Determining if hard salami has gone bad can be tricky. Salami is cured, fermented, and air-dried, which allows it to have a long shelf life without refrigeration. But there are still signs you can look for to know if your salami has spoiled and is unsafe to eat.
Check the expiration date
The first and easiest way to tell if salami has gone bad is to check the expiration or “use by” date printed on the package. This will give you an idea of how long the salami should retain its freshness and flavor under proper storage conditions. Once the use by date has passed, it’s generally best to throw out the salami to be on the safe side.
Look for mold
Mold growth is one of the most obvious signs that salami has spoiled. Hard salami is dried and aged, which allows mold to grow more readily on the exterior. Look closely at the salami, especially in hard to see crevices, for patches of fuzzy mold in white, green, black, or blue colors. Any mold at all is a sign the salami should be discarded.
Check the texture
Fresh salami should feel firm and dry to the touch. As it goes bad, the texture becomes sticky, slimy, or overly soft. If your salami is no longer dry or slices seem abnormally mushy, this indicates spoilage.
Give it a sniff
Your nose often knows when food has gone off before your eyes can confirm it. Give the salami a good sniff across the entire length of it. Fresh salami has a slight cured meat smell. Rancid, rotten, or ammonia-like odors are a sure sign the salami has spoiled and should not be eaten.
Look for discoloration
As salami ages, its color darkens and eventually turns greyish-green, especially near any mold growth. If you notice discolored patches or an unusual color throughout the meat, it means the salami is over the hill. Normal hard salami should be pink, red, or brown when fresh.
Check for sliminess
Sliminess on the surface or inside sliced portions of salami indicates spoilage. If you notice a slimy texture or slimy liquid oozing from the salami, it has gone bad.
Watch for drying out
While some drying is normal for hard salami, it should still have some flexibility and moisture. If your salami is dried out to the point of being brittle, hard as a rock, and cured through, it has dried out too much and may harbor harmful bacteria. When in doubt, don’t take chances.
Consider storage conditions
How you store salami affects how long it stays fresh. Salami left out too long at room temperature or exposed to excessive heat can develop mold, bacteria, and other signs of spoilage more quickly. If your salami seems to go bad before the expiration date, poor storage may be to blame.
Watch for crustiness
As salami ages, the exterior can become cracked, flaky, and crusty. If you notice crustiness, dryness, or very hard bits on the outermost layer, it means the salami is old and past its prime. Peel away this crust and inspect the salami underneath before consuming.
Check for hollow spots
Cut into the salami and look to see if there are any hollow spots or air pockets inside, which signal decomposition. Fresh salami should appear uniformly dense and solid inside with no gaps, moisture, or sliminess.
Trust your instincts
When in doubt if salami has gone bad, remember this old adage: When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t take risks with your health. If the salami shows any odd textures, smells, colors, or you detect an “off” or questionable quality, play it safe and discard it.
How to store salami properly
To extend the shelf life of salami and prevent premature spoilage:
- Keep salami stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or below after opening.
- Wrap salami tightly in plastic wrap or place loose portions in a sealed container.
- Keep salami away from foods with strong odors that can transfer flavor.
- Avoid moisture and humidity that can cause mold growth.
- Consume refrigerated salami within 3-4 weeks after opening for best quality.
- Store unopened vacuum-packed salami in a cool, dark pantry.
- Rotate stock and use older packages before newer ones.
- Cut off moldy portions rather than discarding the whole package.
- Rinse salami before slicing to prevent transfer of mold spores.
What happens if you eat bad salami?
Eating spoiled, moldy, or contaminated salami can cause foodborne illness. Potential health risks include:
| Danger | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Salmonella | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, stomach pain |
| Listeria | Fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea |
| E. Coli | Stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps |
| Mold toxins | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain |
The elderly, pregnant women, young children, and those with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to illness from consuming spoiled or contaminated salami and deli meats. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if dried salami is still good?
Dried salami that is still safe to eat will exhibit the following qualities:
- Firm texture without sliminess
- Bright, normal coloration without graying or dark spots
- Dry exterior with no mold growth
- Meat slices are flexible and do not crack or flake
- No offensive or sour odors
- Not past expiration date and stored properly after opening
- Tight vacuum seal intact if unopened
- No signs of spoilage like air pockets inside
Hard salami can last 1-2 months refrigerated after opening if it retains these fresh characteristics. Unopened, it can last up to a year past the use by date when stored in a cool pantry out of light. Trust your eyes, nose, and common sense when determining if dried salami is still good to eat or not.
Can you freeze salami?
Yes, properly cured and dried salami can be frozen for longer storage, up to 1-2 months. To freeze salami:
- Ensure salami is fresh and unopened.
- Double wrap salami in plastic wrap, then foil, or place in freezer bag.
- Remove as much air as possible.
- Label package with contents and date.
- Freeze for up to 1-2 months at 0°F or below.
- Thaw refrigerated overnight before use.
Sliced salami or opened packages don’t freeze as well. Freezing can diminish the texture slightly but will extend the shelf life.
Can you eat salami after it sweats?
You should not eat salami that has become sweaty or slimy on the surface. “Sweating” occurs when moisture evaporates through the casing and accumulates on the exterior, causing wet spots. This can encourage microbial growth and signals the salami has likely spoiled.
Conclusion
Checking for signs of spoilage and owning proper storage habits can help prevent throwing out good salami prematurely or eating salami that could make you sick. Use common sense along with storage guidelines, expiration dates, and indicators of spoilage to determine whether your hard salami is still safe and tasty to eat.