Can You Freeze Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage? The Complete Guide

Summer sausage is a tasty and easy-to-carry snack that you can eat by itself or with a charcuterie board.

But what happens when you have more summer sausage than you can eat in a few weeks?

In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of freezing Hickory Farms beef summer sausage.

Hickory Farms’ beef summer sausage is a tasty treat loved by many But what if you can’t eat it all right away or want to stock up? Can you freeze this delicious sausage to enjoy later? The short answer is yes!

Freezing is a great way to extend the shelf life of Hickory Farms’ beef summer sausage while preserving its flavor and texture. This complete guide has everything you need to know about freezing this popular sausage.

An Overview of Hickory Farms’ Beef Summer Sausage

Hickory Farms offers several varieties of beef summer sausage, including original hot & spicy and pepper jack flavors. They are made from a blend of premium beef and pork, then slow-smoked over a hickory wood fire.

This smoking process gives the sausages their distinctive smoky flavor and snappy texture. Hickory Farms’ beef summer sausages contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

These ready-to-eat sausages have a fridge shelf life of about 2-3 weeks when stored properly. But freezing allows you to keep Hickory Farms’ beef summer sausage fresh for up to 1 year.

Can You Freeze Beef Summer Sausage?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze Hickory Farms beef summer sausage! Freezing is an ideal way to extend the shelf life of the sausages while maintaining their taste and texture.

When frozen properly, the beef summer sausages retain their quality and flavor for up to 12 months. They thaw well and can go directly from freezer to table without compromising their signature hickory smoked taste.

How to Freeze Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage

Freezing Hickory Farms beef summer sausage is easy. Here are some tips:

Leave sausage in original packaging or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags. This prevents freezer burn.
Portion into serving sizes if desired. This makes for easy thawing.
Lay packages flat to freeze quickly. Avoid stacking.
Place in freezer bags or airtight containers. Protects from oxidation and freezer burn.
Remove air and seal bags/containers tightly.
Label with contents and freeze-by date. Beef summer sausage lasts 9-12 months frozen.
Freeze within 1-2 weeks of opening for best quality.
Freeze at 0°F or colder for consistent texture and flavor.

Thawing Frozen Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage

Thawing properly ensures the sausage retains its signature flavor and texture. Here are some tips:

For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Helps maintain quality.
Can also thaw sealed packages in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.
Microwave thawing is okay, but may affect texture. Defrost at 50% power and stir occasionally.
Cook frozen sausage directly on the grill or in the oven/skillet. Just increase cook time.
Once thawed, eat within 3-5 days. Do not refreeze thawed sausage. Compromises safety and quality.
If sausage feels slimy or smells off, it has spoiled. When in doubt, throw it out!

Tips for Enjoying Frozen and Thawed Beef Summer Sausage

Here are some serving ideas:

Slice thin and eat straight from the freezer. The chilled slices are sturdy enough.
Fry frozen slices in a skillet for quick appetizers or snacks.
Chop fully thawed sausage and add to soups, casseroles, eggs, pizza, pasta, etc.
Wrap slices around cheese, pickles, or crackers for fun roll-ups.
Grill or pan-fry thawed sausage whole, sliced, or diced to add smoky flavor.
Bake thawed slices on nachos, flatbreads, or pizza. Crisps up nicely.
Puree fully defrosted sausage and use as a sandwich spread.

Storing Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage

Follow these storage tips:

Store unopened packages in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for up to 2 months.
Once opened, keep refrigerated and use within 2 weeks.
Wrap opened packages tightly in plastic wrap or foil before storing in the fridge.
Freeze for longer term storage. Beef summer sausage keeps 9-12 months in a 0°F freezer.
Look for signs of spoilage like off-colors, sliminess, or fouls smells before eating.

Can You Refreeze Thawed Hickory Farms Summer Sausage?

It’s not recommended to refreeze thawed beef summer sausage. Refreezing can compromise the safety and quality. Thawed sausage may turn dry or mushy in texture.

For best results, thaw frozen sausage in the fridge then use within 3-5 days. Discard any remaining portions. Only re-freeze sausage if it was thawed in the fridge for just 1-2 days.

The Bottom Line

Hickory Farms’ beloved beef summer sausages can absolutely be frozen for extended freshness. With proper freezing and thawing methods, you can keep these sausages for up to a year while maintaining their signature smoky flavor and snappy texture.

Freezing allows you to always have Hickory Farms’ sausage on hand. So go ahead and stock up knowing they freeze extremely well!

can you freeze hickory farms beef summer sausage

How To Store Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage

Your Hickory Farms beef summer sausage is ready to be frozen after being properly wrapped and labeled.

We suggest putting it in the freezer’s coldest area, like the back or bottom shelf, so it stays frozen completely.

If you freeze your sausage, it will stay safe to eat, but when it thaws, it may make it taste a little different.

Moving your frozen sausage to the fridge and letting it thaw slowly overnight is the best way to do it.

You can eat Hickory Farms beef summer sausage like it’s fresh after it has thawed.

Also, keep in mind that once your sausage is opened, it should be kept in the fridge and eaten within three months to keep it as fresh as possible.

If you keep your Hickory Farms beef summer sausage in this way, you can enjoy it for months to come.

Can You Freeze Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage?

The short answer is yes, you can freeze Hickory Farms beef summer sausage.

To make sure your summer sausage stays fresh for longer, freezing it is one of the best ways to make it last longer.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when freezing your Hickory Farms beef summer sausage.

Firstly, it’s important to properly wrap and store your sausage before placing it in the freezer.

It should be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or it should be put in a container or freezer bag that won’t let air in.

This will help prevent freezer burn and keep your sausage fresh for longer.

To keep track of how long the sausage has been in the freezer, you should also write on the package the date you frozen it.

Usinger’s vs. Hickory Farms! Summer Sausage comparison.

FAQ

Can beef summer sausage be frozen?

Try to eliminate air from the package whether wrapping in Ziploc^® bags, freezer paper, or plastic wrap. You can freeze items for 1-2 months without affecting the flavor and quality of the sausage. Sausage frozen for more than 2 months will gradually undergo a loss of flavor and quality.

How do you thaw frozen summer sausages?

Place the frozen sausages on a microwave-safe plate. If the sausages are stuck together, briefly run them under cold tap water until they come apart. Put the plate in your microwave oven and select the defrost setting. Let your sausages cook in the microwave for three to five minutes or until fully thawed.

How do you store beef summer sausage?

If you’re not sure whether your sausage needs to be refrigerated, check with the manufacturer. You can also look on the packaging – if it says “Refrigerate after opening,” you’re safe to put it in the pantry until you’re ready to use it. If it says “Needs refrigeration,” toss it in your fridge.

How do you wrap summer sausage for freezer?

pmmpete. Pikeman taught me to package pieces of summer sausage for freezing by first wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, and then wrapping it in aluminum foil to hold down the plastic wrap, and to provide another layer of protection against freezer burn.

Can you freeze summer sausage?

In fact, if done properly, you can freeze your sausages for as long as 10 months. To freeze summer sausage, you will need some freezer paper, tape, and a permanent marker. You will need to wrap the summer sausage with freezer paper before putting it in. Be sure to tear off enough freezer paper to completely cover the sausage

Do Hickory Farms items need to be refrigerated?

Some of our items must be refrigerated, while others do not. If you refrigerate our items, it will keep them fresher longer. If you plan on freezing our sausage and cheese, keep that in mind if you plan on serving them for an upcoming event Does Hickory Farms offer free delivery on gift baskets?

Do Hickory Farms gift baskets need to be refrigerated?

Do summer sausages need to be refrigerated?

If you notice an odd odor, then it is time to get rid of them. To maximize the shelf life of any type of food, including summer sausages, refrigeration is still your best bet. Typically, you can keep your uncut summer sausages in the refrigerator for as long as three to six months.