Can You Freeze 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. Here’s everything you need to know about freezing this 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 shelf life of about 2-3 weeks when stored properly in the refrigerator. 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 for freezing:

• Leave sausage in its original packaging or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags. This prevents freezer burn.

• Portion the sausage into servings sizes if desired. This makes for easy thawing.

• Lay packages flat in a single layer to freeze quickly. Avoid stacking packages.

• Place summer sausage packages in freezer bags or airtight containers. This protects from oxidation and freezer burn.

• Remove as much air as possible and seal bags/containers tightly.

• Label the packages with contents and freeze-by date. Beef summer sausage will last 9-12 months in the freezer.

• For best quality, freeze summer sausage within 1-2 weeks of opening the package.

• Freeze beef summer sausage at 0°F or colder. Consistent freezing temperatures preserve texture and flavor.

Thawing Frozen Hickory Farms Beef Summer Sausage

Thawing beef summer sausage properly ensures it retains its signature flavor and texture. Here are some thawing tips:

• For best results, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This helps maintain quality.

• You can also thaw sealed packages in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.

• Microwave thawing is okay, but may affect texture. Thaw at 50% power and stir occasionally.

• Cook frozen summer 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 beef summer sausage. This 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 for enjoying Hickory Farms frozen or thawed beef summer sausage:

• Slice thin and eat straight from the freezer. The chilled slices are sturdy enough.

• Fry frozen sausage slices in a skillet for quick appetizers or snacks.

• Chop fully thawed sausage and add to soups, casseroles, eggs, pizza, pasta, etc.

• Wrap sausage 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 sausage slices on nachos, flatbreads, or pizza. It crisps up nicely.

• Puree fully defrosted sausage in a food processor and use as a sandwich spread.

The Bottom Line

Hickory Farms’ beloved beef summer sausages can absolutely be frozen for extended freshness and shelf life. With proper freezing methods, storage, and thawing, you can keep these sausages for up to a year while maintaining their signature smoky flavor, spice, and snappy texture. Freezing allows you to always have Hickory Farms’ sausage on hand for easy meals, entertaining, or gifting. So go ahead and stock up on these favorite sausages knowing they freeze extremely well.