Sausages are delicious and a rich source of protein the whole family can enjoy. You can make a hearty meal with them quickly when you don’t have much time, and you can eat them for breakfast, in soups, or on a plain hot dog bun. It’s not a surprise that sausage sales are going up since there are so many thing that can be done.
Buying good sausages and storing them the right way until it’s time to cook will keep your family healthy. Because you want your sausages to be fresh before you serve them, you need to know how long they can be kept. That way, you can be sure that the sausages you serve are always the healthiest and tastiest, just the way they should be, no matter who you’re cooking for. Here are some general guidelines regarding the shelf life of sausages.
Turkey sausage is a delicious, lower-fat alternative to traditional pork sausage that can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet But like any ground meat product, it requires safe handling and storage to avoid spoilage and bacterial contamination So how long does turkey sausage last in the refrigerator? Let’s take a closer look.
Overview of Turkey Sausage
Turkey sausage is made from ground turkey seasoned with herbs, spices, and other flavorings. It comes in a few main varieties
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Fresh, uncooked sausage – This raw sausage needs to be cooked before eating. It has the shortest fridge life
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Pre-cooked sausage – This is sold fully cooked but still raw. It can be eaten right away or heated up. It lasts longer than fresh.
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Smoked sausage – This is cooked and smoked for flavor. Examples are turkey kielbasa and turkey andouille sausage.
Turkey sausage can be readily found in most grocery stores, often near the fresh pork sausage. Popular brands include Jennie-O, Jimmy Dean, Shady Brook Farms, Applegate, and more. It’s sold in links, patties, rolls, and bulk ground.
How Long Does Raw Turkey Sausage Last Refrigerated?
- Fresh, raw turkey sausage only lasts 1-2 days in the fridge.
- Pre-cooked, unopened turkey sausage lasts 1 week refrigerated.
- Once opened, cooked turkey sausage lasts 3-4 days.
These timelines are based on food safety guidelines for refrigerating meats from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The shelf lives can vary a bit based on the “sell by” or “use by” date printed on the packaging.
Here is a more detailed breakdown of how long different types of turkey sausage last in the refrigerator:
- Raw ground turkey sausage: 1-2 days
- Raw turkey sausage links/patties: 1-2 days
- Store-bought precooked sausage, unopened: 1 week
- Store-bought precooked sausage, opened: 3-4 days
- Homemade cooked turkey sausage: 3-4 days
- Smoked turkey sausage, unopened: 2 weeks
- Smoked turkey sausage, opened: 3-4 days
As you can see, raw turkey sausage has the shortest shelf life. Once cooked, either homemade or store-bought, it lasts 3-4 days in the fridge. Smoked varieties like turkey kielbasa last even longer – up to 2 weeks if the package is unopened.
Maximizing Fridge Life of Turkey Sausage
To help turkey sausage stay fresh as long as possible:
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Store in the coldest part of the fridge, ideally at 40°F or below. Keep away from the door where temps fluctuate.
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If sausage comes in a plastic packaging, leave it sealed until ready to use. Open packages allow for faster spoilage.
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Once opened, re-wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil to prevent leaks and freezer burn.
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Don’t let raw turkey sausage touch other foods in the fridge, which can lead to cross-contamination. Keep on a plate or in a container.
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Consider freezing for longer storage. Turkey sausage can be frozen for 2-3 months in a freezer at 0°F. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
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Monitor for signs of spoilage like bad odor, sliminess, or discoloration. Sausage can develop a greyish hue when old. Discard if any mold is present.
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Adhere to “sell by” and “use by” dates, and don’t go longer than the recommended fridge times above.
Following proper storage methods will ensure turkey sausage stays safe and retains good eating quality as long as possible. Trust your senses too – if it smells bad or looks off, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Food Safety Tips for Handling Turkey Sausage
Since raw turkey sausage contains poultry, it’s important to handle it properly to avoid foodborne illness. Here are some key food safety guidelines:
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Always cook turkey sausage to an internal temperature of 165°F, until well done with no pink showing. This kills any harmful bacteria.
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Never leave turkey sausage sitting out at room temperature for more than 2 hours before putting it in the fridge. Bacteria multiples rapidly above 40°F.
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When thawing frozen sausage, do it in the refrigerator overnight rather than on the counter. Don’t try to rush defrosting.
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Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces that have touched raw turkey sausage to avoid cross-contamination. Raw poultry can spread bacteria.
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Don’t rinse raw turkey sausage before cooking. This can further spread bacteria in the kitchen. It’s not needed for safety or quality.
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Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours. Divide into shallow containers for fast chilling. Reheat to 165°F before eating.
Following safe refrigeration guidelines, cooking turkey sausage thoroughly, monitoring for spoilage, and avoiding cross-contamination will help keep this tasty meat safe to enjoy.
Signs Turkey Sausage Has Spoiled
Turkey sausage, like any meat, can harbor bacteria that multiply rapidly at warmer temperatures. This makes knowing when it has spoiled critical. Signs turkey sausage has gone bad include:
- Slimy texture or tacky surface
- Grey, green or rainbow discoloration
- Mold growth – may appear fuzzy or weblike on the surface
- Sour or off odor
- Expired sell by or use by date
If you notice any of these signs, err on the side of caution and throw away the turkey sausage. It’s not worth getting sick over. Discard the entire package or container even if just some of the sausage shows spoilage.
The slimy feel, foul smell, and unnatural colors signify bacteria growth. Some molds and yeasts can also develop, releasing potential mycotoxins. It’s not possible to simply rinse or cook off the “badness.” Spoiled sausage must be discarded.
When kept properly refrigerated, good quality turkey sausage should last about a week past its package date before these warning signs appear. Monitor your fridge temps and trust your senses when inspecting turkey sausage to catch problems.
The Bottom Line
Turkey sausage is a versatile, leaner alternative to pork sausage that can be used in all sorts of recipes. But like any perishable meat, it requires proper storage and handling for food safety. Raw turkey sausage keeps 1-2 days in the fridge. Precooked and smoked types can go 1 week or longer if unopened. Once open, cooked sausage keeps 3-4 days refrigerated.
Monitor fridge temps, wrap sausage tightly, separate raw meats, cook thoroughly, and don’t go over recommended timelines. If you notice any slime, smell, or discoloration, that sausage needs to be thrown out. Following these simple sausage storage guidelines will keep you and your family safe from foodborne illness. Then you can feel good about enjoying delicious turkey sausage!
How to Tell if Your Sausages Have Gone Bad
If you’ve forgotten the time, the power went out, or you’re not sure if the sausage is still good to eat, look for these signs:
- Strong or unpleasant smell: If your sausage smells strong or unpleasant, it’s already gone bad. If the smell of your sausage is fishy, sour, or acidic, you should probably throw it away. When sausage is bad, it often smells like rotten eggs, so throw it away even if you bought it already cooked.
- As the sausages age, their color may change. If you see a gray or greenish tint, this is usually a sign. You should throw away cooked sausage that turns brown.
- Shape and feel changes: If your sausage gets slimy and loses its color and firmness, it’s probably no longer safe to eat.
- Mold: If your sausages have mold or any other sign of bacterial growth, you should throw them away.
- Loss of moisture: When cooked sausage starts to crack or dry out, it means it’s losing its water. You should throw it away because it’s not fresh enough to eat anymore.
How to Store Sausages Properly
You can prolong the life of your sausages with correct storage. If you pay extra attention to how you store your sausages, they will stay safe to eat and keep their great fresh, spicy taste. Keep the following tips and tricks in mind:
- Keep your hands clean and dry. Before you touch sausages, wash and dry your hands well. It prevents the spread of potentially harmful bacteria. Keep raw meat away from other foods at all times, and clean all surfaces and tools when you’re done.
- They should be kept in the coldest part of the fridge or freezer. Fridge and freezer temperatures are different. Keep in mind that meat should be kept in the fridge at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
- Follow the two-day rule: Eat fresh sausage no more than two days after buying it. It should be frozen if you plan to use it more than two days after buying it.
- Use the right containers: Whether you’re putting sausages in the fridge or the freezer, make sure you use the right container, like a tub that won’t let air in or a wrap that can handle temperatures below zero.
- If you’re not sure if your sausages are safe to eat, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Ask the Test Kitchen: How Long Will Meat Last in the Fridge?
FAQ
How long does raw turkey sausage last in the fridge?
How long is packaged sausage good for in the fridge?
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Type of Sausage
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Refrigerator – Unopened
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Refrigerator – After Opening
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Hard/Dry Sausage
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Whole, 6 weeks in pantry; indefinitely in refrigerator
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3 weeks
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Hot Dogs and Other Cooked Sausage
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2 weeks
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7 days
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Luncheon Meats
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2 weeks
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3 to 5 days
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Summer Sausage (Semi-dry)
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3 months
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3 weeks
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How long do uncooked sausages last in the fridge?
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Product
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Refrigerator (40 F)
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Freezer (0 F)
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Sausage, raw – from pork, beef, turkey
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1-2 days
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1-2 months
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Smoked breakfast links, patties
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7 days
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1-2 months
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Hard sausage
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Opened: 3 weeks. Unopened: indefinitely
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1-2 months
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Summer sausage labeled “keep refrigerated”
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Opened: 3 weeks. Unopened: 3 months
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1-2 months
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How to tell if sausage has gone bad?
How long does sausage last in the fridge?
Even being stored in the fridge, a sausage will still eventually go bad. It will last varying amounts of time depending on what type of sausage it is. A fresh uncooked sausage only has up to three days before it goes bad. How long is packaged sausage good for in the fridge?
How long does cooked turkey sausage last?
Cooked turkey sausage lasts up to 7 days at 39.2 ° F in the fridge. In the freezer, turkey sausage will last up to 1 month. Unopened cooked turkey sausage lasts for 2 weeks at 39.2 ° F in the refrigerator and up to 2 months at 17,6 °F in the freezer.
How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge?
In general, cooked turkey is good in the fridge for 3-4 days, but some recipes call for longer storage time, such as those that require refrigerated overnight preparation or slow cooking.
How long do chicken sausages last?
Chicken sausages last up for 3 days in paper or a plastic container at 40 °F or below in the fridge. Store homemade Chicken sausages in an airtight container for 1-2 days at 36,4 °F. Store unopen store-bought chicken sausages from 4 to 6 days at 40 °F in a fridge. Open Chicken sausages cannot be stored in a plastic bag.
Can sausages be refrigerated?
This is just congealed fat and is not something to worry about. Fresh sausages are notoriously bad for storing in a fridge. This is because they only last for up to three days. These sausages should be treated similarly to any other perishable good and should not be unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours.
How long do raw sausages last after being frozen?
Properly stored, they will maintain best quality for about 1 to 2 months, but will remain safe beyond that time. The freezer time shown is for best quality only – sausages that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. How long do raw sausages last after being frozen and thawed?