How Long is Turkey Sausage Good in the Fridge?

Sausages are delicious and a rich source of protein the whole family can enjoy. They’re perfect for creating a hearty meal when you don’t have much time to prepare, and you can enjoy them for breakfast, in soups or in a simple hot dog bun. The possibilities are endless, which is why it should come as no surprise that sausage sales are on the rise.

You can keep your family healthy by choosing high-quality sausages and storing them correctly until it’s time to cook. You’ll always want to ensure your sausages are fresh before serving them, so you need to know their shelf life. That way, no matter who you’re cooking for, you can always ensure you’re serving the healthiest and most delicious sausages possible — sausages the way they should be. Here are some general guidelines regarding the shelf life of sausages.

Turkey sausage is a popular alternative to traditional pork sausage It has a milder flavor that many find more palatable But like any raw meat, proper storage is crucial for food safety. So how long is turkey sausage good for in the fridge? Here’s a complete guide to maximize freshness and avoid spoilage.

Overview of Turkey Sausage Shelf Life

In general, raw turkey sausage will last 1-2 days in the fridge, while cooked links can last 3-4 days. For long term storage, freeze sausage for 1-2 months. Always check for signs of spoilage before eating, like an off-smell or slimy texture. Reheat fully cooked sausage to 165°F.

Factors like ingredients, preparation method, and packaging will impact exactly how long turkey sausage stays fresh Here are some common varieties and their fridge life

Fresh (raw) turkey sausage – 1-2 days
Fully cooked turkey sausage – 3-4 days
Pre-cooked turkey sausage patties – 3-4 days
Frozen raw turkey sausage – 1-2 months
Frozen pre-cooked turkey sausage – 1-2 months

Now let’s look in more detail at maximizing freshness with proper storage methods.

How to Store Raw Turkey Sausage in the Fridge

Raw turkey sausage has a shorter shelf life than cooked, so proper refrigeration is key. Here are some tips:

Keep sausage in original packaging or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Air exposure causes faster spoilage.
Place sausage on a plate or tray to catch any drips and prevent cross-contamination.
Store sausage on a lower shelf away from ready-to-eat foods like produce. Raw meat juices could spread bacteria.
Use ground turkey sausage within 1-2 days. Sausage stuffed in casings will last a little longer – 2-3 days.
Don’t overfill the fridge. Cool air circulation helps maintain safe temperatures.
Check temperature with a fridge thermometer. It should be at 40°F or below.
Rinse sausage just before cooking to prevent premature spoilage from excess moisture.

Following these guidelines will keep raw turkey sausage safe for 1-2 days. But always rely on smell and visual cues to determine if it’s gone bad.

How to Tell if Raw Turkey Sausage is Bad

Trust your senses to detect spoiled sausage. Signs include:

Slimy texture – Turkey sausage should feel firm to the touch. Slime indicates bacteria growth.
Discoloration – Grey, green or brown hues mean don’t eat! Fresh sausage is pink or reddish-brown.
Off smell – Rancid, sour or ammonia-like odors signal spoilage. Toss it!
Mold – Fuzzy spots mean the sausage should be discarded immediately.

When in doubt, throw it out! Consuming spoiled turkey sausage can cause food poisoning.

Storing Cooked Turkey Sausage in the Fridge

Properly stored, cooked turkey sausage will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated. Here are some storage tips:

Allow cooked sausage to cool completely before refrigerating. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, foil or store in an airtight container.
For easier use, portion cooked sausage links into meal-size servings.
Keep cooked sausage towards the front of the refrigerator where temperatures are cooler.
Prepared turkey sausage that comes pre-cooked, like links or patties, also lasts 3-4 days.
Check leftovers daily and rely on smell and appearance. Discard if you notice any spoilage.

Reheat cooked sausage thoroughly to 165°F. The high temperature kills any bacteria that may cause foodborne illness.

Freezing Turkey Sausage for Long Term Storage

Freezing extends the shelf life of turkey sausage up to 1-2 months. Here are some freezing tips:

Portion raw sausage in recipe-ready amounts in freezer bags or airtight containers. Squeeze out excess air.
Pre-shape sausage meat into patties or links before freezing for quicker cooking. Separate with parchment paper.
Cooked sausage can also be frozen. Cool completely before packaging.
Label bags with contents and date. Use oldest frozen items first.
Thaw sausage slowly in the fridge overnight to prevent uneven temperatures that breed bacteria.
Cook thawed raw sausage within 1-2 days. Use cooked sausage within 3-4 days.
Do not refreeze thawed turkey sausage. This compromises quality and food safety.

With proper freezing techniques, turkey sausage will retain optimum freshness for 1-2 months frozen.

Questions About Turkey Sausage Shelf Life

Freezing extends the shelf life of turkey sausage up to 1-2 months. Here are some freezing tips:

How can you tell if frozen turkey sausage is still good?

Inspect sausage carefully once thawed. There should be no off odors, slimy texture or discoloration. Cooked sausage may have lighter or darker spots but should not smell bad. If appearance is poor or it smells unpleasant, it’s best to discard.

Can you cook turkey sausage while it’s still frozen?

Absolutely! Just allow extra cooking time for the sausage to thaw during cooking. Fully cook frozen links, patties or crumbles until no pink remains and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Is it safe to eat refrigerator turkey sausage after the “sell by” date?

The “sell by” date is meant for grocery stores to properly rotate stock. At home, rely on a sight and smell check to determine if refrigerated turkey sausage is still fresh. Sausage that still looks and smells normal within 1-2 days past the date is likely fine.

How do you know when cooked turkey sausage has gone bad?

Signs that cooked sausage has spoiled include mold, sliminess, an off smell and discoloration. Greyish or greenish tinting is especially concerning. Cooked sausage more than 4 days old should be discarded, even if it shows no signs of spoilage yet.

Can you refreeze thawed turkey sausage?

It’s not recommended. Refreezing and thawing turkey sausage more than once allows harmful bacteria to multiply to dangerous levels. Cook thawed sausage within 1-2 days and discard if unused. For best quality, just thaw what you plan to use immediately.

Is it safe to eat discolored turkey sausage?

No, any discoloration means don’t eat it! Grey, brown or green hues indicate spoilage. Even if the smell seems normal, discolored sausage may contain harmful bacteria and should be thrown out.

Keep Turkey Sausage Fresher Longer

A few additional tips will help turkey sausage stay fresher longer:

Purchase sausage with latest possible sell-by dates and check freshness seals are intact.
Immediately place sausage in the refrigerator when returning from the grocery store.
Keep refrigerator temperature between 35-40°F. Use a thermometer to monitor.
Avoid cross contamination by keeping raw sausage sealed and separated from ready-to-eat items.
Thaw frozen sausage overnight in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
Cook sausage thoroughly until well done, to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Consume leftovers within 3-4 days and don’t forget to reheat to 165°F before eating.

Following safe handling and storage methods will maximize turkey sausage shelf life. But when in doubt, remember the old adage – “When in doubt, throw it out!” Don’t risk getting sick from spoiled sausage.

Enjoy the Many Benefits of Turkey Sausage

With proper storage and handling, you can safely reap the many benefits of tasty turkey sausage:

Turkey sausage is lower in fat than pork varieties, but still juicy and flavorful.
Use in your favorite recipes like pizza, pasta, soups, casseroles, breakfast sandwiches and more.
Mix up flavors like spicy chipotle, sweet apple, savory spinach, and sun-dried tomato.
Cook turkey sausage crumbles, patties or links on the stovetop, oven or grill.
Kids love fun shapes like stars, hearts or alphabet letters.
Try healthy turkey-veggie blends with spinach, peppers, mushrooms and more.
Turkey sausage makes an excellent substitute for recipes that call for ground beef.

So go ahead and enjoy delicious turkey sausage during its prime freshness window. Following proper refrigeration and freezing techniques will keep it safe and ready to sizzle.

how long is turkey sausage good in the fridge

How to Store Sausages Properly

You can prolong the life of your sausages with correct storage. Taking extra time to focus on storage will keep your sausages safe to eat and maintain that fresh, spicy taste we all love. Keep the following tips and tricks in mind:

Keep your hands clean and dry: Wash your hands and dry them thoroughly before you handle sausages. It prevents the spread of potentially harmful bacteria. When working with raw meat, always keep it away from other food and wash all surfaces and utensils when finished.
Keep them in the coldest part of the fridge or freezer: Fridge and freezer temperatures vary. Remember, the ideal temperature to store meat in the refrigerator is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Stick to the two-day rule: Always use fresh sausage within two days of buying it. If you plan on using it more than two days from purchase, freeze it.
Use the correct containers: Whether you are refrigerating or freezing sausages, ensure you use an appropriate container, like an airtight tub or a wrapping suitable for temperatures below zero
Err on the side of caution: If you’re unsure whether your sausages are safe to eat, throw them away.

Hard or Dry Sausage

When unopened, you can indefinitely store sausages like salami and pepperoni in the fridge. You can keep them for six weeks at room temperature, such as in your pantry. Once opened, they will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?

FAQ

Does turkey sausage go bad in the fridge?

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).

How long is packaged sausage good for in the fridge?

Bacon and sausage

Product	Refrigerator (40 F)	Freezer (0 F)
Bacon	7 days	1 month
Sausage, raw – from pork, beef, turkey	1-2 days	1-2 months
Smoked breakfast links, patties	7 days	1-2 months
Hard sausage	Opened: 3 weeks. Unopened: indefinitely	1-2 months

How to tell if sausage has gone bad?

Strong or unpleasant odor: A strong or unsavory smell is the first sign your sausage has gone bad. If your sausage has a fish-like, acidic or sour smell, you’ll likely want to throw it away. Cooked sausage often has a rotten smell when it’s gone bad, so even if you bought it precooked, toss it if you notice that smell.

How long does Butterball turkey sausage last in the fridge?

Raw Sausage lasts 3-5 days refrigerated.