Can You Freeze Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage? Everything You Need To Know

As a busy home cook, I’m always looking for ways to make meal prep more efficient One strategy I rely on is freezing sausages for quick weeknight dinners Hillshire Farms smoked sausages are a staple in my freezer because they’re tasty, convenient, and freeze well. But can you really freeze Hillshire Farms smoked sausages? How should you store them and what’s the best way to thaw them? I did some digging to find out.

An Overview on Freezing Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausages

The good news is that you can freeze Hillshire Farms smoked sausages! Freezing is a great way to keep sausages fresh longer and avoid waste. Hillshire Farms smoked sausages will keep their unique flavor, moisture, and texture for two to three months if they are frozen correctly.

Freezing sausages allows you to:

• Stock up when they go on sale
• Prep bulk packages into portioned meals
• Always have a quick protein on hand
• Reduce waste by freezing leftovers or partial packages

However, there are a few best practices to follow for freezing sausages successfully. Read on for a full guide on how to freeze Hillshire Farms smoked sausages, including how to store them and how to thaw them.

Why Freeze Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausages?

There are several advantages that make freezing Hillshire Farms smoked sausages worth it:

1. Extend the shelf life

Fresh sausages last just 4-7 days in the fridge. Freezing gives you 2-3 months to enjoy Hillshire Farms smoked sausages before they expire.

2. Avoid waste

Freezing transforms sausages from a perishable product into a non-perishable item. You can freeze leftovers, partial packages or meat nearing expiration to prevent having to toss them out.

3 Save money

Stock up on sales or bulk packages and freeze sausages in handy portions to stretch your dollar. Individual links are pricey – buying in bulk and freezing can cut costs.

4. Meal prep made easy

Having pre-portioned frozen sausages ready to go streamlines weeknight cooking. Just thaw what you need for tacos, pasta, soups, sandwiches, etc.

5. Lock in freshness

When frozen correctly, the flavor, moisture and texture of smoked sausages is preserved. Thawed sausages taste just-prepared.

Clearly, freezing offers plenty of perks! As long as you take a few precautions, Hillshire Farms smoked sausages freeze remarkably well.

How To Freeze Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausages

Freezing Hillshire Farms smoked sausages is simple – just follow these steps:

1. Portion sausages

For easier thawing and use, divide sausage links or chops into meal-sized portions. Individual links or 2-3 chops packaged together works well.

2. Seal tightly

Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, parchment paper or aluminum foil. This prevents freezer burn which dries out sausages.

3. Bag it up

Place wrapped portions in freezer bags or airtight containers. This adds another layer of protection. Label with contents and date.

4. Freeze away!

Lay packages flat in a single layer in the freezer until solidly frozen, about 24 hours. Then you can stack or stand packages upright to conserve space.

5. Use within 2-3 months

For best quality, eat frozen Hillshire Farms smoked sausages within 2-3 months. After that, flavor and texture declines.

And that’s it – easy peasy! Now that you know how to freeze them, let’s go over the best practices for thawing, cooking and storing your frozen Hillshire Farms smoked sausages.

Thawing Frozen Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausages

Thawing is an important step to bring out the full flavor and juiciness of previously frozen sausages. Here are a few do’s and don’ts:

❌ Don’t thaw at room temperature – this encourages bacterial growth.

❌ Don’t microwave frozen sausages – they can partially cook and dry out.

✅ Do thaw overnight in the fridge – safest method.

✅ Do thaw in cold water – faster than fridge.

✅ Do cook frozen – for grilling or sautéing.

Once thawed, use Hillshire Farms smoked sausages within 1 week. Do not refreeze thawed sausages.Cooking from frozen works well for grilling, sautéing or boiling sausages – just allow a few extra minutes. The microwave can par-cook and dry out sausages so it’s better to use other thawing methods.

For best results, thaw frozen Hillshire Farms smoked sausages in the refrigerator overnight. This gently defrosts them while preventing bacterial growth. For faster thawing, seal sausages in a zip top bag and submerge in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until thawed. Thawed sausages will last 3-5 days refrigerated.

Cooking Previously Frozen Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausages

Cooking thawed smoked sausages is the same as fresh – just follow safe handling rules:

• Cook to an internal temperature of 160°F
• Don’t cross-contaminate by letting raw sausages touch cooked foods
• Wash hands, utensils and surfaces after handling raw sausages
• Refrigerate cooked sausages within 2 hours

You can pan fry, grill, bake, broil, boil or simmer thawed Hillshire Farms smoked sausages. They work well in soups, with pasta, on pizza, in tacos or sandwiches.

For the juiciest texture, sauté over medium-high heat until browned then finish cooking through at a lower temperature. Grilling infuses great smoky flavor – cook slowly over indirect heat, turning to prevent charring.

Now you can enjoy the signature flavor of Hillshire Farms smoked sausages no matter what meal you’re making!

Storing Cooked Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausages

Cooked sausages have a shorter shelf life than raw. Follow these storage guidelines:

Refrigerate: 3-4 days

Seal tightly and store cooked sausages in the fridge.

Freeze: 2-3 months

Wrap chilled, cooked sausages well and freeze. Thaw in fridge before serving.

Reheat: 165°F

Reheat fully until piping hot. Don’t keep at room temperature more than 2 hours.

With proper storage, you can get the most out of your frozen Hillshire Farms smoked sausages.

Freezing Smoked Sausage FAQs

Still have some questions about freezing Hillshire Farms smoked sausages? Here are answers to some common queries:

How long do frozen smoked sausages last?

In the freezer, Hillshire Farms smoked sausages will stay fresh for 2-3 months. After that, quality declines.

Can you freeze smoked sausage after opening package?

Yes, open packages can be frozen. Divide contents into portions, seal tightly, then freeze.

Can I freeze raw smoked sausages without wrapping?

It’s best to wrap sausages well before freezing to prevent freezer burn. Unwrapped sausage will dry out.

Is it safe to eat expired frozen sausage?

Frozen sausage may still be safe to eat after the “best by” date, but the quality likely declines after 2-3 months. Inspect sausage before eating and discard if discolored or smells off.

Can I freeze and re-freeze smoked sausage?

It’s not recommended to freeze thawed smoked sausage again, as the texture will deteriorate. Only freeze once.

Can I freeze pre-cooked smoked sausage?

Pre-cooked smoked sausage can be frozen in original packaging or after opening. Divide into portions and wrap well.

Freezing gives you options for reducing waste and always having Hillshire Farms smoked sausages at the ready. Follow my tips for freezing, thawing and cooking and you’ll get delicious results every time.