How Long Can You Freeze Jimmy Dean Sausage to Maintain Freshness?

Jimmy Dean sausage is a breakfast staple in many households. The savory pork sausage patties or links are a quick, easy and tasty way to start the day

But if you don’t go through a package of Jimmy Dean sausage before the expiration date, freezing is a great option. Freezing allows you to store the sausage for longer periods while maintaining quality and taste.

Knowing the proper techniques for freezing and thawing Jimmy Dean sausage ensures you can enjoy delicious breakfasts for months to come In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from freezer storage times to defrosting methods

How Long Does Jimmy Dean Sausage Last in the Freezer?

If you follow the right steps for freezing, Jimmy Dean sausage can be kept in the freezer for a long time without any problems. Here are the recommended freezer times for different types of Jimmy Dean sausage:

• Raw Jimmy Dean pork sausage patties or links: 1-2 months for best quality
• Fully cooked Jimmy Dean sausage: Up to 6 months
• Jimmy Dean Kitchen Fresh Breakfast Links: Up to 2 years
• Jimmy Dean fully cooked sausage and deli meats: Up to 3 years

These timeframes ensure the taste texture and safety of Jimmy Dean sausage is preserved. Freezing halts bacteria growth that causes spoilage. As long as the sausage remains solidly frozen it will be safe to eat.

However, frozen foods kept for longer periods than recommended may suffer some loss of quality. Flavors can dull slightly and textures may dry out.

For best results, consume Jimmy Dean sausage within the suggested freezer timeframes. Date packages before freezing and use oldest sausages first.

Why Freeze Jimmy Dean Sausage?

Freezing offers many benefits for maximizing the shelf life of Jimmy Dean sausage:

• Prevents waste: Freezing preserves unused sausages so they don’t spoil before use. No more tossing out expired sausage!.

• Saves money: Buying in bulk when sausage goes on sale allows you to freeze extras. This can reduce costs over time.

• Provides convenience: Keeping a stash of frozen sausage means you always have a quick protein option for rushed mornings.

• Maintains quality: Freezing within recommended timeframes keeps sausage tasting great.

• Allows longer storage: Certain Jimmy Dean products last up to 3 years in the freezer, much longer than refrigerated.

For these reasons, freezing is one of the best ways to make your Jimmy Dean sausage purchase go further.

Proper Storage of Jimmy Dean Sausage in the Freezer

To get the most out of frozen Jimmy Dean sausage, proper storage techniques are important. Here are some tips:

• Use moisture-proof packaging like plastic freezer bags or airtight containers. This prevents freezer burn which can dry out sausages.

• Squeeze out excess air before sealing bags. Air speeds freezer burn.

• Leave 2 inches of headspace in bags or containers to allow for expansion as contents freeze.

• Wrap individual patties or links in plastic wrap before bagging to prevent them sticking together.

• Store raw and cooked sausages separately to prevent cross-contamination. Use different bags/containers.

• Label bags or containers with contents and freeze-by date to track shelf life.

• Set freezer temperature to 0°F or below to maintain solid freezing.

Following these guidelines ensures Jimmy Dean sausage stays fresh and safe for long periods in the freezer.

Thawing Jimmy Dean Sausage

Once frozen Jimmy Dean sausage has been stored for its recommended period, proper thawing is essential before use. Here are some safe ways to defrost:

• Refrigerator thawing: Place frozen sausage in fridge in packaging. Takes 1-2 days but is safest method.

• Cold water thawing: Seal sausages in bag and submerge in bowl of cold tap water, changing water every 30 mins. Takes 2-3 hours.

• Microwave thawing: Microwave sausage patties/links on defrost setting or 50% power in 30 second bursts, checking often.

Key tips for thawing:

• Always thaw sausage in packaging or covered container. Never thaw at room temp.

• Cook sausage immediately after microwave or cold water thawing. Don’t refreeze thawed raw sausage.

• Once thawed, sausage should be cooked within 1-2 days. Discard any older thawed sausage.

Proper thawing ensures frozen Jimmy Dean sausage maintains top quality for breakfast.

Is it Safe to Refreeze Jimmy Dean Sausage?

Jimmy Dean sausage that has been previously frozen can be safely refrozen under certain conditions:

• Sausage must have been thawed in the refrigerator, never reaching room temperature. Bacteria multiply rapidly at room temperature.

• Previously frozen raw sausage should only be refrozen if it was thawed but not cooked. Refreezing slows bacteria growth.

• Previously frozen fully cooked sausage is safe to refreeze after thawing in fridge. Cooking kills bacteria prior to freezing.

• Only refreeze sausage one time. Multiple freezings affect texture negatively.

• Portion sausage into meal sizes before refreezing to avoid repeated thawing of large packages.

Refreezing is safe when done properly, but quality may diminish slightly. For best results, try to thaw only as much Jimmy Dean sausage as needed.

Cooking Frozen Jimmy Dean Sausage

Cooking frozen sausage directly is possible but does require some adjustments:

• Increase cooking time as frozen sausage takes longer to fully cook through.

• Partially thaw thick sausage pieces like bratwursts before grilling or pan frying. This allows inside to cook before outside burns.

• Use a lower heat setting when pan frying frozen sausage to prevent burning exterior before interior thaws.

• Bake frozen sausage patties or links directly on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. The indirect heat cooks evenly.

• Stir crumbled frozen sausage frequently when cooking into dishes like scrambled eggs or pasta sauce to ensure even heating.

While thawed sausage is easiest to cook, with some modifications frozen Jimmy Dean sausage can also be prepared safely and deliciously.

Tips for Using Frozen Jimmy Dean Sausage

Here are some useful tips for incorporating frozen Jimmy Dean sausage into favorite dishes:

• Thaw sausage patties in fridge then warm in microwave or pan for breakfast sandwiches.

• Mix crumbled raw frozen sausage into casserole dishes. The sauce will thaw and cook it through.

• Brown frozen sausage crumbles, drain, then add to soups, pasta sauce or rice dishes for flavor.

• Top pizza with thawed sausage crumbles just before baking so they warm without overcooking.

• Cook frozen sausage links until browned then slice and add to omelets, breakfast tacos or hash.

With some preparation, frozen Jimmy Dean sausage can be used in many recipes for fast, tasty meals.

Nutrition Information for Jimmy Dean Sausage

In addition to convenience, Jimmy Dean sausage provides a good hit of protein, vitamins and minerals. However, the fat and sodium content should be accounted for in a balanced diet:

• High in protein – 8g per 2 patties (68g) – for muscle repair and fullness

• Also relatively high in total fat (27g) and saturated fat which impacts heart health

• Contains small amounts of micronutrients like iron, potassium and B vitamins

• Minimal carbohydrates and sugar

• Exact sodium content unavailable but processed meats are often high in sodium

When consuming Jimmy Dean sausage, be mindful of portion sizes and frequency to manage fat, sodium and calories. Enjoy as part of an overall nutritious diet.

The Bottom Line

Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of Jimmy Dean sausage for up to 2 years while maintaining quality and safety. Use proper freezer storage guidelines, thaw using recommended methods and practice safe refreezing. With the proper techniques, you can enjoy delicious Jimmy Dean sausage for many hassle-free mornings from your freezer stash.