Sausages are delicious and a rich source of protein the whole family can enjoy. You can make a hearty meal with them quickly when you don’t have much time, and you can eat them for breakfast, in soups, or on a plain hot dog bun. It’s not a surprise that sausage sales are going up since there are so many thing that can be done.
Buying good sausages and storing them the right way until it’s time to cook will keep your family healthy. Because you want your sausages to be fresh before you serve them, you need to know how long they can be kept. That way, you can be sure that the sausages you serve are always the healthiest and tastiest, just the way they should be, no matter who you’re cooking for. Here are some general guidelines regarding the shelf life of sausages.
Turkey sausage makes for a delicious, leaner alternative to pork or beef sausage. It can be used in everything from breakfast sandwiches to pasta sauce to turkey burgers. But like any raw meat, proper storage is key to keeping turkey sausage safe to eat. Here’s a thorough look at just how long turkey sausage lasts in the fridge plus tips for maximizing its freshness.
Different Types of Turkey Sausage
There are a few main varieties of turkey sausage
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Raw – Fresh, uncooked turkey sausage Must be cooked before eating
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Pre-cooked – Fully cooked turkey sausage that can be eaten as-is. Often smoked or cured.
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Frozen – Raw turkey sausage that is frozen for storage. Must thaw and cook before eating.
Each type has a different fridge life expectancy.
How Long Does Raw Turkey Sausage Last Refrigerated?
Fresh, raw turkey sausage that has not been previously frozen will keep for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.
Like any raw ground meat, raw turkey sausage is highly perishable and prone to bacteria growth when not kept chilled. Cook or freeze it within 1-2 days of purchase for maximum freshness and food safety.
How Long Does Pre-Cooked Turkey Sausage Last Refrigerated?
Pre-cooked or smoked turkey sausage that is ready to eat can be kept for up to 1 week refrigerated.
The curing and smoking process gives pre-cooked sausage more longevity. Store-bought pre-cooked turkey sausage, like kielbasa, will have a use by date on the packaging to follow.
Homemade or unmarked pre-cooked links should be eaten within a week.
How Long Does Frozen Turkey Sausage Last in the Fridge?
Raw turkey sausage that has been previously frozen can be kept for 3 to 4 days refrigerated after thawing.
Thawed meats have a shorter shelf life than fresh since the ice crystals that form during freezing cause damage to the cell structure. Cook thawed sausage within 3-4 days.
Never refreeze raw turkey sausage after it has fully thawed. Doing so increases the risk of foodborne illness.
Tips for Maximizing Freshness
Follow these tips to help turkey sausage last as long as possible:
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Purchase sausage with the latest use by date possible.
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Inspect packaging to ensure it is not torn or leaking which could lead to contamination.
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Use frozen sausage within 1 to 2 months for highest quality.
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Keep refrigerated below 40°F, the optimal temperature to slow bacteria growth.
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Separate raw turkey sausage from other foods to prevent cross contamination.
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Wrap opened packages tightly in plastic wrap or foil or place in airtight containers.
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Portion into smaller amounts to thaw and cook what you will use quickly.
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Cook leftover cooked sausage within 3-4 days and don’t let sit longer than 2 hours at room temp after cooking.
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Trust your eyes and nose. Discard sausage that looks gray or slimy or smells off.
Storing Turkey Sausage in the Freezer
For long term storage, freeze turkey sausage:
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Freeze raw turkey sausage in its original airtight packaging up to 2 months. If freezing longer, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil.
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Pre-cooked sausage can be frozen up to 2 months in freezer bags or airtight containers.
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Thaw frozen sausage overnight in the fridge. Do not thaw at room temperature.
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Turkey sausage can be cooked directly from frozen. Just add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
Proper freezing prevents quality loss. Frozen turkey sausage that is properly stored and handled can keep for 2 months or more before any noticeable decline in flavor or texture.
Signs Turkey Sausage Has Gone Bad
Discard turkey sausage that shows any of the following signs:
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Slimy or sticky texture
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Grayish, dull color
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Off odors
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Mold growth
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Sour smell when cooked
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Discoloration or dry, brown spots
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Significantly past use by date
When stored correctly in the fridge, different types of turkey sausage can last from 1 day to 1 week. Freezing extends shelf life to 2 months or more. Following safe handling and hygienic storage practices will help ensure you can enjoy the savory convenience of turkey sausage without the risk of foodborne illness. Trust your nose and eyes to determine when it’s time to throw out turkey sausage that’s looking or smelling questionable.
How to Tell if Your Sausages Have Gone Bad
If you’ve forgotten the time, the power went out, or you’re not sure if the sausage is still good to eat, look for these signs:
- Strong or unpleasant smell: If your sausage smells strong or unpleasant, it’s already gone bad. If the smell of your sausage is fishy, sour, or acidic, you should probably throw it away. When sausage is bad, it often smells like rotten eggs, so throw it away even if you bought it already cooked.
- As the sausages age, their color may change. If you see a gray or greenish tint, this is usually a sign. You should throw away cooked sausage that turns brown.
- Shape and feel changes: If your sausage gets slimy and loses its color and firmness, it’s probably no longer safe to eat.
- Mold: If your sausages have mold or any other sign of bacterial growth, you should throw them away.
- Loss of moisture: When cooked sausage starts to crack or dry out, it means it’s losing its water. You should throw it away because it’s not fresh enough to eat anymore.
How to Store Sausages Properly
You can prolong the life of your sausages with correct storage. If you pay extra attention to how you store your sausages, they will stay safe to eat and keep their great fresh, spicy taste. Keep the following tips and tricks in mind:
- Keep your hands clean and dry. Before you touch sausages, wash and dry your hands well. It prevents the spread of potentially harmful bacteria. Keep raw meat away from other foods at all times, and clean all surfaces and tools when you’re done.
- They should be kept in the coldest part of the fridge or freezer. Fridge and freezer temperatures are different. Keep in mind that meat should be kept in the fridge at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
- Follow the two-day rule: Eat fresh sausage no more than two days after buying it. It should be frozen if you plan to use it more than two days after buying it.
- Use the right containers: Whether you’re putting sausages in the fridge or the freezer, make sure you use the right container, like a tub that won’t let air in or a wrap that can handle temperatures below zero.
- If you’re not sure if your sausages are safe to eat, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
How long does raw turkey sausage last in the fridge?
How long is packaged sausage good for in the fridge?
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Type of Sausage
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Refrigerator – Unopened
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Refrigerator – After Opening
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Hard/Dry Sausage
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Whole, 6 weeks in pantry; indefinitely in refrigerator
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3 weeks
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Hot Dogs and Other Cooked Sausage
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2 weeks
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7 days
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Luncheon Meats
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2 weeks
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3 to 5 days
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Summer Sausage (Semi-dry)
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3 months
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3 weeks
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How long do uncooked sausages last in the fridge?
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Product
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Refrigerator (40 F)
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Freezer (0 F)
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Sausage, raw – from pork, beef, turkey
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1-2 days
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1-2 months
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Smoked breakfast links, patties
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7 days
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1-2 months
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Hard sausage
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Opened: 3 weeks. Unopened: indefinitely
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1-2 months
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Summer sausage labeled “keep refrigerated”
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Opened: 3 weeks. Unopened: 3 months
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1-2 months
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How to tell if sausage has gone bad?
How long does sausage last in the fridge?
Even being stored in the fridge, a sausage will still eventually go bad. It will last varying amounts of time depending on what type of sausage it is. A fresh uncooked sausage only has up to three days before it goes bad. How long is packaged sausage good for in the fridge?
How long does cooked turkey sausage last?
Cooked turkey sausage lasts up to 7 days at 39.2 ° F in the fridge. In the freezer, turkey sausage will last up to 1 month. Unopened cooked turkey sausage lasts for 2 weeks at 39.2 ° F in the refrigerator and up to 2 months at 17,6 °F in the freezer.
How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge?
In general, cooked turkey is good in the fridge for 3-4 days, but some recipes call for longer storage time, such as those that require refrigerated overnight preparation or slow cooking.
How long do chicken sausages last?
Chicken sausages last up for 3 days in paper or a plastic container at 40 °F or below in the fridge. Store homemade Chicken sausages in an airtight container for 1-2 days at 36,4 °F. Store unopen store-bought chicken sausages from 4 to 6 days at 40 °F in a fridge. Open Chicken sausages cannot be stored in a plastic bag.
Can sausages be refrigerated?
This is just congealed fat and is not something to worry about. Fresh sausages are notoriously bad for storing in a fridge. This is because they only last for up to three days. These sausages should be treated similarly to any other perishable good and should not be unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours.
How long do raw sausages last after being frozen?
Properly stored, they will maintain best quality for about 1 to 2 months, but will remain safe beyond that time. The freezer time shown is for best quality only – sausages that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. How long do raw sausages last after being frozen and thawed?