Sausages are delicious and a rich source of protein the whole family can enjoy. They’re perfect for creating a hearty meal when you don’t have much time to prepare, and you can enjoy them for breakfast, in soups or in a simple hot dog bun. The possibilities are endless, which is why it should come as no surprise that sausage sales are on the rise.
You can keep your family healthy by choosing high-quality sausages and storing them correctly until it’s time to cook. You’ll always want to ensure your sausages are fresh before serving them, so you need to know their shelf life. That way, no matter who you’re cooking for, you can always ensure you’re serving the healthiest and most delicious sausages possible — sausages the way they should be. Here are some general guidelines regarding the shelf life of sausages.
Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 °F or less). Hard or dry sausage (such as pepperoni and Genoa salami), whole and unopened, can be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator or for up to six weeks in the pantry.
Hard or Dry Sausage
When unopened, you can indefinitely store sausages like salami and pepperoni in the fridge. You can keep them for six weeks at room temperature, such as in your pantry. Once opened, they will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
How to Store Sausages Properly
You can prolong the life of your sausages with correct storage. Taking extra time to focus on storage will keep your sausages safe to eat and maintain that fresh, spicy taste we all love. Keep the following tips and tricks in mind:
- Keep your hands clean and dry: Wash your hands and dry them thoroughly before you handle sausages. It prevents the spread of potentially harmful bacteria. When working with raw meat, always keep it away from other food and wash all surfaces and utensils when finished.
- Keep them in the coldest part of the fridge or freezer: Fridge and freezer temperatures vary. Remember, the ideal temperature to store meat in the refrigerator is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
- Stick to the two-day rule: Always use fresh sausage within two days of buying it. If you plan on using it more than two days from purchase, freeze it.
- Use the correct containers: Whether you are refrigerating or freezing sausages, ensure you use an appropriate container, like an airtight tub or a wrapping suitable for temperatures below zero
- Err on the side of caution: If you’re unsure whether your sausages are safe to eat, throw them away.
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
How do you know if raw sausage has gone bad?
How should uncooked sausages be stored in a fridge?
How long is packaged sausage good for in the fridge?
Can you eat sausages 7 days out of date?
How long do raw sausages last in the fridge?
Raw sausages can last in the fridge for 1-2 days after the sell-by date if they were purchased fresh. This is assuming that the sausages were stored properly in the fridge. If the sausages were not stored under proper refrigeration, they may spoil even before the sell-by date.
How long do leftover sausages last?
However, it can be very easy to underestimate how filling these sausages are. Any leftover sausages can be easily stored in the fridge and eaten in a sandwich or on their own the next day. If stored properly in the fridge, these sausages will last for up to five days.
Can sausage be refrigerated?
All sausages- except dry sausage – are perishable and therefore must be kept refrigerated or frozen. Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 °F or less).
How long do raw sausages last after the sell-by date?
After sausages are purchased, they may be refrigerated for 1 to 2 days – the “sell-by” date on the package may expire during that storage period, but the sausages will remain safe to use after the sell by date if they has been properly stored.