Sausage is one of the most versatile meats out there - from breakfast spreads to charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and even just consumed as is, there are so many ways to enjoy this meaty treat!
But, all good things come to an end, and even if kept in the perfect storage conditions, your sausages will eventually expire. So how long do smoked sausages last in the fridge? How long are smoked sausages good for if you freeze them?
There are quite a few moving pieces influencing the shelf life of your smoked sausages, which is why we’re here to help you get a better understanding of what you can expect.
In the fridge, smoked sausages can last up to two weeks if unopened and about one week once opened. If frozen, they can maintain their best quality for up to two months, though they remain safe to eat beyond that.
Proper storage is key to maximizing their shelf life and ensuring they remain tasty and safe to eat. We’ll share some storage tips along with some advice on what to look for to ensure you don’t consume spoiled sausage.
If you want to stock up on the tastiest, freshest smoked sausages online, look no further than Mahogany Smoked Meats. We bring more than 100 years of experience in smoking meats and have all the varieties you could be interested in, delivered right to your door ready to enjoy!
How Long Do Smoked Sausages Last in the Fridge?
So, how long do smoked sausages last in the fridge? Let’s provide a bit more context to help you get a better understanding of what you can expect.
If your smoked sausages are still sealed in their original packaging, they can last in the fridge for up to two weeks. The smoking process, which includes curing and drying, helps preserve the sausages longer than fresh meats. However, you should always check the expiration date on the package for the best guidance.
Once you open them, though, they should be consumed within a week. Exposure to air increases the risk of bacterial growth, even in smoked products. To maximize their shelf life, store them in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Proper refrigeration is essential as well, which adds some variance to the shelf life. Store smoked sausages in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back of the lower shelves where the temperature is more stable and consistent. Always keep your fridge at or below 40°F (4°C) to ensure food safety.
How Long Are Smoked Sausages Good For in the Freezer?
Maybe you’re stocking up and want to freeze some of your sausages to prepare at a later date. If so, how long are smoked sausages good for in the freezer?
When properly stored, these frozen sausages can last up to 2 months or sometimes longer. However, after this point in time the quality will start to drop off - mainly in terms of taste and texture. They may still be safe to eat, albeit less enjoyable.
You can place unopened packages in the freezer, but for better storage and longevity, we recommend overwrapping the original packaging with aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or placing it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
If you’ve already opened the package, wrap each sausage individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
When the time comes to pull them out and prepare them, adhere to the proper thawing guidelines. We suggest putting them in the fridge overnight for a slower thaw, which will bring out the best flavor and texture.
If you’re in a hurry, you can also use the defrost setting on your microwave, but be sure to cook the sausages immediately after thawing to ensure food safety. Speaking of food safety, let’s offer some tips on how to store your sausages for the best results.
Tips on Safe Storage for Smoked Sausages
If you want to extend the smoke sausage shelf life as much as possible, proper storage can make a dramatic difference. Here are some tips to get a longer window to enjoy your sausage:
- Airtight Containers: You can also use heavy-duty freezer bags, but the goal is to prevent air exposure, which can lead to spoilage and freezer burn.
- Label and Date: This practice helps you keep track of how long the sausages have been stored and ensures you use the oldest products first.
- Proper Wrapping: Again, tight wrapping will help prevent oxygen from degrading your sausage. For freezer storage, double-wrap the sausages to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality.
- Temperature Control: Keep your refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) and your freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or lower. This prevents bacterial growth and maintains the sausages' quality.
- Avoid Cross-Contamination: Store smoked sausages on a plate or in a container to avoid any juices dripping onto other foods, which can cause cross-contamination. This is especially important if the sausages have been opened.
Follow these tips and you’ll be able to extend the longevity of your sausages as much as possible. Still, there is no avoiding the eventual spoilage - which is why you need to be aware of the signs your sausages are past their prime.
Signs Your Smoked Sausages May Be Past Their Prime
The last thing you want is to make the mistake of eating spoiled sausages - food poisoning can have you down and out for a couple days, feeling like you’re dying the entire time.
Fortunately, sausage does a pretty good job of telling you when it’s time to part ways with it. Here are some of the telltale signs you should be alert for before eating:
- Visual Changes: Fresh smoked sausages should have a consistent, reddish-brown hue. If you notice any green, gray, or black spots, this indicates mold or bacterial growth, and the sausages should be discarded immediately.
- Texture Alterations: A slimy or sticky texture is a sign of bacterial growth and means the sausages are no longer safe to eat. Fresh smoked sausages should feel firm and dry to the touch.
- Odor Development: A sour or off-putting smell is a clear sign that your smoked sausages have gone bad. Fresh smoked sausages should have a pleasant, smoky aroma. If you detect any unusual or foul odors, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard the sausages.
Any one of these indicators is your sign to dispose of the sausage. But, what if you’re feeling dangerous and want to take a chance anyway? There’s a good chance you’ll pay for it in the form of food poisoning.
That means you could experience symptoms like nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain/cramps, and fever. The dehydration associated with food poisoning can spiral into other issues, too.
It’s simply not worth the risk - because if you’re REALLY craving smoked sausages, you can get fresh varieties shipped to your door ASAP from Mahogany Smoked Meats!
Stock Up on Delicious, Pre-Smoked Sausages to Enjoy at Your Leisure!
You can always have delicious smoked sausages on hand thanks to Mahogany Smoked Meats. From breakfast sausage to kielbasa, knackwurst, ring bologna, and more, we have your favorite styles slow-smoked to perfection and ready to enjoy - simply warm them up!
Our brand is passionate about producing the finest smoked meats in the USA. It all started in 1922 in a small smokehouse in Bishop, CA. We’ve grown beyond our wildest dreams over the past 100 years and counting, but we still do things the old fashioned way - because if it ain’t broke, you don’t need to fix it!
That means we still slow-smoke our meats in a deep pit using fallen mahogany logs. It takes time, especially because we only work in small batches - but the end result is well worth the wait!
As the only smokehouse in the nation to use mahogany, we’re able to produce some of the most unique, flavorful meat treats you can get your hands on. That’s not just the case with our sausage but everything we sell:
- Smoked pork chops for sale
- Bone in ham for sale
- Ham steaks for sale
- Smoked turkey for sale
- Smoked bacon for sale
- Smoked boneless ham for sale
- Canadian bacon for sale
Whether you buy beef jerky online for convenient snacks on-the-go or a full ham for Thanksgiving dinner, you can trust that you’re getting world-class quality backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
So what are you waiting for? Taste the difference yourself and order your smoked sausages and everything else you want to try today! You won’t regret it.
Closing Thoughts on the Smoked Sausage Shelf Life
So, how long do smoked sausages last in the fridge? Similarly, how long are smoked sausages good for in the freezer? In summary, you can generally expect to get 1-2 weeks of shelf life in the fridge and up to a few months in the freezer.
Proper storage practices can make a difference in how far out you can push that shelf life, but always be vigilant for the signs of spoilage to prevent consuming spoiled sausage. If you’re ever uncertain, err on the side of caution and pick up some fresh sausages from us!
We have similar resources on the shelf life for other meats like does beef jerky go bad and how long is smoked turkey good for. Or, you can learn how to cook already smoked pork chops, how to cook a boneless smoked ham, how to cook smoked ham steaks, how to reheat a smoked turkey, or how to cook a bone in smoked ham in our blog.
Whether you buy premium jerky or smoked sausages, you can expect the same commitment to quality and customer service. We’re excited to show you the difference a century of experience can make in smoking meats to perfection, so order meaty treats at Mahogany Smoked Meats today!
