You probably put some leftover sandwich in the fridge and completely forgot about it. It’s been there for a while and you’re conflicted about whether to eat it or throw it out.
Here’s the answer on whether to eat or toss!
The shelf life of a sandwich depends on the ingredients used to make it. If you use fresh ingredients for your sandwich, you can store it for 3-5 days in the fridge at is 90°F (32.2°C) or higher, and it will be fit for consumption.
Sandwiches are fantastic to-go meals, and with the right ingredients, they have nutritional value. The basic sandwich ingredients are lettuce, bacon, eggs, meat, chicken, and cheese. You can take time and prepare several sandwiches, put them in the fridge and eat them later. All in all, sandwiches are best when eaten fresh.
Sandwiches made with dry ingredients like lettuce, cabbage, carrots, kale, and hard cheese last longer. Those made from meats like chicken go bad in 4 days. The shelf life also depends on whether the sandwiches contain sauces and other watery ingredients.
How to Store Sandwiches in the Fridge
To enjoy a sandwich you are making now, you need to store it properly for later. A well-stored sandwich remains fresh and tasty.
Here is how to store it in the fridge for a longer shelf life:
- After you assemble your sandwich, wrap it up with parchment paper. The cling wrap helps keep the ingredients in situ.
- Then, put the wrapped sandwich in a zip-lock bag or an air-tight container. If you use a zip lock bag, ensure you push the air out before sealing.
- Unless you plan to eat it quite soon, label your sandwich according to the date you made it and when it goes bad, depending on the ingredients you used.
- Finally, when grabbing the meal, please start with the sandwiches near the fifth-day mark before they expire.
When you want to eat the sandwich, take it out of the fridge or freezer and let it thaw. Suppose the bread isn’t as crisp as you would like it. You could put it in the oven and reheat it.
If you don’t have an oven, another option is to reheat it in a rice cooker or pan and when reheating, wrap the sandwich in plastic or aluminum foil. The quality and freshness of the sandwich won’t be as it was initially, but it will still be safe for consumption.
Tips To Make Sandwiches Stay Fresh and Longer
Sandwiches are a perfect meal when going to school, work, the beach, or picnicking. In addition, they are ideal for adventurous or picky eaters alike. Sandwiches can be eaten as a snack or a full meal.
Below are tips on how to keep your ready meals fresh, sweet, and healthy.
The Bread
When choosing sandwich bread, pick the crusty one, and if you are working with sliced bread, toast it first. Crusty bread helps to avoid sogginess, and the ingredients will bind together better!
The Spread
Spreads like mayonnaise, pesto, butter, tapenade, or whichever flavor tickles your palate make the sandwich moist. Spread adds a little oomph to the sandwich, so distribute it evenly on the bread to make every point delicious.
Oxygen Absorber Pack
After wrapping the sandwich and packing it, throw in a pack or two of oxygen absorbers in the air-tight container. The oxygen absorber pack will suck in the free oxygen, making it hard for the bacteria to multiply. Ensure you use the suitable one to avoid making the bread dry.
Dry the Greens Properly
Wet ingredients make the sandwich soggy. That is why you should use dry fillings. You can prepare wet ingredients like tomatoes and store them in a separate container. Add the wet filling later before eating the sandwich.
Dry ingredients like lettuce, kale, cheese, and meat don’t affect the outcome of the sandwich.
How Do You Know a Sandwich Is Fit for Consumption?
There are different ways to spot a sandwich that has gone bad. They include the following:
Texture
The bread will get dry or stale if it isn’t properly stored. The sandwich may have no mold, but it will have an awkward taste, and the bread will be less fresh.
Smell
If the sandwich has a funny smell, then it is expired. Some of the ingredients used may have gone bad, and consuming it can lead to food poisoning.
Appearance
Before you take your first bite, have a good look at the sandwich. If it has a different color from when you made it, it is likely to have gone bad.
The sandwich may have mold, which will appear as black or brown spots on the bread or other ingredients. If the sandwich is exposed to moisture and air, bacteria will multiply, and mold will grow.
In addition, check the meat as well. Pale, smelly, or slimy meat indicates the sandwich has gone bad, and you should discard it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some commonly asked questions about sandwich fridge life.
How long does a submarine sandwich last in the fridge?
A sub can last about two days in the fridge. If the sub is stored for more than two days, it will taste funny even though it will still be safe for consumption. The main ingredients in the sub include cheese, tomatoes, meat, lettuce, and other vegetables.
How long will a sandwich stay fresh at room temperature?
A sandwich in the kitchen or pantry at room temperature will stay fresh for about two hours. If the room is below 900, then the sandwich will stay fresh for four hours.
How long can you freeze a sandwich?
You can freeze a sandwich for as long as 2-3 months without going rancid. Bread stored in the freezer, whether in an air-tight bag or not, will stay fresh for 1-3 weeks. Foods stored in the freezer don’t go bad quickly as the cold conditions prevent bacteria multiplication.
