How long can you freeze pork sausage?
In this article, we will answer the question “How long can you freeze pork sausage?”, and how to freeze sausages?
How long can you freeze pork sausage?
Uncooked or cooked pork sausage can be kept in the freezer for 6-8 months. If properly stored, sausage remains safe beyond 8 months but the quality is compromised. Frozen sausages are best consumed within 2-3 months of storage.
Sausages must be frozen within the refrigerator storage time window mentioned on the package. The following table shows an estimated shelf-life of pork sausage, loin, and chops in the fridge and freezer.
| (Uncooked) | In the fridge | In the freezer |
| Fresh pork loin | 1-2 days | 6-8 months |
| Pork sausage | 3-4 days | 6-8 months |
| (Cooked) | In the fridge | In the freezer |
| Pork shoulder/Loin/Chops/Sausage | 7 days | 6-8 months |
The shelf-life of bacon and sausage
| Product | Refrigerator (40℉) | Freezer (0℉) |
| Bacon | 7 days | 1 month |
| Sausage, raw – from pork, beef, turkey | 1-2 days | 1-2 months |
| Smoked breakfast links, patties | 7 days | 1-2 months |
| Hard sausage | Opened: 3 weeks. Unopened: Indefinitely | 1-2 months |
| Summer sausage labeled “keep refrigerated” | Opened: 3 weeks. Unopened: 3 months | 1-2 months |
How to freeze sausages?
Uncooked sausages
Make portions: Divide the raw or uncooked sausages into meal-sized portions. However, if the package is unopened and it contains just the number of sausages that you will be thawing at a time, pop it in the freezer as-is.
Put into bags: Put the portioned raw sausages into heady-duty freezer bags. Make sure the seal is sound and intact.
Label and freeze: Squeeze as much air as possible from the bag. Put a clear label over it using tape and a marker. This will help keep track of the shelf-life of the sausages. Chuck it in the back of the freezer, or where it is the coldest.
Cooked sausages
Let it cool: After cooking the sausages as per the instructions, you need to let and cool and allow the steam to escape. Otherwise, the steam will get trapped inside the container during freezing and deteriorate the quality and safety of sausages over time.
Wrap: Wrap the cooked ad cooled sausages in cling film after dividing them into portions. Wrapping individual sausage is not necessary.
Put into bags: Put the wrapped and portioned cooked sausages into heady-duty freezer bags. Make sure the seal is sound and intact.
Label and freeze: Squeeze as much air as possible from the bag to create a vacuum-like environment. Put a clear label over it using tape and a marker. This will help keep track of the shelf-life of the sausages. Chuck it in the back of the freezer, or where it is the coldest.
How to freeze sausage meat?
Grab a roll of foil, scissors, and thick freezer bags and follow the steps below to safely freeze sausage meat.
Remove the packaging: Take out the large block of sausage meat from its original packaging.
Divide into portions: Make meal-sized portions of the sausage meat by cutting or slicing the sausage meat using a sharp knife.
Wrap and bag up: Wrap each portion of sausage meat using aluminum foil. For added protection, place these wrapped pieces of meat in heavy-duty freezer bags.
Label and freeze: Squeeze as much air as possible from the bag to create a vacuum-like environment. Put a clear label over it using tape and a marker. This will help keep track of the shelf-life of the sausages. Chuck it in the back of the freezer, or where it is the coldest.
How can you tell if the frozen sausage is bad?
Cooked or uncooked, sausage should give off a pleasant aroma. A rancid or putrid odor won’t go unnoticed and is a clear indication of spoiled sausage.
If the sausage develops a slimy film, it is done for. Similarly, if the sausage develops grey or dark patches over its surface, it has spoiled and should be tossed in the bin.
Can you eat 2-year-old frozen sausages?
According to the USDA, sausages stored at a steady temperature of 0℉ will last indefinitely. So, 2-year-old sausages may not necessarily be bad/spoiled but they sure won’t have a desirable taste, texture, and flavor. In that case, it is best to get rid of the sausages.
Can you refreeze sausages?
It is not recommended to refreeze cooked sausage due to quality and safety reasons. Uncooked sausage can be refrozen only if:
- It was thawed in the fridge
- It was thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165℉
Other FAQs about Sausages that you may be interested in.
Can you eat corn dogs while pregnant?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How long can you freeze pork sausage?”, and how to freeze sausages?
