How Long Can You Leave a Sausage Roll Out Before It Goes Bad?

Sausage rolls are a beloved snack in many parts of the world. The combination of savory sausage wrapped in flaky pastry is hard to resist But like any perishable food, sausage rolls need to be handled properly to avoid foodborne illness So how long can you leave a sausage roll out before it goes bad?

What is a Sausage Roll?

A sausage roll consists of sausage meat that is seasoned, rolled up in pastry, then baked The sausage meat is made from ground pork or other meats, salt, spices, and sometimes breadcrumbs or rusk. The pastry surrounds and seals the sausage to create a handheld snack that is crispy on the outside and savory on the inside.

Sausage rolls can be made at home, but they are also mass-produced for sale at bakeries, groceries stores, and fast food chains. Popular brands include Greggs and Pukka Pies in the UK and Mrs Mac’s in Australia.

Can Sausage Rolls be Left at Room Temperature?

Like other cooked foods containing meat and dairy products, sausage rolls can be prone to bacterial growth if left out too long at room temperature. Bacteria multiply rapidly between 40°F and 140°F.

According to food safety recommendations, cooked meat and pastry products should not be left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. This includes sausage rolls, pies, quiche, and anything similar.

After 2 hours in the danger zone, sausage rolls may begin to develop harmful levels of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Reheating the sausage roll thoroughly should kill any bacteria, but it’s better to avoid letting the sausage roll sit out for too long.

How Long Can Sausage Rolls Stay Out?

Most food safety experts agree that sausage rolls are only safe out of refrigeration for up to 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is over 90°F. This 2 hour window includes:

• The time the sausage roll sits on the bakery shelf or hot case
• The time spent carrying the sausage roll home
• Any time sitting out before eating

If a sausage roll is left out longer than 2 hours, it enters the danger zone for bacterial growth and should be thrown away. The pastry may still look fine, but bacteria can grow undetected on the inside.

Reheating the sausage roll thoroughly should kill bacteria, but it doesn’t necessarily make the sausage roll safe to eat again. Some toxins produced by bacteria can survive high temperatures.

Do Sausage Rolls Need Refrigeration?

To extend the shelf life of cooked sausage rolls and keep them safe, proper refrigeration is important. Freshly baked sausage rolls should be refrigerated within 2 hours.

In the fridge:

• Sausage rolls can last 1-2 days. For food safety, they should be eaten within 48 hours.
• The pastry may start to dry out after a day or two but reheating in the oven or microwave should refresh it.

For longer storage, sausage rolls can be frozen for 2-3 months. Make sure they are cooled completely before freezing. Reheat frozen sausage rolls until steaming hot all the way through.

Vacuum-sealed sausage rolls from brands like Greggs are designed to stay shelf-stable without refrigeration. But once opened, they should be eaten or refrigerated within 2 hours like homemade sausage rolls.

Can Sausage Rolls be Left Out Overnight?

Leaving cooked sausage rolls out on the counter overnight is risky. Bacteria can multiply to unsafe levels in 8 hours or less in the danger zone. For food safety, sausage rolls should always be refrigerated if not eaten right away.

But what if you grab a sausage roll from the bakery in the morning to eat for lunch? Is it still safe after being unrefrigerated up to 8 hours?

According to recommendations, cooked foods that contain meat or dairy should not sit out for more than 2 hours before going straight into the fridge. Sausage rolls left out for 8 hours or more could potentially harbor dangerous levels of bacteria. It’s better to be safe and throw out sausage rolls that sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

How to Store Sausage Rolls Safely

To get the most out of your sausage rolls and avoid foodborne illness, follow these safe storage guidelines:

• At room temperature: Eat within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if temps are over 90°F.
• Refrigerated: Eat within 1-2 days for best quality and safety.
• Frozen: Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.
• Reheating: Reheat refrigerated or frozen sausage rolls until piping hot, at least 165°F internally.
• Traveling: Use an insulated bag or cooler with ice packs to keep refrigerated sausage rolls cold if traveling home from the store.

Sausage rolls from major chains like Greggs are produced for safety at room temperature. But these sausage rolls should still be eaten or refrigerated within 2 hours after opening. Homemade and bakery sausage rolls have a shorter room temperature shelf life.

The flaky pastry shell on sausage rolls helps retain moisture and provides some protection for the sausage inside. But this doesn’t make sausage rolls shelf-stable for long. For best quality and food safety, leftover sausage rolls should always be promptly refrigerated and eaten within 48 hours.

Signs a Sausage Roll Has Gone Bad

Watch for these signs that indicate your sausage roll is past its prime and potentially unsafe to eat:

• Mold growth on the pastry
• Shriveled or dried out pastry
• Weird odors, sliminess, or off-color sausage
• Unpleasant sour taste instead of rich, savory flavor

Discard sausage rolls that show any odd textures, smells, or excess moisture. Don’t taste test questionable sausage rolls. When in doubt, throw it out.

Sausage rolls that are kept past 2 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer should also be discarded for best quality and safety.

Food Safety Tips for Sausage Rolls

Follow these tips for storing, handling, and serving sausage rolls safely:

• Refrigerate or freeze sausage rolls within 2 hours of baking or opening store packaging. Never leave at room temperature over 2 hours.
• When reheating sausage rolls, cook to 165°F or until steaming hot throughout.
• Don’t let sausage rolls sit in the oven or microwave more than 2 hours after reheating.
• Serve sausage rolls on clean platters, not directly on counters or tables.
• Wash hands before handling sausage rolls to prevent germ transfer.
• Discard any sausage rolls that look or smell spoiled. Don’t taste questionable food.
• Store leftovers in shallow airtight containers or resealable bags to prevent drying out.

Sausage rolls don’t require much work to make and enjoy safely. Just be diligent about following proper storage, handling, and hygiene practices. Refrigerate promptly after baking or opening. Reheat thoroughly when ready to serve. And discard any sausage rolls that seem off.

By keeping sausage rolls out of the danger zone and refrigerating within 2 hours, you can safely enjoy this savory snack without worries. Just don’t let packages or homemade sausage rolls linger too long at room temperature before eating or storing them in the fridge or freezer. With proper handling, sausage rolls will stay deliciously fresh.