Jimmy Dean Original Pork Breakfast Sausage is a popular choice for a quick, protein-rich morning meal. Knowing the shelf life of this product is crucial for both safety and quality. People often want to know how long they can keep breakfast sausage in the freezer or fridge before it goes bad.
If you keep Jimmy Dean Original Pork Breakfast Sausage in the fridge, unopened packages can last for up to two weeks, as long as the expiration date hasn’t passed. When fresh sausages are opened, they should be eaten within 3 to 5 days to keep them safe and fresh. When stored in the freezer, Jimmy Dean Sausage stays fresh for longer. An uncooked product can stay fresh for up to two months. Fully cooked sausage products can have a significantly longer freezer shelf life.
From sizzling breakfast links to fully cooked sausage patties, Jimmy Dean makes incredibly convenient and tasty sausage products. Their quality sausage is a staple in many households But with the variety of sausage they offer, some may wonder – how long can you freeze Jimmy Dean sausage to maintain optimal freshness and flavor?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide freezer storage times for different types of Jimmy Dean sausage and best practices for freezing, thawing and cooking it safely. Follow these tips to keep Jimmy Dean sausage tasting great for months.
Overview of Jimmy Dean’s Sausage Products
Jimmy Dean offers delicious pork, turkey, chicken and specialty sausage options:
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Breakfast Links – Fully cooked smoked pork or turkey links,Original or Reduced Fat
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Fresh Roll Sausage – Raw ground pork sausage for patties or crumbles
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Fully Cooked Patties – Pre-formed pork, turkey, chicken or specialty sausage patties
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Specialty Sausage – Smoked bratwursts, italian style, maple flavored and more
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Pre-Sliced Sausage – Deluxe ham, beef and cheese, chicken apple sausage slices
With so many varieties, freezing helps extend the versatility and convenience of Jimmy Dean sausage.
Freezer Storage Times for Jimmy Dean Sausage
The maximum freezer times for Jimmy Dean sausage depends on the type:
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Raw sausage – 1 to 2 months for optimal quality
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Fully cooked links/patties – 2 years frozen
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Pre-sliced deli sausage – Up to 3 years frozen
Seal properly in airtight packaging and freeze at 0°F or below. Date packages and use oldest sausage first.
Tips for Freezing Jimmy Dean Sausage
Follow these guidelines to maximize Jimmy Dean sausage shelf life:
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Freeze raw sausage within 1-2 days of purchasing for best flavor.
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Separate raw and cooked sausage to prevent cross-contamination.
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Portion into meal sizes so you thaw only what’s needed.
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Use freezer bags or containers, remove air, leave headspace.
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Label with contents and freeze-by date.
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Maintain constant 0°F freezer temperature.
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Avoid overcrowding freezer to allow air circulation.
Properly freezing in meal-size portions will lock in freshness and flavor.
Thawing Jimmy Dean Sausage Safely
Always thaw frozen sausage properly to prevent foodborne illness:
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Refrigerator – Slowest but safest method, about 24-48 hours.
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Cold Water – Submerge sealed sausage, change water every 30 mins.
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Microwave – Defrost setting, check often. Cook immediately after thawing.
Raw sausage thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen safely. Sausage thawed by other methods should be cooked before refreezing.
Cooking Tips for Frozen Jimmy Dean Sausage
Cooking frozen sausage thoroughly while maintaining moisture and texture takes some care:
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Preheat oven or pan before cooking.
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Increase cook times about 50% for frozen sausage.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 160°F.
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Avoid overcooking which causes dryness.
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For patties or links, use medium heat to pan fry until browned.
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For casseroles or pizza, thaw sausage first and drain fat.
With the right techniques, frozen Jimmy Dean sausage cooks up deliciously!
Storing Thawed Jimmy Dean Sausage
Follow these guidelines for storing thawed raw sausage:
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Raw sausage thawed in fridge lasts 1-2 days.
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Raw sausage thawed by cold water should be cooked immediately.
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Cooked sausage lasts 3-4 days refrigerated after thawing.
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Freeze any leftover cooked sausage within 2-3 months for best quality.
Proper storage of thawed sausage maintains safety and quality.
Frozen Sausage Safety and Quality Q&A
Get answers to common questions about handling frozen Jimmy Dean sausage:
How do you know if frozen sausage has spoiled?
Check for off odors, odd textures, excessive ice crystals or freezer burn. Sausage kept at 0°F usually stays safe for recommended times.
Is it safe to cook sausage still frozen in the center?
Yes, cooking from frozen is safe though it may take extra time. Check internal temp and increase cook times as needed.
Can you refreeze sausage after thawing?
Raw sausage shouldn’t be refrozen after thawing. Cooked sausage can be refrozen but quality may decline slightly.
How long after thawing is cooked sausage still good?
Eat thawed cooked sausage within 3-4 days. Discard if left over 7 days refrigerated. Reheat fully to 165°F before consuming.
Is it OK to freeze sausage after cooking?
Yes, fully cooked sausage can be frozen. Cool completely, store in airtight containers, and use within 2-3 months for best flavor.
Keep Enjoying Jimmy Dean’s Sausage
Follow this guide to maximize the shelf life of frozen Jimmy Dean sausage. Properly frozen and thawed, their sausage stays delicious and convenient for meals anytime!
Maximizing Sausage Flavor and Quality
When making Jimmy Dean Original Pork Breakfast Sausage, it’s important to pay attention to the right way to cook it so that the unique flavors stay intact and the sausage lasts as long as possible without losing its quality.
For the best taste and quality, Jimmy Dean Sausages should be cooked to 160°F, making sure the middle is no longer pink. The flavors are best released through proper cooking:
- Stove: Brown sausage patties evenly by turning them over a lot of times over medium heat.
- Spread the sausages out evenly on a baking sheet and bake in a hot oven until they reach the right internal temperature.
- Microwave: Sausages can be heated in the microwave on a plate that is safe for microwaves, but this is not recommended for the best flavor.
For the best flavor, the sausage’s spices and seasoning should be left to brown a bit. This doesn’t happen when sausages are microwaved, though.
The shelf life of Jimmy Dean Original Pork Sausage depends on storage conditions:
- If you put sausages in the freezer, keep them at 0°F or lower to keep them fresh for up to two months.
- Refrigerator: Unopened fresh sausage can last up to 2 weeks. Once opened, it’s best consumed within 3-5 days.
Check the date on the package and notice if the color, smell, or texture of the sausage has changed. This will let you know when it’s no longer safe to eat. There are certain seasonings and ingredients in Jimmy Dean sausages that give them their unique flavor. Following these rules will help keep their quality.
Nutritional Aspects of Jimmy Dean Sausage
There is a lot of protein in Jimmy Dean Original Pork Sausage Patties—8 grams per two-patty serving (68g). This amount of protein plays an essential role in muscle repair and overall bodily function. But they also have a lot of fat, which is something to think about if you are watching how much fat you eat.
Nutritional Breakdown per 2 Patties (68g):
- Total Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: Not specified in the search results
- Cholesterol: Not specified in the search results
- Sodium: Not specified in the search results
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Sugars: Not included in the search results
- Protein: 8g
A serving of two patties has a lot of calories, mostly fat calories that make up 287 percent of the total. There are almost no carbs and almost no sugar in these patties, which makes them a possible choice for people on low-carbohydrate diets.
Its important to consider the saturated fat and sodium content in these products, which can impact cardiovascular health. However, specific values for sodium and saturated fat are not provided from the search results. Consumers interested in these details should review the products nutritional labeling for more precise information.
The search results don’t say anything about monosodium glutamate, transfat, or other additives, so it’s not possible to say for sure if they are present or not.
To get the right amount of nutrients, these patties should be eaten with fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This will help balance out the high fat content and improve your health as a whole.
When figuring out how long Jimmy Dean Original Pork Breakfast Sausage will last, things like the type of breakfast sausage and how important it is to read food labels are very important.
Freeze a roll of breakfast sausage yet take out a piece without defrosting the whole roll
FAQ
Is sausage still good after 2 years in the freezer?
How long is Jimmy Dean sausage good for after freezing?
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Product
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Refrigerator (40 F)
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Freezer (0 F)
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Bacon
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7 days
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1 month
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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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Can you eat sausages that have been frozen for 12 months?
Can you freeze sausage meat for a year?