain fresh.
When looking for the best vacuum sealer that is available in the market, one of the options that can be taken into consideration would be Food Saver V2244 Vacuum Sealing System with Starter Kit. It is made to be user-friendly, which means that the entire task can be completed without requiring too much effort on your end.
Proper Packaging Without Vacuum Sealer
If you do not want to spend in a vacuum sealer, the good news is that you can still package your lunch meats in such a way that it will still remain fresh after it is frozen. You just have to make sure that it is wrapped well, using as many layers of plastic as possible. This will provide you with the assurance that no air will be able to penetrate inside.
Take Note of The Right Storage Times
While we have already established the fact that you can keep sliced lunch meat in the freezer, it does not mean that you can keep it there as long as you want to. Different types of meats will have different storage times, making sure that they will remain fresh.
If you are freezing dry cured meats, you can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. They have lesser moisture, which is why they will be able to withstand being frozen for an extended period of time.
On the other hand, for larger chunks of deli meat, it is recommended to have them frozen only for one to two months. If you store it longer, you will notice that the texture will degrade and the flavor will not be robust.
Be Mindful Of Thawing
The freshness of your lunch meat will not only depend on how long it has been frozen, but also on the manner at which it is thawed. With this, it is also important to make sure that attention is given to thawing.
The best way to have it defrosted is to have it submerged in a bowl that is filled with cold water. Alternatively, you can also consider having the meat microwaved. After thawing, make sure that it is consumed as soon as possible to avoid being a breeding ground for bacteria.
Taste Can Be Different
When it comes to lunch meat, fresh is still the best. Therefore, once you have it frozen, you should expect that it is no longer fresh, and hence, depending on the way it is packaged, there can be alterations in taste and texture.
Because of freezing and thawing, sodium can melt, as well as other preservatives, which can inevitably lead to having a blander taste. With this, to achieve better taste, you can consider adding dressing and spices in order to restore the flavor that has been lost because of freezing. Black pepper, mustard, mayonnaise, cheese, and olive tapenade are just some of the add-ons that can make your meat more flavorful.
Conclusion
By now, we hope that we have answered the question. Just to sum it up, for those who are wondering can you freeze lunch meat, the answer is YES!
But, you have to make sure that you do it right to prevent air from penetrating the meat and from possibly causing negative impacts on its flavor or overall quality.
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