can you freeze neeses sausage

Can You Freeze Neese’s Sausage? The Complete Guide

As a sausage lover, I often find myself with more sausage than I can eat before it expires. Neese’s sausage is one of my favorites, so I did some research to find out if freezing it is an option to make it last longer. The good news is yes you can freeze Neese’s sausage! Both cooked and uncooked Neese’s sausage can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Freezing sausage is a great way to save money by buying in bulk, stock up during sales, and reduce food waste. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about properly freezing and thawing Neese’s sausage to maintain quality and flavor.

Why Freeze Neese’s Sausage

There are several advantages to freezing Neese’s sausage:

• Extends shelf life – Freezing prevents bacterial growth allowing sausage to last for months instead of just days in the refrigerator.

• Saves money – Buy extra when sausage goes on sale and freeze portions for later. No need to throw out unused sausage that goes bad before you can eat it.

• Saves time: Only thaw what you need for recipes, breakfast, or snacks when you need it. Always have your favorite sausage on hand.

• Maintains quality – Correct freezing locks in flavor, moisture, and texture instead of letting sausage deteriorate.

• Allows bulk prep – Cook up a batch of sausage then freeze portions to reheat for quick meals throughout the week.

• Reduces waste – Freezing preserves sausage that would otherwise get tossed if it goes bad before you use it. Being able to freeze Neese’s sausage means none gets wasted.

How To Properly Freeze Neese’s Sausage

Follow these steps to correctly freeze Neese’s sausage and keep it fresh and tasty:

1. Allow sausage to cool completely after cooking. Divide into portions if not freezing whole packages.

2. Wrap sausage tightly in plastic wrap, freezer wrap, or place in freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible. Portioning out servings makes for quick easy prep later.

3. For an extra layer of protection against freezer burn, place wrapped sausage in a container or double bag.

4. Label bags or containers with contents and freeze-by date. Store sausage flat to maximize freezer space.

5. Freeze sausage as soon as possible after purchasing for best quality. Use within 3 months for optimal freshness.

6. Avoid letting sausage thaw then refreezing as this causes texture changes from moisture loss.

Pro Tips:

• Double wrap or vacuum seal sausage for max freezer life up to 6 months.

• Layer freezer paper between sausage patties or links to prevent them sticking together.

• Freeze pre-shaped sausage balls or crumbles for instant meal additions.

Thawing Frozen Neese’s Sausage

Thaw frozen sausage properly to ensure safety and retain texture:

• Refrigerator: Best method. Thaw overnight in fridge, allowing about 5 hours per pound.

• Cold water: Submerge sealed sausage in cold water, changing water every 30 mins. Takes about 2 hours for a 1 lb package.

• Microwave: Use defrost setting or low power for 2-3 mins. Check often and flip. Cook immediately after microwaving.

Safety Tips:

• Cook sausage thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature after thawing.

• Don’t let sausage sit at room temperature for over 2 hours during or after thawing.

• Never refreeze thawed sausage – cook within 1-2 days.

• If thawed sausage has an off smell or appearance, throw it out.

Using Frozen Sausage in Recipes

Frozen Neese’s sausage works great in all kinds of dishes. Here are some of my favorite ways to cook with frozen sausage:

• Breakfast – Thaw links in the fridge then griddle or pan fry for patties, chops, or slices.

• Soups – Drop frozen sausage crumbles or balls into simmering soups and stews. They’ll cook through in 15-20 minutes.

• Casseroles – Mix chopped frozen sausage into egg bakes, pasta bakes, enchiladas, and more.

• Pizza – Thaw and brown sausage crumbles to top homemade or frozen pizzas.

• Pasta – Slice thawed sausage links and sauté to toss with pasta.

• Salads – Fry fully cooked frozen sausage and let cool. Toss crumbled on top of leafy and grain salads.

• Appetizers – Thaw sausage links, cut into chunks or slices, and skewer for easy party finger foods.

• Quesadillas and More – Chop up thawed sausage and add to melted cheese between tortillas, sandwiches, wraps, and bread.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Want to save some prepped frozen sausage for later in the week? Here’s how:

• Fully reheat thawed sausage leftovers to 165°F.

• Let cool, then store in airtight container in fridge for 3-4 days.

• Frozen leftovers will keep for 2-3 months. Reheat directly from frozen.

• Microwave or pan fry leftovers to desired temperature before serving again.

• Toss crumbled sausage in sauces, soups, and baked dishes to reheat.

Signs Your Frozen Sausage Has Gone Bad

Monitor the quality of frozen Neese’s sausage and watch for these signs it’s spoiled:

• Unpleasant odors, sliminess, or very sticky texture.

• Extreme freezer burn with dry, brown sausage spots.

• Change in color from pink and brown to gray, green, or black.

• Ice crystals inside package or on sausage links.

• Soft, mushy spots or shriveled appearance.

Ideally, frozen sausage will retain its firmness and shape when solidly frozen. Discard any sausage over 3 months old or that shows signs of spoilage. When in doubt, throw it out.