How Long Does Cooked Sausage Last? – Real Food with Sarah (2024)

· Updated: by Sarah Hill · This post may contain affiliate links.· Leave a Comment

If you're meal prepping or just making extra food you're probably wondering how long your leftover pre-cooked sausage will last in the fridge. The answer is just a couple of days but follow these guidelines to air on the side of caution.

How Long Does Cooked Sausage Last? – Real Food with Sarah (1)
Jump to:
  • FDA and USDA Guidelines
  • How long does cooked sausage last in the fridge?
  • How to store cooked sausage
  • How to tell if cooked sausage is bad
  • FAQs
  • Top Tips
  • Check out these Sausage Recipes
  • 💬 Comments

FDA and USDA Guidelines

The USDA generally recommends consuming leftovers of any kind in 3-4 days on average. This will guarantee maximum freshness and is your safest bet for avoiding any potential side effects. Always check for signs of spoilage.

How long does cooked sausage last in the fridge?

According to USDA guidelines, you should use most cooked leftovers within 3-4 days if it is properly stored. However, pre-cooked sausage like hot dogs can stay good for up to 7 days when stored properly in a refrigerator that is 40 degrees F or below or up to 2 months when frozen. Food should be refrigerated at room temperature within 1-2 hours of cooking and placed in a shallow airtightcontainer.

How long does cooked sausage last?

Pre-cooked sausage can last up to 7 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer. However, always be sure to check the expiration date.

Hard and dry-cured sausages like pepperoni are shelf-stable and should be stored in a dry place before opening. After opening, dry sausages can last up to 3 weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator.

How long can cooked sausage be left out of the refrigerator?

According to the USDA to keep food out of the danger zone after cooking, hot food must be kept hot at 140 degrees F. If perishable food has been left out for more than 2 hours, throw it out to avoid harmful bacteria.

Can you refreeze cooked sausage?

According to the USDA, you can refreeze raw sausages or cooked sausages as long as they were thawed in the refrigerator and never reached above 40 degrees Fahrenheit or it was entirely cooked before freezing.

How Long Does Cooked Sausage Last? – Real Food with Sarah (2)

How to store cooked sausage

  • Storage Containers:The best way to store pre-cooked sausage is in shallow airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Bigger containers allow more for more air which can lead to the leftovers going bad even sooner and freezer burn.
  • Temperature:You should always follow the FDA and USDA's guidelines for food safety. Both recommend storing cooked food in the fridge at 40˚F or frozen in the freezer.
  • Freezing Pre-cooked Sausage:Freezing pre-cooked sausage is easy and safe and it's a good way to extend the storage period. Pre-cooked sausages are also safe to thaw in the microwave or oven, therefore, making for an easy meal.
  • How Long: Pre-cooked meats stored in the freezer stay at their best quality for up to 2 months. They can, however, be stored for up to 6 months.

How to tell if cooked sausage is bad

  • Pre-cooked spoiled sausage will be sticky and have a slimy texture.
  • You will notice a rancid odor or sour smell which comes from increased bacterial growth on the sausage.
  • You will also notice a grayish color or brown discoloration on the outer surface of the sausage.
How Long Does Cooked Sausage Last? – Real Food with Sarah (3)

FAQs

Can you microwave pre-cooked sausage?

Yes! They are already cooked so just heat them up until warm and enjoy! I don't recommend microwaving uncooked sausages.

How do you cook pre-cooked sausage?

There are several ways to cook pre-cooked sausages such as steaming, pan-frying, grilling or air frying. They take minimal time to heat and can be added to a number of meals.

Can you smoke pre-cooked sausages?

Yes, the sausages can be smoked but they should only be smoked for 30-45 minutes to warm them and add a smoky flavor. Overcooking them will cause them to dry out and lose flavor.

Is it safe to eat cold pre-cooked sausage?

The short answer is, yes! Pre-cooked sausage is safe to eat cold but it may be more appetizing warm or hot.

What would happen if I ate spoiled sausage?

Symptoms of food poisoning from spoiled food include vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach and sometimes fevers. My general rule is always: if you have to question whether something is good or not, throw it away.

How Long Does Cooked Sausage Last? – Real Food with Sarah (4)

Top Tips

  • Using different types of sausages is an easy way to add protein to almost any meal. Throw them in the oven on a sheet pan with potatoes and broccoli for an easy sheet pan meal or in a pasta bake. Check out my Italian Sausage and Vegetable Sheet Pan Dinner.
  • Use an air fryer to make Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers for a quick and easy meal.
  • Steam sausages for 5-7 minutes in a pan and then add oil or butter for a seared and crunchy casing.
  • Frozen pre-cooked sausage can be cooked straight away without thawing for a last-minute meal idea.
  • To prevent sausage casings from splitting, poke holes or cut a sliver before cooking to prevent the water contents from expanding and exploding.

Check out these Sausage Recipes

  • Air Fryer Brats
  • Simple Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta
  • Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
  • Easy No-Boil Pasta Bake

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How Long Does Cooked Sausage Last? – Real Food with Sarah (2024)

FAQs

How Long Does Cooked Sausage Last? – Real Food with Sarah? ›

According to USDA guidelines, you should use most cooked leftovers within 3-4 days if it is properly stored. However, pre-cooked sausage like hot dogs can stay good for up to 7 days when stored properly in a refrigerator that is 40 degrees F or below or up to 2 months when frozen.

How long does cooked sausage last? ›

All sausages- except dry sausage - are perishable and therefore must be kept refrigerated or frozen. Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 °F or less).

Can you eat cooked sausage that sat out all night? ›

If you reheat food that was forgotten on the counter overnight or was left out all day, will it be safe to eat? TWO HOURS is the MAXIMUM time perishable foods should be at room temperature (ONE HOUR at temperatures 90 degrees F and higher). This INCLUDES the time they're on the table during your meal.

How long is sausage good for in the fridge after the sell-by date? ›

Selecting the Best Hot Dogs
Types Of SausageRefrigerator
Fresh Sausage, uncooked1 to 2 Days
Fresh Sausage, after cooking by the consumer(Not Applicable)
Hard/Dry SausageIndefinitely in Refrigerator; 6 Weeks in Pantry
Hot Dogs and Other Cooked Sausage2 Weeks but No Longer than 1 Week After the “Sell-by” Date
3 more rows
Jul 23, 2021

How long is kielbasa good for in the fridge? ›

Do you want to eat the kielbasa within the next week? If so, place it in the refrigerator. An unopened vacuum-sealed package will stay fresh for about 2 weeks. An opened package will stay fresh for about 1 week.

Can you eat leftover cooked sausage? ›

Once cooked, sausages should be cooled, then chilled between 1-4C, where they can be kept for up to two days (but not past the use-by date). To reheat, cook until the internal temp reaches 70C again.

Can you eat sausages 3 days after use by? ›

A use-by date on food is about safety. This is the most important date to remember. Never eat food after the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok, as it could make you very ill.

Can I eat cooked sausage after 7 days? ›

According to USDA guidelines, you should use most cooked leftovers within 3-4 days if it is properly stored. However, pre-cooked sausage like hot dogs can stay good for up to 7 days when stored properly in a refrigerator that is 40 degrees F or below or up to 2 months when frozen.

How to tell if sausage is spoiled? ›

Color changes: Changes in color are often a giveaway, especially if you see a grey or greenish tinge to your sausages. If your cooked sausage turns brown, you should throw it out. Changes in texture: A slimy texture, especially with a loss of color and firmness, probably means your sausage is no longer edible.

Can I eat 5 day old leftovers? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

How to tell if sausage is bad after cooking? ›

Look Out for Slimy Texture

If a slimy coat has formed on the exterior of the sausages, it could indicate that they have gone bad. The slimy texture can persist even after cooking. Even though the bacteria that causes the sausages to go mushy is not particularly dangerous, it would be wise to dispose of them.

Is sausage still good after 2 years in the freezer? ›

Freezing keeps food safe indefinitely. Keep sausages in the freezer (0 °F or less) for one to two months for best quality.

How long is kielbasa good after use-by date? ›

The “Use By” date on the package is only good for an unopened package. Once the package is opened, you should eat the sausage within 3 days or freeze it to preserve the flavor and freshness.

How long does Hillshire Farm sausage last in the fridge? ›

Shelf Life Recommendations

For Hillshire Farm Italian sausage, the following storage recommendations apply: Refrigerated (Unopened Package): Consume within 2-3 days of purchase.

Does Hillshire Farm sausage expire? ›

After being opened, the semi-dry sausage can last for around 3 weeks in a refrigerator and within 1-2 months in a Well regulated refrigerator. Thank you for your feedback!

How long can Jimmy Dean sausage stay in the fridge? ›

When Jimmy Dean Original Pork Breakfast Sausage is stored in the refrigerator, unopened packages can last for up to 2 weeks, provided that the expiration date has not passed. Once opened, it is best to consume the fresh sausages within 3 to 5 days to ensure both safety and taste.

How long is a cooked sausage good in the fridge? ›

Cooked sausages will usually stay good for three to four days in the fridge and four months in the freezer, but the flavour will start to deteriorate the longer you leave them.

Can you eat sausages 7 days out of date? ›

Use it by the date on the pack. It is usually on perishable fresh foods like meat, chicken, sausages, etc. If the Use By date has passed, throw it away.

How long is smoked sausage good for in the fridge after opening? ›

Bacon and sausage
ProductRefrigerator (40 F)Freezer (0 F)
Sausage, raw - from pork, beef, turkey1-2 days1-2 months
Smoked breakfast links, patties7 days1-2 months
Hard sausageOpened: 3 weeks. Unopened: indefinitely1-2 months
Summer sausage labeled "keep refrigerated"Opened: 3 weeks. Unopened: 3 months1-2 months
1 more row

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