Deer hunters all understand the value of venison meat and the significance of appropriate meat preservation.
One of the practical ways to store this meat in the following seasons is to make it into summer sausages.
However, many wonder whether this method helps the deer meat last longer. How long does deer summer sausage last in the fridge?
You’ve landed on the right site! This article will show you the lifespan of this food to look for a suitable storage method. Let’s dive into it!
How Long Does Deer Summer Sausage Last In The Fridge?
Unopened sausage has a three-month shelf life when kept in a fridge. If you open the package, your food lasts for around three weeks before it goes bad.
Deer Summer Sausages are ideal for a warm, savory summer sausage flavor.
If you buy a lot of deer sausages, it’s best to store them in the fridge to extend their shelf life.
How long can this food stay in good condition? According to the USDA, venison and deer foods should be at 40°F or lower if refrigerated.
It is ideal to carefully wrap the meat in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to properly keep sausage for so long and optimize its expiration date.
This storage technique will prevent air from penetrating and perhaps contaminating the meat.
Moreover, the package lid of deer sausage usually includes a sell-by date.
It is a great idea to heed this instruction to guarantee that the food keeps its optimum freshness and flavor.
Do You Need To Refrigerate Deer Summer Sausage?
Summer sausage made from venison often doesn’t require refrigeration if it hasn’t been opened.
This sausage is unique. A special concoction of materials that prolongs meat preservation has been put within the flesh. The cure also contains sodium nitrate, which is effective against the germs that cause botulism.
Most deer summer sausages you buy at the supermarket will still be in excellent condition after prolonged storage.
Nevertheless, don’t leave the sausages in the cupboard unattended for more than a month.
Besides, you may discover additional details on the summer sausage packaging.
If you notice the warning “Refrigerate After Opening” on the label, it’s best to put your food in the fridge after unboxing it.
You may store some types of deer sausages at room temperature while you have to put some in the fridge after buying them.
It’s better to look for the “Need Refrigeration” warning on their label after purchasing them from the supermarket.
If you detect this instruction, you must put this food in the fridge as soon as possible.
When you can’t find any warning about the shelflife of the sausages on the packaging, it’s a good idea to put this food in the fridge.
Can You Put Deer Summer Sausage In The Freezer?
The answer is yes! You can put summer sausage in the freezer like other types of food.
If increasing the life span is your primary concern, this method is the best choice.
Nonetheless, you must adequately freeze your meat to prevent freezer burn and premature rotting.
How to freeze these sausages? You can follow the tips to get the best result:
- To cover your sausages, get extra freezer paper.
- Wrap the meat in the paper, similar to how you wrap a present.
- Wrap your sausages with the edges folded.
- Purchase a freezer tape, then apply it to the edges.
- You can use a sealer to seal your package.
- Label the wrap.
- Write the date on the wrap.
- For a maximum of six months, keep the package frozen.
Is It Possible To Refreeze Deer Sausage?
The short answer is yes! You may refreeze deer summer sausage. Nevertheless, you need to be cautious when thawing the food.
Be careful to microwave or refrigerate the sausage to defrost it. If you intend to refreeze these sausages, don’t keep them out of the freezer for around 24 hours.
You may risk ruining food by defrosting and repeatedly freezing it.
The deer sausages have undergone the curing process. However, frequent temperature changes might reduce the meat’s quality and make it spoiled.
Whenever you defrost the meat after freezing it, you should look for symptoms of deterioration.
Throw the sausages away if the appearance or smell changes or if mildew is forming on them.
How To Thaw Frozen Deer Summer Sausage?
You can apply one of the two methods to thaw your sausages. You may leave them to thaw naturally in the fridge or a microwave.
The quickest and most practical method of thawing is in the refrigerator, but it will need a little longer.
Nevertheless, it would be best if you guaranteed that your fridge’s inside temperature is below 41°F.
Finding space on the lowest rack is where you need to put the sausages after placing them on a platter.
This plate will stop the fluids from the food from dripping all over the refrigerator.
If the meat feels soft when touching and no ice is visible, they have been appropriately defrosted.
If you want to serve frozen sausage for supper, take it from the refrigerator the day before.
The microwave is an alternative way to defrost food.
Although this method is far quicker than thawing meats in the fridge, it also necessitates extreme caution.
Place the meats on a tray and turn on the microwave to defrost mode to prevent burning.
They should be inside the fridge until they get separated. You may check whether you could split the meat with a fork.
It’s better to re-microwave for two more minutes to complete the thawing after the sausages have separated.
Whichever method you use, it’s best to cook the food immediately after defrosting to prevent harmful bacteria from entering the meat.
In A Nutshell
After reading this article, have you got the answer to the question: How long does deer summer sausage last in the fridge?
If opened, the meat can last up to 10 months. The lifespan may decrease if it’s an opened package within three months.
Hopefully, this post is helpful for you. Thanks for taking the time to follow Health’s Kitchen!
