Deer sausage is a tasty wild game meat that many hunters enjoy making into sausage. Freezing is a great way to preserve deer sausage so you can enjoy it for months after the hunt. But exactly how long does deer sausage last in the freezer?
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about storing deer sausage in the freezer for maximum freshness.
Overview of Frozen Deer Sausage Shelf Life
Freezing is ideal for long term storage of deer sausage. Properly frozen, deer sausage can safely stay fresh in the freezer for approximately 9-12 months.
To get the full shelf life and avoid quality deterioration, it’s important to store deer sausage correctly. Here are some tips:
- Wrap tightly in freezer paper or plastic wrap
- Use freezer bags and remove excess air
- Maintain a constant 0°F freezer temperature
- Avoid freezing more than once
- Track freezer dates for use within 9-12 month window
Let’s look more closely at guidelines for freezing deer sausage to maintain quality and safety.
Wrapping Deer Sausage for the Freezer
Proper wrapping is crucial for preserving the quality of frozen deer sausage. Here are some recommended methods:
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Freezer paper – Wrap each sausage tightly in freezer paper, fold over edges, and tape shut. Freezer paper protects against freezer burn.
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Plastic wrap – Make sure sausage links are thoroughly wrapped in plastic wrap with no air gaps before freezing.
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Freezer bags – Place deer sausage in freezer bags, removing as much excess air as possible before sealing. Flatten bags to limit air pockets.
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Vacuum sealing – Using a vacuum sealer is ideal for removing air and preventing freezer burn.
No matter which wrap method you choose, the goal is to create a solid barrier between the deer sausage and air flow in the freezer. An airtight seal maintains quality best.
Storing Deer Sausage in the Freezer
Once properly wrapped, deer sausage should be promptly stored in a stable, cold freezer set at 0°F or below. Here are some freezer tips:
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Place deer sausage in coldest part of freezer, away from door
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Avoid overcrowding the freezer, as adequate airflow is important
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Store for up to 9-12 months for best quality
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Use oldest frozen sausage first when cooking
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Track storage dates with a freezer log or label packages
Monitoring your freezer temperature and storing deer sausage for the recommended maximum timeframe will help keep it safe and tasty when ready to eat.
Thawing Deer Sausage from the Freezer
The best way to safely thaw frozen deer sausage is in the refrigerator. Leave frozen sausage in its packaging and place on a plate to thaw in the fridge for 12-24 hours before cooking.
For quicker thawing, you can run cold water over freezer bags of deer sausage or use the defrost setting on a microwave. Refrigerate immediately after thawing and cook fully within a few days.
Never thaw deer sausage at room temperature, as this allows bacteria to grow rapidly. And always cook fully after thawing.
Avoid Refreezing Thawed Deer Sausage
While freezing extends shelf life, food experts recommend never refreezing deer sausage once it has been thawed. Refreezing can degrade texture and flavor.
Thawed deer sausage that isn’t getting cooked immediately should be kept refrigerated for up to 2 days max before cooking or discarding. Any sausage left outside the fridge for over 2 hours should also be thrown away.
For optimal safety and quality, use thawed venison within this short recommended window and do not refreeze.
Storing Cooked Deer Sausage
For cooked deer sausage leftovers, store properly in the refrigerator or freezer:
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Refrigeration – Store leftovers in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Discard if moldy.
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Freezer – Freeze cooked sausage for 2-3 months in airtight bags or containers. Avoid refreezing after thawing.
Follow basic food safety guidelines for storing all cooked meats. Eat refrigerated leftovers promptly.
Signs of Spoiled Deer Sausage
Check your frozen or refrigerated deer sausage for the following signs of spoilage:
- Unpleasant odors
- Change in color or slimy texture
- Dry or tacky feel
- Growth of mold or bacteria
- Significantly past expiration date
When in doubt, remember the old adage: “When in doubt, throw it out.” Don’t risk getting sick from spoiled meat.
Key Takeaways on Freezing Deer Sausage
To summarize, following proper storage and thawing methods allows frozen deer sausage to remain fresh for approximately 9-12 months when stored at 0°F:
- Wrap tightly in freezer paper or plastic before freezing
- Use freezer bags and remove excess air
- Freeze fully at 0°F as soon as possible
- Never refreeze thawed deer sausage
- Cook thawed sausage within 2 days
- Discard any sausage left at room temperature for over 2 hours
By mastering frozen storage techniques, you can safely preserve deer sausage to enjoy the flavors of your successful hunt all season long. Happy cooking!
Best Freezer For You Quiz
Now that your meat is butchered the way you like it, its time to freeze. To start, you’ll need freezer bags. For the best results, vacuum seal your deer meat first and then freeze it. However, most folks are good with just using Ziploc freezer bags instead!.
When putting away deer meat, one thing we should all remember is to get as much air out of the bag as possible….
The process of removing the air in the bag helps to keep the quality of deer meat optimal. When there is no extra air in the bag it minimizes the chances of freezer burn from occuring. It’s still safe to eat, but freezer burn happens when air gets stuck in the bags of packaged meat. This dries out the meat and makes it less appealing. Just not as good!.
Hunters Wholesale uses quart-sized freezer bags and a vacuum sealer to do this. Do not put too much deer meat in one bag. The meat should be flat. Make sure to package your deer meat in meal-size servings. This way, you don’t have to thaw the deer meat every time you want to make a family-friendly meal.
According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP), you want to freeze your deer meat at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, as quickly as possible. Your ground deer meat will remain fresh and tasty if consumed within 3 months for the best quality. Its recommended that deer roasts and deer steaks be stored for up to 6 to 9 months at the same temperature.
After the Deer Kill and Before the Freezer
If you want a tasty and tender deer meat dinner, you need to take good care of your deer after you kill it. After shooting, it should be recovered within 45 minutes and then gutted immediately afterward for optimal results!.
It makes us very happy to talk to you in more depth about field dressing and hanging deer meat! Click on this link for some useful information.
Hanging your deer meats is the best way to age it. Leave your deer meat out to dry for seven days, or longer if it’s really cold where you live. This helps to release the gaminess out of the deer meat.
If you want to process your own deer meat, you should get rid of as much of the fat as you can while you’re cutting it up. Animal meat like deer has a different kind of grease than beef and pork, so there shouldn’t be much or any extra!
How Long Does Deer Meat Last In A Deep Freezer?
FAQ
Does frozen deer sausage go bad?
Does venison go bad in the freezer?
How long is vacuum sealed deer sausage good for?
How long can you keep summer sausage in the freezer?
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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 long can you freeze deer meat?
By using these two techniques, vacuum sealing and using a chest freezer, you can significantly extend the shelf life of your frozen deer meat. Instead of 2 to 3 months, this method allows you to freeze deer meat for up to a year or two. Some say even longer!
How long do venison sausages last?
Fresh venison: 1-2 days. Smoked venison: 2-3 months at 40°F or below. Discard if off-color or slimy. Venison sausage: 2-3 months. Smoked sausages: 5-6 months. Store at 0°F or lower, using vacuum sealer or freezer paper. Possible unless left at room temperature for over 2 hours after thawing. Thawing in microwave not recommended.
How long do smoked sausages last?
Smoked sausages: 5-6 months. Store at 0°F or lower, using vacuum sealer or freezer paper. Possible unless left at room temperature for over 2 hours after thawing. Thawing in microwave not recommended. After thawing, refrigerate deer meat for 2-3 days.
How long can you keep deer meat after thawing?
As advised by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you can keep deer meat in the fridge for two to three days after thawing. They generally recommend storing the venison frozen until cooking time. This is because any meat that was frozen and then thawed deteriorates more quickly. A piece of general advice is to store the meat at 40 °F or less.