How Long Can You Keep Frozen Pork Sausage?

Pork sausage is a breakfast staple in many households. The savory meat patties or links pack a big flavor punch. While fresh pork sausage must be cooked within 1-2 days, the frozen variety can last significantly longer in the freezer. But exactly how long does frozen pork sausage last?

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the shelf life and safety of frozen pork sausage. We’ll explore how long different types of frozen sausage keep, proper storage methods, signs of spoilage, and safe defrosting and cooking tips. Let’s dive in!

What is Pork Sausage?

Pork sausage is made from fresh ground pork and pork fat mixed with salt, spices, and other seasonings. The meat is ground rather than chopped to incorporate the fat evenly throughout. Common seasonings include sage, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and maple syrup.

There are two main forms

• Patties – Formed into circular, oval or square shapes. Often seen as a breakfast meat.
• Links – Stuffed into a lamb or sheep casing to form individual links. Popular in soups and casseroles.

Sausage can be purchased raw or already cooked The shelf life depends on these factors

How Long Does Frozen Pork Sausage Last?

Frozen pork sausage can keep significantly longer than fresh sausage. Here are the general guidelines:

• Raw pork sausage links/patties: 4-6 months
• Pre-cooked pork sausage links: 3-4 months
• Homemade sausage: 2-3 months

The freezer time applies to sausages kept continuously frozen at 0°F

Frozen storage gives you plenty of time to enjoy pork sausage well past its fresh shelf life. But for true long term storage, vacuum sealing and freezing is best.

Does Freezing Affect Taste and Texture?

Freezing pork sausage does affect the taste and texture somewhat. Here are the changes you may notice after freezing:

• Drier texture – The ice crystals damage the cell structure
• Less juicy – Some moisture is lost during freezing
• Milder flavor – Spices and seasonings muted

While still edible, the sausage won’t be quite as succulent and flavorful after long term freezing. The good news is recooking helps improve both texture and taste.

How to Freeze Pork Sausage

Follow these steps for safely freezing pork sausage:

• Wrap tightly in saran wrap or freezer paper to prevent freezer burn. Remove as much air as possible.

• Place wrapped pork sausage in freezer bags or airtight containers. This protects against oxidation and dehydration.

• Label bags with contents and freeze-by date. Sharpie markers work well.

• Freeze immediately after purchasing for maximum freshness. Don’t store in fridge first.

• Spread out in single layer in freezer until solidly frozen, then stack.

With multiple layers of protection, your frozen pork sausage will last for months without deterioration.

Safe Defrosting and Cooking

Safely handle frozen pork sausage using these methods:

• Defrost in fridge overnight before cooking for food safety. Don’t thaw on counter.

• Cook from frozen – no need to defrost beforehand. Just increase cooking time slightly.

• Microwave – Use the “defrost” setting then cook immediately. Don’t let sausage sit after microwaving.

• Defrost in cold water if in a hurry. Place in airtight bag and submerge in cold water. Cook immediately after thawing.

• Cook to safe internal temperature – at least 160°F for ground pork sausage patties or links. Use a meat thermometer.

• Boil used marinade or gravy before serving to destroy bacteria. Don’t consume raw.

Following safe freezing, thawing and cooking methods reduces the risk of food poisoning.

How To Store Frozen Pork Sausage

Storing frozen sausage properly preserves quality and prevents freezer burn:

• 0°F freezer – Colder is better for long term storage. Don’t use self-defrosting freezer.

• Air-tight packaging – Excludes air and moisture to avoid ice crystals.

• Rotate stock – Use oldest sausage first following First In, First Out method.

• Store away from oven/fridge vents – Direct airflow causes freezer burn.

• Avoid overcrowding freezer – Cramped conditions degrade texture.

• Store for recommended time – Discard if freezer life exceeds guidelines.

With ideal conditions, frozen pork sausage stays fresh and ready for meal prep when needed.

Signs of Spoiled Frozen Sausage

Check frozen sausage for these signs of spoilage before cooking:

• Unpleasant odors – Sour, ammonia or cheddar-like smells

• Mold growth – Hairy, fuzzy or discolored patches

• Poor texture – Very mushy or tough when still partly frozen

• Weird colors – Greenish, grayish or brownish discoloration

• Freezer burn – Dry, flaky texture with icy sections

• Ice crystals – Large noticeable crystals rather than smooth ice layer

• Spongy texture – Result of trapped moisture from improper freezing

Sausage exhibiting any of these qualities should be discarded rather than risking consumption.

Can You Refreeze Thawed Sausage?

Previously frozen pork sausage that has been defrosted in the fridge can be safely refrozen without quality loss. Follow these steps:

• Defrost overnight in fridge until completely thawed

• Cook thawed sausage if not refreezing immediately

• To refreeze, rewrap tightly in saran wrap and/or freezer bags

• Freeze for up to 1 month past original freeze-by date

• Do not refreeze sausage left at room temp more than 2 hours

With proper precautions, refreezing previously frozen pork sausage poses minimal safety risk.

Other Frozen Sausage Safety Tips

Follow these additional guidelines for safe handling:

• Never thaw sausage on the counter or in hot water

• Cook fully to 160°F internal temperature even if pre-cooked

• Marinate only after fully thawing if marinating before cooking

• Don’t use sausage past the recommended freezer times

• Handle frozen sausage carefully to avoid breaking patties or links

Following food safety best practices reduces your risk of foodborne illnesses when cooking with frozen pork sausage.

The Bottom Line

Frozen pork sausage keeps for 4-6 months in a continuously cold freezer at 0°F. For best quality and food safety, store sausage in air-tight packaging and defrost gradually in the refrigerator before cooking thoroughly to 160°F internal temperature.

Look out for signs of freezer burn or spoilage before consuming previously frozen sausage. With proper handling, freezing extends the shelf life of pork sausage significantly compared to fresh.

So go ahead and stock up when sausage is on sale. Just be diligent with the storage conditions and safety protocols, and you’ll have delicious cooked sausage ready at a moment’s notice for months to come!