How long does pâté last?

Pâté sliced at the deli counter keeps only 1 to 2 days in the fridge. Packaged meat or poultry pâté keeps about 7 days, within the date on the pack. Pâté freezes for 1 to 2 months.

Food	Fridge	Freezer
Pâté from the deli counter	1–2 daysfrom purchase	1–2 months
Packaged meat pâtéWrap leftover pâté in plastic film.	7 days	—
Packaged poultry pâté	7 days	—

Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to tell if pâté has gone bad

A sour or off smell.
A slimy, sticky surface or a gray, dull color.
Mold, or a liquid that has separated out.

How to store pâté

Keep pâté in the coldest part of the fridge.
Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic film, pressed against the surface.
Don't leave it out for more than 2 hours on a platter.

Can you freeze pâté?

Yes, for 1 to 2 months, well wrapped. The texture can turn a little grainy and wet, which suits spreading on toast better than slicing. Thaw it in the fridge and eat it within a day or two.

Questions

Is pâté safe during pregnancy?

Health agencies advise pregnant people to avoid refrigerated pâté and meat spreads because of listeria. Canned, shelf-stable pâté is considered safer.

How long does opened pâté last?

1 to 2 days for deli pâté, and within the date on the package for packaged pâté, usually only a few days after opening.

How long does canned pâté last?

Unopened canned pâté keeps in the pantry until its date; once opened, treat it like fresh pâté.

Add pâté to ShelfLife when you open it.

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