You grabbed a whole pepperoni stick from the non-refrigerated produce section of the grocery store. Now you’re at home and wondering: does this have to go in the fridge or is the pantry okay? Meanwhile, last week’s opened bag of sliced pepperoni is definitely in the fridge, but you don’t know how long it’ll last.
Should pepperoni be refrigerated?
The short answer: It depends on the type you have. A whole, unopened pepperoni stick does not require refrigeration before opening. This is a shelf-stable cured sausage that can be stored in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 weeks. Once opened, it must be refrigerated and used within 3 weeks according to USDA FSIS. Sliced pepperoni should be refrigerated at all times, opened or unopened.
To learn more about storing cured meats and charcuterie products, visit Food Storage Guide.
Key takeaways
Whole stick, unopened: no refrigeration necessary; keep cool and dry for up to 6 weeks Whole stick, after opening: must be refrigerated; use within 3 weeks Shelf-stable sliced bags (Hormel, Signature, aisle section): no refrigeration before opening; refrigerate afterwards and use within 21 days Sliced pepperoni in refrigerated section: always refrigerate; use within 7 days of opening Sliced cold cuts at the counter: always refrigerate; use within 3 to 5 days Left aside more than 2 hours after opening: throw away (in slices) or refrigerate quickly (whole stick) Should a whole pepperoni stick be refrigerated? No, not before opening. A whole, intact pepperoni stick is a shelf-stable dry-cured sausage. The USDA FSIS defines dry sausage as products preserved by fermentation, curing agents including nitrates, and drying to a specific humidity level that prevents bacteria from growing at room temperature. A whole, unopened pepperoni stick can be stored in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 weeks without any refrigeration. That’s why you find whole sticks hanging on unrefrigerated shelves at grocery stores and gas stations.
Refrigerating a whole, unopened stick extends its shelf life even further. Kept cold at all times, a whole, unopened stick can last indefinitely according to USDA guidelines, although quality is best within 6 months before the fat begins to go rancid.
Once you cut or open the stick it changes. The cut end is now exposed to air and bacteria. The USDA FSIS says to refrigerate opened hard or dry sausages and use them within 3 weeks. Wrap the cut end tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight bag and store it in the main body of the refrigerator, not the door.
Does shelf stable sliced pepperoni (aisle bags) need to be refrigerated? Not before opening. Vacuum-sealed bags of sliced pepperoni sold on unrefrigerated grocery store shelves (pizza aisle, snack aisle, or deli section) are shelf-stable products. Brands like Hormel and Signature sell them in the aisles precisely because the vacuum seal replicates the protection of an intact case, keeping out oxygen and bacteria. No refrigeration required until you break the seal.
Once opened: Refrigerate immediately and use within 21 days, per Hormel’s FAQ advice. One thing to be aware of: these bags often give off a pungent, pungent odor when first opened. This is lactic acid from the fermentation process which is released under vacuum. It dissipates within a minute or two and does not mean the product is defective.
Should sliced pepperoni in the refrigerated section be refrigerated? Yes, always. Pepperoni slices sold in the refrigerated deli section should be kept cold, whether the package is opened or not. Use within 7 days of opening. Counter-cut deli pepperoni slices are even more perishable: consume within 3 to 5 days. The simple rule: match the storage to where you bought it. The refrigerated section means keeping it in the refrigerator. The aisle shelf means the pantry fits right up to the opening.
Why are some pepperoni sold unrefrigerated? The answer is the curing and drying process. According to the USDA FSIS, dry-cured sausages are shelf-stable because the combination of salt, fermentation acids (lactic acid from starter cultures), nitrates and low humidity creates an environment in which harmful bacteria cannot grow at room temperature. The water activity of a properly dried pepperoni stick is typically below 0.85, which is the threshold below which most disease-causing bacteria cannot grow.
This is the same principle as that of dried beef, country ham and other long-life cold meats. The curing and drying process does the work of preservation, making refrigeration optional before opening rather than required.
Note: The USDA also advises that because dry sausage is uncooked, people at higher risk, including pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people with compromised immune systems, should consider avoiding uncooked dry sausage. The USDA specifically cites E. coli O157:H7 as a concern and now tests fermented sausages for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Cooking the pepperoni (like on pizza) completely eliminates this worry.
How to Store Each Type of Pepperoni Whole pepperoni stick (unopened)
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Refrigeration further extends shelf life; Unopened, it will keep indefinitely in the refrigerator. Do not freeze a whole, unopened stick unless you want to store it for more than 6 months. Whole pepperoni stick (after opening)
Wrap the cut end tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airless zip-top bag. Refrigerate immediately on an indoor shelf, not on the door. Use within 3 weeks of opening. Cut into portions and freeze before the 3 week window closes if necessary. Shelf-stable sliced bags (Hormel, Signature, Aisle Shelf)
No refrigeration required before opening. Store in a cool, dry pantry. Once opened, refrigerate immediately in an airtight container or resealable bag. Use within 21 days of opening as directed by Hormel, or before expiration date. The strong odor when first opened is due to normal off-gassing of lactic acid. No deterioration. Sliced pepperoni and refrigerated deli counter
See also
Store in the refrigerator at all times, opened or unopened. After opening, reseal the package tightly or transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerated section sachets: use within 7 days after opening. Counter-sliced cold cuts: use within 3 to 5 days. Store away from raw meat on an indoor shelf to avoid cross-contamination. Recipes that use pepperoni Working on sliced pepperoni before it turns over? These low carb heart shaped tortilla pizzas use pre-sliced pepperoni as the main topping and take less than 20 minutes from start to finish. For something more substantial, gluten-free stuffed mushrooms pairs well with finely chopped pepperoni incorporated into the topping. For complete guidance from the USDA on the storage and safety of dry sausages, visit USDA FSIS Sausage and Food Safety Page.
FAQ: Can you leave pepperoni out overnight?
It depends. A whole, unopened pepperoni stick, left overnight in a cool, dry environment, is ideal: it has a long shelf life. An opened stick or any sliced pepperoni left at room temperature overnight should be discarded. The USDA 2-hour rule applies: Perishable meat left at room temperature for more than 2 hours enters a window of bacterial growth that makes it unsafe, regardless of how it looks or smells.
FAQ: Should pepperoni be refrigerated after opening?
Yes, always. Once a whole pepperoni stick is cut or a package of sliced pepperoni is opened, the contents must be refrigerated. Wrap or seal tightly and store at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Use whole sticks within 3 weeks of opening. Use sliced pepperoni within 7 days of opening. For full advice on shelf life and signs of spoilage, see does pepperoni go bad.
FAQ: Does pepperoni need to be refrigerated before opening if purchased in the refrigerated section?
Yes. If it was sold in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, store it in the refrigerator. Some whole sticks are sold refrigerated because they have been packaged differently, contain less drying, or because the retailer simply stores all cold cuts as a consistent policy. If in doubt, adapt storage to where you bought it: if it comes from a refrigerated case, keep it cool. If it comes from a non-refrigerated shelf, the pantry can be stored until opened.
Further reading Does pepperoni go bad? Food Storage Guide Better Living may earn commissions through affiliate links and may occasionally offer sponsored or partnered content. If you make a purchase through our links, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.
