Cooked sausages make a perfect meal, but what if you can’t finish your dish at once? How long can cooked sausage sit out?
I will explain the sausage’s lifespan in this post. You can also learn some storage methods to extend it. Let’s read on to discover!
How Long Can Cooked Sausage Sit Out?
According to USDA, when left at room temperature, cooked sausages can remain safe to eat for about 2 hours.
If you store them in the refrigerator, they will still be edible after two to three days. Temperatures from 40°F to 140°F are the danger zone.
Bacteria can proliferate quickly during this interval, making the food hazardous.
At room temperature
Room temperature is the temperature of 68 to 77°F, which is in the danger zone.
The cooked sausages can only stay at room temperature in a short period. After that, it will start to lose both its texture and flavor.
You won’t consume the cooked sausages again if you leave them outside for a day because the bacteria will begin to multiply and ruin the whole sausages.
In the fridge
Cooked sausages require a cool temperature to remain fresh. Hence, they can only retain their freshness when stored in your fridge.
Lower than 40°F is the ideal temperature for this kind of food. If you intend to store the cooked sausages for a long time, you may freeze them.
What Happens If Cooked Sausage Sit Out For Too Long?
Even when you keep cooked sausages in your fridge, they will spoil someday.
Here are signs of rotting to check before consuming. Please note all to avoid the consequences of eating bad food.
Signs of spoiling
Use your senses to determine if the sausages have spoiled. If you notice anything unusual, smell and look at the sausages carefully.
- Smell: The odor that sausages emit will be your first clue to spoiled food.
Please note that the meat shouldn’t smell like anything other than the herbs they include.
- Appearance: If your sausages turn green or form mold, throw them away because they are not edible.
Consequences of eating spoiled sausage
The results of eating spoiled sausages will differ depending on the person who ingested them.
Some people have better stomachs than others; the consequences will be less.
The elderly and children are more sensitive to germs and can get seriously ill, just like with all other food-borne diseases.
The symptoms may also worsen if the person who eats the rotten sausage has any immunological disorders.
Otherwise, the food will only taste unpleasant, and you might have an upset stomach for several hours.
How To Store Cooked Sausage?
Keeping your food in your fridge or the freezer would be best. Bacteria can’t form in cold environments.
In the fridge
Keep your sausages in airtight containers or their packaging. The meat can last longer as a result of the decreased airflow.
They might not stay as well if you store them in the refrigerator on a plate or in an open container; instead, you should consume them immediately.
In the freezer
As long as your sausages are still within their use-by date, you can freeze them to maximize their lifespan. Sometimes, they can last up to three months.
To ensure that there are few bacteria present before it becomes frozen, place the sausages in the freezer as soon as you can.
- How to freeze sausages?
It is advisable to vacuum-seal them to keep your sausages from going bad.
The sausage’s texture will not change or suffer from freezer burn because the vacuum sealer can exclude oxygen and humidity.
If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, you can freezer-safe ziploc bags to keep your food fresh. But before you tie the bag, make sure the sausage is air-free.
Whether you use a ziplock bag or a vacuum sealer, wrap the sausages firmly using aluminum foil. Then, label the storage date before putting the bags in the freezer.
- How to defrost frozen sausages?
Sausage should preferably defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Slow defrosting will prevent texture and flavor changes in the meat.
You can also submerge the sausage bag in cold water and wait for it to thaw. Remember to change the water every half an hour.
Keep in mind that the meat will hit the danger zone after two hours. So you can’t consume the sausage if you let it defrost overnight at room temperature.
FAQs
1. How long can cooked sausage last in your fridge?
The cool environment in your fridge allows your food to last up to three days. If you store it for longer, bacteria will form and destroy the sausage.
2. How long can I store uncooked sausages in the fridge?
As long as you don’t keep them at room temperature for too long, fresh, uncooked sausages can stay in the refrigerator for one to two days.
3. Should you eat cooked sausage overnight?
When left at room temperature for longer than two hours, cooked sausages are not safe to eat anymore. Bacteria can quickly multiply between 40 and 140°F.
Conclusion
Cooked sausages can sit out for two hours at room temperature and two to three days in your fridge.
As you can see, the meat prefers a cool condition to maintain its freshness.
Even when you store your food in the right place, it still will spoil sooner or later. So, remember to check for its smell and appearance before eating.
If you know any storage tips, do not hesitate to share them with us. We will be looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you for reading!
