Jimmy Dean is one of the most popular brands of pre-cooked frozen sausage. Their sausage links and patties make for quick, easy, and tasty breakfasts and dinners. But sometimes you may thaw more Jimmy Dean sausage than you need and want to save the leftovers. This raises the question – can you safely refreeze Jimmy Dean sausage after thawing and cooking it?
The short answer is yes, you can refreeze cooked Jimmy Dean sausage, but there are some important guidelines to follow. Improper thawing, cooking, cooling, and refreezing can lead to decreased quality and food safety issues. In this article, we’ll provide a complete step-by-step guide to properly thawing, cooking, storing, and refreezing Jimmy Dean sausage.
Thawing Jimmy Dean Sausage
The first step is proper thawing. There are three main methods for thawing frozen sausage
- Refrigerator Thawing: Place frozen sausage in refrigerator and allow to thaw overnight or for 24 hours. This is the safest method.
- Cold Water Thawing: Place sausage in a sealed bag submerged in cold water, changing water every 30 mins. Sausage should thaw in 1-2 hours.
- Microwave Thawing: Use microwave defrost setting or 50% power in 1 min increments, checking frequently. Cook immediately after thawing.
Refrigerator thawing is ideal as it reduces bacterial growth If thawing sausage in cold water or microwave, cook it immediately after Never thaw sausage at room temperature.
Cooking Jimmy Dean Sausage Thoroughly
Always cook thawed Jimmy Dean sausage to an internal temperature of 160°F as measured by a food thermometer. This eliminates any bacteria present. Cook sausage patties on both sides until browned. For sausage links boil grill, or pan fry until browned on all sides.
Undercooked sausage can harbor harmful bacteria. Use a digital food thermometer to verify sausage reaches a safe internal temp throughout.
Cooling Cooked Sausage Properly
Prior to refreezing, cooked Jimmy Dean sausage must be cooled quickly and properly to avoid bacteria growth.
- Cut sausage into smaller pieces to allow heat to escape faster.
- Spread pieces out on a sheet pan or plate to quicken cooling.
- Place sheet pan in refrigerator. Sausage should cool to below 41°F within 2 hours.
- For faster cooling, place pan of sausage in ice bath before refrigerating.
Always cool cooked sausage completely within 2 hours before refrigerating or refreezing. Do not let it sit at room temperature.
Storing Leftover Cooked Sausage
For short term storage, leftover cooked sausage that has been quickly cooled can be refrigerated for 3-4 days. Place cooled sausage in airtight containers or resealable bags. Make sure to label the container with the date.
Use refrigerated leftover sausage within 3-4 days for best quality. Discard if held longer.
Refreezing Cooked Jimmy Dean Sausage
Once Jimmy Dean sausage has been thawed, cooked, and cooled properly, it can be refrozen for longer term storage. Follow these tips:
- Place cooled sausage pieces in airtight freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
- Label bags with contents and date to track freshness.
- Freeze sausage as soon as possible, within 2 hours of cooling.
- For best quality, consume refrozen sausage within 1-2 months.
- Do not refreeze sausage that was left at room temperature for over 2 hours.
Cooked sausage can be refrozen, but its texture may become mushier. For best results, try to freeze sausage only once.
Tips for Maintaining Quality
Refreezing cooked sausage can impact its flavor, texture, and juiciness. Here are some tips to help minimize quality changes:
- Use sausage within 2 months for optimal taste and texture.
- Refreeze sausage in small portions to avoid repeat thawing.
- Place parchment paper between sausage patties or links when freezing to prevent them sticking together.
- Choose sausage with lower sodium to help retain moisture after refreezing.
- Add reserved sausage drippings or broth when reheating to restore some juiciness.
While refreezing will degrade the quality somewhat, following these tips will help keep your Jimmy Dean sausage tasting great.
The Dangers of Improper Thawing and Refreezing
It’s important to understand the food safety risks of improperly thawing, cooling, and refreezing cooked sausage. Here are some of the dangers:
- Thawing sausage at room temperature allows bacteria like salmonella to grow rapidly. Always thaw in the refrigerator.
- Undercooked sausage can contain harmful pathogens. Cook to 160°F internal temperature.
- Letting cooked sausage cool slowly at room temp creates a safety hazard. Quick cooling is vital.
- Refreezing sausage left above 41°F for over 2 hours lets bacteria flourish when frozen.
- Consuming refrozen sausage that wasn’t handled properly can lead to foodborne illness.
By thoroughly cooking sausage to a safe internal temp, quickly cooling it, and properly refreezing, you can reduce the risks and safely enjoy Jimmy Dean sausage again later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Refreezing Sausage
Here are answers to some common questions about refreezing cooked sausage:
How many times can you refreeze sausage?
Sausage should only be refrozen once for food safety and quality reasons. Refreezing more times allows bacteria to grow and ruins the texture.
Can you refreeze raw sausage after thawing?
Raw sausage that has been thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen safely if used within 1-2 days. Cook raw sausage immediately if thawed in cold water or microwave.
Is it safe to refreeze sausage without cooking it first?
Never refreeze raw sausage after thawing without cooking it first. This allows any bacteria present to multiply to dangerous levels when frozen again.
Can you refreeze Italian sausage?
Yes, cooked Italian sausage can be safely refrozen using the proper thawing, cooking, cooling, and refreezing guidelines provided.
How long does cooked sausage last in the freezer?
Properly stored cooked sausage will maintain best quality for 1-2 months in the freezer but can last up to 4 months frozen before drying out.
Can you refreeze bratwurst and hot dogs?
Bratwurst and hot dogs can be refrozen using the same recommendations for thawing, cooking to 160°F, rapid cooling, and refreezing cooked sausage.
The Bottom Line
Jimmy Dean makes high quality frozen sausage that provides convenience for quick meals. If you end up with leftovers, you can safely refreeze cooked Jimmy Dean sausage while maintaining quality by following the proper guidelines:
- Thaw using refrigeration, cold water, or the microwave then cook immediately.
- Cook sausage thoroughly to an internal temp of 160°F.
- Rapidly cool the cooked sausage within 2 hours.
- Store leftovers for 3-4 days refrigerated.
- Refreeze cooled sausage in airtight bags within 2 hours, labeling with the date.
- Use refrozen sausage within 1-2 months for best quality.
By understanding the complete process – from thawing to cooking to cooling and refreezing – you can enjoy the convenience of Jimmy Dean sausage while minimizing food safety risks and preserving delicious taste and texture.