How long can a sandwich last in the fridge?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long can a sandwich last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of a sandwich. Moreover, we are going to discuss tips to store sandwiches properly and different ways to spot bad sandwiches.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long can a sandwich last in the fridge?
Sandwich lasts for about 3-4 days when stored in the fridge at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit in an airtight container or plastic zipper bag. Fresh sandwiches need to be refrigerated within 2 hours after they are cooked.
It is worth mentioning that the shelf life of sandwiches varies depending upon the ingredients used to make them and the storage conditions in which they are kept.
Moreover, when it comes to prepackaged sandwiches, as long as they are unopened, they last for about two weeks when stored in the refrigerator at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is worth mentioning that the figures mentioned above are the estimated shelf life of the sandwich and is the time during which you can enjoy the optimum quality of the sandwich.
What is the optimum temperature to store a sandwich?
You should always store your sandwich at 40°F or below. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore it is always advised to store your sandwich at a lower temperature to preserve its freshness for a long time.
How long can a sandwich stay out of the fridge?
A sandwich made up of deli meat or the one containing cooked foods like egg salad, tuna, or the one having cut vegetables like lettuce or tomatoes lasts for about 2 hours when kept at room temperature.
You should discard the sandwich that has been left in open for more than 2 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore there are greater chances of the sandwich being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2 hours.
Moreover, if the temperature of the surroundings is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then the process of spoilage takes place at a faster pace and it is recommended to discard a sandwich that is left out in the open for more than an hour at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, when it comes to sandwiches that have peanut butter, jam, and jelly, they can be stored for a longer time at room temperature as they do not have any perishable food items present in them.
For example, prepackaged peanut butter and jelly sandwich lasts for about 7 days easily when stored in the fridge.
Tips to store sandwich
- You should always store your sandwich at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore it is always advised to store your sandwich at a lower temperature to preserve their freshness for a long time.
- It is recommended to store your sandwiches wrapped in wax paper or parchment paper.
- It is recommended to store sandwiches on one of the shelves of the refrigerator rather than the door as there are a lot of temperature fluctuations at the door of the fridge.
You can read different ways to keep sandwiches fresh here.
Different ways to spot bad sandwich
There are a couple of indicators that point out a bad sandwich. You should consider the appearance, texture, and smell of the sandwich to reach a final verdict on whether or not they have gone bad.
Appearance
If you spot a mold or any other organic growth on your sandwich bread or filling then it means that your sandwich has gone bad and the best thing you can do in this scenario is to get rid of it.
Texture
In the case of sandwiches made up of meat, if you feel something slimy or gooey while touching the sandwich then it means that your sandwich has gone bad and it is better to discard it.
Smell
If you smell something sour or ammonia-like while taking a sniff test of your sandwich then it means that your sandwich has gone bad.
If microbes somehow found their way to your sandwich and have spoiled it then the best thing you should do is to discard it.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long can a sandwich last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of a sandwich. Moreover, we discussed tips to store sandwiches properly and different ways to spot bad sandwiches.
