Yes, plant-based meat does go bad. Find out how long Beyond, Impossible, and other plant-based meats last for.
Vegans, vegetarians, and other plant-based eaters who want to skip real meat every once in a while like plant-based meat.
People may not know how to properly store and prepare new foods because many of them aren’t categorized as foods that come with clear instructions on how to handle and store them.
Short answer: plant-based meat does go bad, but there are things you can do to make it last longer. Find out just how long plant-based meat lasts and learn some helpful hacks for keeping it fresh.
With its juicy texture and robust flavor, Field Roast grain meat sausage has become a favorite for many. But how long does it actually last in the fridge or freezer? Here’s a comprehensive guide to maximizing the shelf life and storage of Field Roast vegan sausage.
An Overview of Field Roast Sausage
For those less familiar Field Roast sausage is a 100% plant-based sausage made by Field Roast Grain Meat Co. It features a blend of vital wheat gluten barley, carrots, onions, garlic, eggplant and chili peppers to mimic meat.
Field Roast makes Italian, Mexican Chipotle, Apple Maple and Smoked Apple Sage flavored sausages They have a remarkably similar taste and texture to traditional pork sausage, but are entirely vegan
How Long Does Unopened Field Roast Sausage Last?
An unopened package of Field Roast vegan sausage has an impressively long shelf life. According to the Field Roast website, it will maintain quality for:
- Refrigerator – About 65 days
- Freezer – Up to 1 year
Field Roast sausage can be frozen or kept cold for the times listed above as long as it stays sealed in its original packaging.
Pay attention to the ‘Best By’ date on the package as a guide for peak freshness.
How Long Does Field Roast Sausage Last After Opening?
Once opened, the shelf life of Field Roast sausage decreases considerably. For best quality and safety, use opened packages within:
- Refrigerator: 7-10 days
- Freezer: 2-3 months
Make sure to rewrap any leftover sausage tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container. Limit air exposure to prevent drying out.
Leaving opened Field Roast sausage at room temperature can allow bacteria to multiply quickly. Refrigerate or freeze after opening.
Freezing Field Roast Sausage
For long term storage, Field Roast sausage can be frozen while maintaining excellent quality.
Freeze sausages in their original packaging or rewrap tightly in freezer bags or plastic wrap. Frozen, unopened Field Roast sausage lasts up to 1 year. Opened packages will keep 2-3 months.
Thaw frozen Field Roast sausages overnight in the refrigerator before using. Do not thaw at room temperature.
Tips for Storing Field Roast Sausage
To get the longest shelf life from Field Roast sausage:
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Refrigerate unopened packages at 40°F or below. Use within 65 days of packaging date.
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Once opened, rewrap tightly and refrigerate. Use within 7-10 days.
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For freezing, wrap individually in plastic wrap or freezer bags.
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When ready to use, thaw frozen sausage overnight in the refrigerator.
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Avoid temperature fluctuations. Use opened packages promptly.
Proper refrigeration and freezing helps Field Roast sausage retain its flavor and moisture.
How Can You Tell if Field Roast Sausage is Bad?
Check for the following signs that Field Roast sausage has spoiled:
- Appearance – Mold, sliminess, or unnatural stickiness
- Smell – Strong rancid, sour or ‘off’ smell
- Texture – Extremely mushy or hard
- Taste – Clearly spoiled, bitter, or ‘off’ flavor
- Color – Grey, brownish instead of light brown
If you notice any of these red flags, play it safe and discard the sausage. Trust your senses – if it seems spoiled in any way, do not eat it.
Creative Ways to Use Field Roast Sausage
The savory umami flavor of Field Roast sausage makes it extremely versatile to cook with. Here are some delicious ways to use it up:
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Chop up in pasta dishes, risottos, fried rice, etc. for a meaty flavor
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Grill or pan-fry into sausage patties or links for breakfast or dinner
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Mix into hearty soups, chilis, and stews for added protein
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Fry up crumbled in a hash with potatoes, peppers, onions, etc.
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Stuff into puff pastry with cheese and bake into tasty hand pies
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Layer on pizza and flatbreads instead of pepperoni or pork sausage
With so many possibilities, it’s easy to use Field Roast sausage creatively in both sweet and savory applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about Field Roast sausage? Here are some commonly asked questions:
How long does opened Field Roast sausage last in the fridge?
About 7-10 days for best quality. Refrigerate all opened packages.
Can you freeze Field Roast sausage?
Yes. It will maintain quality frozen for up to 1 year unopened, 2-3 months opened.
Is Field Roast sausage pre-cooked and ready to eat?
Yes, Field Roast sausage can be eaten immediately without cooking.
Does Field Roast sausage contain wheat or soy?
It contains wheat gluten but does not contain soy. Field Roast products are not gluten-free.
How can you tell if Field Roast sausage has gone bad?
Look for smell, texture, taste or appearance changes. When in doubt, throw it out.
The Takeaway
With proper refrigeration and freezing, the shelf life of Field Roast’s juicy, flavorful vegan sausages can be extended considerably – up to 1 year while frozen! Trust your senses, follow expiration dates, and use refrigerated sausage within 7-10 days. Wit
Signs your plant-based meat has gone bad
If your wondering how to tell if Beyond meat is bad, well, there’s a lot to know.
You should know what to look for to tell if your plant-based meat has gone bad because it might not have the same spoilage signs as real meat.
The first and most important thing to look for is the “best by” date on the package. You should stay away from food that has passed its “best by” date if you want to greatly lower your risk of getting a foodborne illness from bacteria or viruses.
However, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many “best by” dates are not based in exact science.
Often, the dates on the products pertain to the quality of the product, not safety. That is, the “best by” dates might not be meant to be used as an expiration date, and the food might still be safe to eat after the date on the sticker.
In any case, the FDA says to check the product for changes in color or texture to see if it is safe to eat.
Even so, “best by” dates and storage instructions should be followed when issued by the company, as is the case with Beyond Meat and Impossible products.
How long does plant-based meat last in the fridge?
In general, plant-based meat will stay fresh in the fridge for at least a week to ten days if it is not opened. Not all plant-based meat products last as long as others, but once they’re opened, they all go bad faster.
Keep in mind that these guidelines only apply when the plant-based meats have been stored at the proper refrigerator temperature and have not been left out in what’s known as the temperature danger zone for more than two hours (or more than one hour if the temperature is 90° Fahrenheit or above).
According to the USDA, the temperature danger zone is between 40° Fahrenheit and 140° Fahrenheit. In addition, refrigerator temperatures should be 40° Fahrenheit or lower for safe storage.
If you’re wondering how long does Beyond Meat last, you’re about to find out. When Beyond Meat products are purchased refrigerated (not frozen), they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days after they’re thawed.
Beyond Meat’s customer service team says that the grocery store where the product is bought has to put a “best by” sticker on it once it’s been thawed.
This means that if the store thawed the food several days before you brought it home, it may not last as long in your fridge by the time you buy it.
After Beyond Meat is opened, it’s recommended that the product be consumed within three days.
How long can Impossible meat be in the fridge? Impossible is like other major plant-based meat brands when it comes to storage. According to the Impossible website, products should be consumed by the “best by” date on the package.
After being frozen and then thawed, the food should be eaten within 10 days or by the “best by” date on the package, whichever comes first.
It’s also recommended that Impossible products be stored in an airtight container to ensure freshness. After opening, products should be eaten within three days.
It is important to note that some Impossible products may have a sticker that says “if frozen best if used by.” If this is the case, you should follow the date on the sticker.
Field Roast makes a variety of plant-based meats, including burgers, sausages, pepperoni, deli slices, and roasts.
According to the Field Roast website, products can be kept frozen for one year and once thawed, they’re good for 65 days. This is a much longer shelf life than many other plant-based meats including Beyond Meat and Impossible.
Field Roast products can also be frozen to make them last longer, which is another thing that makes them different from the others.
Field Roast, like other companies that make plant-based meat, says to follow the “use by” stickers that stores put on their products.
From plant-based chicken and tempeh to plant-based burgers, sausage, and hot dogs, Lightlife is one of the more versatile plant-based meat companies on the market today.
Lightlife products are usually found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. The company suggests keeping their products in the fridge at home instead of freezing them.
However, when frozen, the products will stay good for one year. As with all plant-based meats, the “best by” date on the package should be followed at the time of purchase.
Additionally, it’s recommended that the products be consumed by the “best by” date, even if frozen.