There are not many people who do not love to enjoy two or three slices of the delicatessen called salami. It is a type of deli meat and it is quite common to see it on the cheese board or on the charcuterie board.
There are a few different types of salami but the most popular among them are Genoa Salami, Hard Salami, and Soppressata.
When you read these names, it is quite hard to decide which one is more delicious. The main reason is the fact that they are all made quite similar with just a few differences.
They are all made from a blend of raw ground meat, seasonings, and salt. This mixture is then placed into a casing so that it can pursue the process of fermentation, i.e. to ferment the meat, and then dry it until cured.
But, I also have to mention that there are a lot of preservatives in the salami itself, so you should keep that in mind too when you are eating it.
However, those preservatives are the reason why the shelf life of salami is quite long. But, even the salami with most preservatives can not last forever. And from there, some questions about salami storage arise and one of the most frequently asked questions is whether you can freeze salami.
And the answer is “Yes, you can freeze salami!”. However, you must know how to do that properly and you must be aware of some important facts related to the process of freezing salami.
So, continue reading to find out.
Can You Freeze Salami?
So, can you freeze salami? Yes, you can definitely freeze salami. However, it is never quite as simple as that when you are dealing with food. There are always some factors that influence the processes in the kitchen.
So, although you can freeze salami, and salami freezes quite well, you must know that the freezing process might degrade the quality of the salami to some extent. It means that the texture of the salami won’t be the same after the freezing and thawing process.
The main reason for that is the fact that the freezing process causes the salami to pull out the water, so the water content becomes lower and the salami becomes drier as a result thereof.
However, it is not all that bad because the flavor profile will stay good and you can also reduce the effects on the texture by properly storing the salami in the freezer.
How To Freeze Salami Properly?
There are two main freezing situations when it comes to freezing salami. You can freeze unopened packaged salami. On the other hand, you can also freeze already opened salami, but you have to follow the special guidelines in order to do that properly.
Freezing Unopened Salami
Freezing unopened salami is quite simple. There are two main ways to freeze unopened salami.
• Freeze Salami In The Original Packaging: If you want to freeze salami in the original packaging, all you have to do is to cover that packaging with heavy-duty aluminum foil and keep it air-tight in order to prevent freezer burn. It is not a bad idea to double-wrap it by using aluminum foil or plastic wrap. When you do that, just label it with the exact date of storage and put it deep in the freezer.
• Remove It From The Original Packaging: If the original packaging is not air-tight, then it is better to remove your salami from it and cover it with aluminum foil, and put it in the air-tight plastic bag in order to ensure that there won’t be any freezer burn.
Freezing Opened Salami
Freezing sliced salami is a bit more complex process than the previous one. So, in order to do it properly, you’ll have to follow the steps stated below.
STEP 1: The first and the most important part is to portion the salami according to your needs. Think about how much salami you will use once you thaw it, and place that exact amount into one small portion size.
STEP 2: When you know how big each portion of salami will be, it is time to properly wrap every slice of salami individually. In order to wrap those slices of salami properly, you will need to place each slice in between a parchment paper.
Slices of salami shouldn’t touch each other in order to prevent moisture growth.
STEP 3: When you wrap each slice of salami properly, it is time to put the right number of wrapped pieces of salami into freezer bags.
STEP 4: In order to prevent any potential problem with moisture, it is essential to pull out all the excess air from the freezer bag. You can vacuum-seal it by using a vacuum sealer. I personally think that it is the best and safest way if you possess one.
STEP 5: Label the bag with the exact date of storage and put it in the freezer.
The same process goes for cold cuts also known as lunch meat.
How Long Does Salami Last In The Freezer?
Salami has a quite long shelf life and it can last for quite some time if it is stored properly. That means if you store salami by following the steps explained above, it will last for up to 6-9 months in the freezer.
Actually, it is safe indefinitely in the freezer but you shouldn’t keep it frozen for too long due to quality loss, as stated by the USDA.
Since the flavor and especially the texture of salami can deteriorate in the freezer if it is kept there for long, I wouldn’t recommend keeping it in the freezer for more than 1-2 months.
In this way, you will sufficiently extend the shelf life of the salami and at the same time, the texture and taste will remain quite good.
How To Defrost Frozen Salami?
Once you freeze food, a natural sequence of events is to defrost it after that. The same goes for salami. For thawing salami, I recommend the three safe defrosting methods. You can thaw it in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
In my opinion, the refrigerator is the best place to defrost your salami. The main reason for this is the fact that the salami will thaw slowly in the refrigerator and that will reduce the risk of harmful bacteria growth.
If you decide to thaw your salami in the fridge, it is best to leave it there overnight to thaw.
If you don’t have that much time, you can also defrost salami by using the cold water method.
All you have to do is to pull out wrapped and sealed salami from the freezer and put it like that in a bowl filled with cold water. You can put the plate over the bowl and wait for about 30-69 minutes for the salami to thaw.
I must emphasize that it is not recommended to use warm or hot water because that raises the risk of harmful bacteria growth. Also, you should be careful about refreezing meat thawed at room temperature.
And the final method for defrosting salami is by using the microwave. I personally never use it because it can seriously deteriorate the texture of salami. However, if you eventually decide to thaw yours in the microwave, just unwrap your salami and put it on the microwave-safe palate.
Let it cook there for about 3-5 minutes or until fully thawed.
What Is The Best Way To Store Salami?
Surely, the best way to store salami is to put it in the fridge. If you have a package of unopened salami, then all you have to do is to put it in the fridge that way and it will last quite a long time there.
However, it is really important to refrigerate your salami if the package has been opened. But first, you must wrap it in butcher or wax paper to protect it from dryness. You can also use cling wrap if you prefer.
Then you can put your wrapped salami into an airtight container. Some people use plastic bags when refrigerating salami, but I don’t prefer that because it is not quite safe. However, if you eventually decide to do that, make sure to pull out all the excess air by using a vacuum sealer.
How Long Does Salami Last In The Fridge?
There is a difference in the shelf life of an unopened and opened salami that has been stored in the fridge.
If you put an unopened package of salami into the fridge, it will remain good there for up to 6 weeks.
However, once you open your package of salami, you must properly wrap it as explained above and put it in the fridge within 2 hours. When you put it in the fridge, it will last for up to 5-7 days there.
So, that is the shelf life of salami in the fridge.
How Long Can You Keep Salami At Room Temperature?
It is also very important to know how long you can keep salami at room temperature. Although salami is quite shelf-stable, it is not recommended to keep it for too long at room temperature, i.e. for more than 2 hours.
When the meat is kept in the temperature danger zone (40-140 degrees F), it is vulnerable to harmful bacteria growth and that is especially the case when you are dealing with an opened package of salami.
Once you open the package, I suggest you refrigerate or freeze it immediately so that you will be safe and sound.
Learn how long meat can sit out.
What Are The Spoilage Signs Of Salami?
If you’ve done everything right, but you are still not 100 percent sure that your salami is good, here are a few signs that will help you determine it.
• Discoloration: Since salami usually has a deep red color, if you see any black, green, or grey signs of mold on it, it has most likely gone bad and you should discard it.
• Bad Smell: Changes in smell are always an indicator of spoilage. Since salami has a slightly acidic or cheesy smell, if you notice any smells of sulfur or rotten eggs, then that is a clear sign of spoiled salami.
• Different Texture: If the texture of salami is very stiff and dry, it is possible that it’s gone bad. On the other hand, if it’s too wet and slimy, that can also be an indicator of spoilage.
What Are Some Good Ways To Use Salami?
Salami is quite versatile meat, so it can be used in many ways. Here, I will mention just a few great ways to use your leftover salami.
• Add It To Pizza: Since I am a huge fan of pizza, it is the first thing that comes to my mind when speaking about leftover salami. It is quite simple to just put a few slices of salami on your pizza dough alongside some sauce, cheese, pepperoni, paprika, and other ingredients. And of course, it is extremely delicious, especially if you are a pizza fan like me.
• Make A Salad With Salami: Yeah, you read that right, you can also make one delicious and healthy salad by using salami. Alongside salami, add some lettuce, mozzarella, olives, and pepperoncini for one extraordinary salad with a bold flavor and amazing texture.
• Salami Soup: The fact that you can actually make a soup with salami shows how versatile it really is. This is actually an Italian bean soup that is made from garlic, kale, carrots, and cannellini beans, but what makes it really special is the salami added to it.
• Salami Sandwich: And, finally, if you want to simplify things, you can just make a sandwich with salami. A salami sandwich is a classic and all you have to do is to add a few slices of bread and some other condiments that you prefer and you can enjoy it.
FAQs
Can You Freeze Deli Sliced Salami?
Yes, you can freeze deli-sliced salami, but it is important to follow the right steps in order to do that properly. Those steps are detailed and explained in this article.
One of the most important things to do when it comes to freezing slices of deli salami is to wrap them individually using parchment paper, put them in freezer bags, and then freeze them.
Should You Keep Salami In The Fridge Or Freezer?
When it comes to storing salami, it is always better to refrigerate it. Although it will last longer in the freezer, salami retains its quality in the fridge.
On the other hand, the texture of salami deteriorates when stored in the freezer, especially if it stays there for more than 1 month.
What Are The Best Brands Of Salami?
According to Amazon, the best-selling brands of salami include Foustmans Hot Toscano Salami, Foustmans Fennel And Pepper Salami, Applegate, Uncured Genoa Salami, Boar’s Head Sliced Hard Salami, and Fiorucci Uncured Sliced Hard Salami.
Freezing Salami The Right Way
All the delicatessen meats, including sausage, salami, and Bologna, can be frozen. That is the answer to the question of whether you can freeze salami. If you properly freeze salami, it can last for up to 6-9 months.
However, it is not a good idea to freeze salami for more than 1-2 months because its quality will deteriorate.
