Does Sausage Bread Need to Be Refrigerated?

My Sausage Cheese Bread, which only needs three ingredients, is the best bread ever and will please bread and cheese lovers of all ages. Each bite features creamy melted mozzarella cheese and spicy pork sausage wrapped in crusty warm French bread.

I remember how great this sausage bread tastes, how easy it is to make, and how many ways it can be used every time I make it. I know you will love it as much as we do.

Sausage bread is a delicious baked good that combines the hearty taste of sausage with the familiar comfort of bread. It makes for a satisfying snack appetizer or even a light meal. But after baking up a fresh loaf of sausage bread, many home cooks wonder – does it need to be refrigerated or can it be left out at room temperature?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide a complete overview of proper sausage bread storage, safety and freshness so you can enjoy this savory bread from baking day through day 5

What is Sausage Bread?

For those unfamiliar, sausage bread consists of sausage meat – ground pork, chicken, turkey or beef flavored with herbs and spices – that is rolled up inside a bread dough before baking. The dough itself is often a pizza dough, French bread dough or even crescent roll dough that gets tightly wrapped around the savory sausage filling.

Some common sausage bread fillings include:

Pork sausage (mild or spicy)
Italian sausage
Chicken sausage
Turkey sausage
Vegetarian sausage

The sausage adds tons of meaty flavor throughout the bread, while the dough exterior bakes up golden brown and crusty. The contrast of flaky crust with soft, cheese-filled center makes each bite of sausage bread irresistible!

Does Sausage Bread Need Refrigeration?

Now onto the key question at hand – does sausage bread need to be refrigerated? The short answer is yes. Since there is raw meat baked into the dough, sausage bread must be refrigerated for safety and freshness.

Here’s a more detailed overview of proper storage guidelines:

Allow to cool completely before refrigerating. The internal temperature should be down below 40°F before storing in the fridge.
Refrigerate within 2 hours of baking. Do not leave sausage bread out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Double wrap in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents drying out which leads to staling.
Use within 3-5 days for best quality. Eat refrigerated sausage bread within 3-5 days before it starts to decline in texture and flavor.
Freeze for longer term storage. Well-wrapped sausage bread can be frozen for 2-3 months.

Following these refrigeration guidelines consistently will ensure your sausage bread stays fresh and safe to eat all week long after baking. Don’t take shortcuts when handling this meat-filled bread!

Why Refrigeration is Necessary

You may be wondering why sausage bread can’t be left out like regular bread. Here’s a closer look at why refrigeration is so important:

1. Raw meat safety – Uncooked sausage carries bacteria that can multiply rapidly at room temperature. Refrigeration keeps the raw meat components chilled below 40°F where bacteria cannot thrive.

2. Prevent spoilage – Without refrigeration, sausage bread will develop mold growth and spoil within 1-2 days. Cold temperatures significantly slow down spoilage.

3. Maintain moisture – Refrigeration helps lock in moisture and prevents the bread from drying out and becoming stale tasting.

4. Extend shelf life – Proper chilling gives sausage bread the longest lasting freshness over 5+ days, vs just 1-2 days at room temp.

5. Avoid foodborne illness – Unrefrigerated meat and dairy fillings put you at risk for food poisoning. Refrigeration minimizes this risk.

As you can see, there are several critical reasons why sausage bread must be refrigerated. Don’t take any chances with this tasty meat-filled bread!

How Long Does Sausage Bread Last in the Fridge?

When stored properly in the refrigerator, sausage bread will maintain best quality for 3-5 days.

Here are some general guidelines for fridge life:

1-2 days – Still fresh, soft and moist. Excellent eating quality.
3-4 days – Texture is slightly firmer but still tasty if reheated.
5 days – Drying out, beginning to stale. Use for making crumbs or freeze.
6-7 days – Increased risk of spoilage. Discard bread if older than 5 days.

Be sure to rely on your senses too. If at any point you notice an off smell, color changes or slimy texture, err on the side of caution and toss the bread. Safety first!

Following the 3-5 day timeline will ensure you safely enjoy your homemade sausage bread while it’s at peak freshness.

Tips for Keeping Sausage Bread Fresh

Here are some useful tips for maintaining freshness and extending the fridge life of sausage bread:

Let cool fully before refrigerating – don’t rush into the fridge while still warm.
Double wrap in both plastic wrap and foil.
Store in the back of the fridge away from the door.
Keep loaf intact until ready to slice more to prevent drying out.
Wrap sliced bread in airtight container or bag.
Avoid over-toasting when reheating to retain moisture.
Slice only what you plan on eating within 1-2 days.

With proper handling, you can keep your sausage bread tasting great for 3-5 days after baking. Follow these freshness tips for best results.

Freezing Sausage Bread

For extended storage, sausage bread can successfully be frozen for 2-3 months while still retaining quality and taste. Here are some freezing tips:

Allow bread to cool fully before freezing – don’t rush into the freezer while still warm.
Double wrap bread in both plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn.
Place in freezer bags, squeezing out excess air. Label with date and contents.
Slice loaf prior to freezing for quicker defrosting and reheating portions later on.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

With proper freezing techniques, you can stash fresh-baked sausage bread in the freezer and enjoy it months later. Quite a handy meal prep strategy!

How to Reheat Refrigerated Sausage Bread

Bringing sausage bread back to life is easy. Here are some recommended reheating methods:

Oven – Preheat oven to 300°F. Place bread on a baking sheet and reheat 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Toaster Oven – Toast 4-6 minutes at 300°F to crispen exterior while heating interior.
Microwave – Heat in 30 second intervals, checking frequently, until warm. Keep an eye on it.
Skillet – Toast bread 2-3 minutes per side over medium-low heat in a lightly greased skillet.

The key is gentle, low heat to warm the bread without over-drying. Let the bread cool a few minutes before eating so molten hot fillings don’t burn your mouth!

Safety Tips

When working with sausage bread, adhere to the following safety guidelines:

Wash hands and baking surfaces before and after handling raw meat.
Ensure sausage mixture reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
Never leave sausage bread sitting out more than 2 hours before refrigerating.
When reheating, heat bread to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Discard bread if mold appears or you notice an off smell or appearance.

Following basic food safety practices keeps your sausage bread fresh and reduces risk of foodborne illness.

Signs It’s Gone Bad

Throw out sausage bread if you notice any of the following signs of spoilage:

Mold growth – discard entire loaf if even a small spot of mold appears.
Slimy texture – bacteria growth causes a slippery, shiny look and feel.
Sour smell – an off or sour odor indicates spoilage.
Discoloration – greyish or greenish tint signifies bread is spoiled.
Dried out – hard as a rock texture means bread is overly stale. When in doubt, throw it out!

Rely on visual cues, smell and touch to determine safety and freshness. Don’t take chances with old bread.

Serving Ideas

Ready to dig into that tasty sausage bread? Here are some delicious ways to serve it:

As a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin or biscuit
Slice and toast for bruschetta topped with tomatoes, basil and balsamic glaze
Entree with sides like roasted potatoes and steamed vegetables
Cut into cubes for appetizers with smoked gouda and pickled onions
Slice and use for mini sandwiches served open faced

With so many options for serving, you’ll never get bored with leftover sausage bread! It adds hearty protein to both sweet and savory dishes.

Making it Kid Friendly

To adapt sausage bread for little ones, here are some easy tips:

Use mild rather than spicy sausage
Add a melty cheese filling like cheddar or mozzarella
Shape into fun individual “breadsticks” versus a full loaf
Serve with kid-friendly dippers like tomato sauce, salsa

does sausage bread need to be refrigerated

Here’s what’s in it – only three ingredients:

French bread dough: is the secret ingredient that makes this recipe so easy. Just pop the can, unroll the dough, add the sausage and cheese, and voila, you are done!.

Mozzarella cheese: originated in Italy and was first made from water buffaloes’ milk. That’s why you sometimes see it referred to as buffalo mozzarella. Now, most mozzarella is made from cow’s milk. Creamy and decadent with a slight tang, it pairs beautifully with the sausage.

Pork sausage: I use what’s commonly called breakfast sausage in this recipe. Usually, you can find it in a roll in a plastic wrapper. You can use hot sausage or Italian sausage if you like spicy food. If not, you can use regular or mild sausage.

Here’s how to make it:

To get started, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir frequently and break it up into small crumbles. It should be done after ten minutes or until it is no longer pink. Take it out with a slotted spoon and let it dry well on paper towels. Set aside.
Next, bring the dough out of the can and open it up. Find the seam in the dough. Once you have the seam, carefully unroll the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper using your fingers. You should have a nice rectangle.
Lay out the dough so that the cooked sausage is on top of it.
Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and again spread out evenly.
Now comes the fun part. With great care, carefully roll up the bread dough jelly-roll style on the longer side, beginning at one end. To keep the filling from leaking out, pinch the ends a little.
Make sure the seam side is under the bread log, and cut a few small slits in the top with a knife.
Put it in the oven for 30 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
Let the bread cool for five minutes after it’s done, if your family will let you. Cut it into slices that are about an inch to an inch and a half thick. Serve right away.

Garlic Sausage Bread

FAQ

Do sausage rolls need to be kept refrigerated?

A cooked sausage roll will last in your fridge for up to three days. Be sure to pop it in the fridge once it’s cooled down though, as a sausage roll shouldn’t be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If you freeze your sausage roll, it will last for up to three months.

Does bread with meat need to be refrigerated?

Any breads containing meat or hard cooked eggs must be refrigerated within 2 hours.

Does store bought bread need to be refrigerated?

In short, if you plan to eat your bread quickly, store it at room temperature in a cool, dark, dry place such as a pantry, bread box, or cabinet, or freeze it if you want it to last longer. Bread stored at room temperature should be kept in its original packaging or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

Does sandwich bread need to be refrigerated?

DON’T: Store in the Fridge Storing your bread in the fridge is the fastest way to make it go stale. That once soft, delicate, and hearty bread, is now stale and hard. However, if you happen to keep it in the fridge, it may take away that soft texture it once had, but using cold bread is perfectly fine for toasting.

How do you reheat leftover sausage bread?

The leftover sausage bread should be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated. To reheat the sausage bread slices, place in a pre-heated 350°F oven until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Bread slices may also be warmed in the microwave, covered with a paper towel for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until warmed through.

Can you cook sausage bread in a gas oven?

Allow the sausage bread loaf to cool in the pan on a cooling rack for a few minutes before turning out to cool. Enjoy the sausage bread slices warm or at room temperature. Cook’s note: I use a gas oven for cooking and baking so adjust cook times if needed for your type of oven.

How long do you bake sausage bread?

(Make sure the bread is seam-side down on the baking sheet!!) Finally, brush the loaf with a beaten egg. Finally, bake your sausage bread. Bake the dough in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden and the bread is cooked through. Allow loaf to rest 10 minutes before slicing, then enjoy!

Is sausage bread a good recipe?

This Sausage Bread might be the most versatile recipe in your recipe box! It’s perfect as an appetizer or a weeknight dinner recipe. You can even serve it on game day or take it along on picnics or potlucks! Crumbled sausage and cheese, cooked inside pizza dough, equals Sausage Bread, y’all!