Can you freeze deli meat?

What freezing does to deli meat

Slow freezing creates large, disruptive ice crystals that damage the cells and dissolve emulsions, which makes meat "drip" and lose juiciness. Rapid freezing prevents these large ice crystals from forming. Because deli meat is a cured meat, the salt in it hastens rancidity, so it is best kept frozen only a short time.

How to freeze it

1. Over-wrap the store-bought meat, since its clear packaging is not moisture-vapor resistant.
2. Place two layers of freezer paper or wrap between slices so they are easier to separate when frozen, which also helps speed thawing.

Thawing and using it

It can be cooked or reheated from the frozen state, but it will take approximately one and a half times as long to cook.

Depends on the form

• Frozen foods stored continuously at 0°F (-18°C) or below can be kept indefinitely, but the 1 to 2 month guideline is for quality only.
• The salt in cured meats hastens rancidity, so do not expect it to stay good for long.