If you’ve eaten yang chow fried rice, you’ve tasted Chinese sausage. It’s a common ingredient of stir fried noodles and claypot dishes too.
I still remember my first bite of Chinese sausage. It was enveloped in a soft and fluffy bun that had been steamed. It wasn’t until many, many years later that I learned the sausage and bread combination was called lap cheong bun. But the taste didn’t matter what it was called. My mother had to wipe my face clean because the sausage fat had run down my chin.
That was decades ago. As an adult, I’ve love Chinese sausage in all its many forms in Taiwan, Vietnam, and Thailand, and I still do. In fact, I love it even more now than I did as a child.
The cured sausage called Chinese sausage comes from southern China. It is also called lap cheong or Chinese cured sausage. It is a treat that is used in many Chinese dishes to add a sweet and salty meaty flavor. But lap cheong can go bad if it is not stored and handled properly, just like any other food that goes bad quickly. So how do you know if your Chinese sausage is bad? And how should you store lap cheong to make it last longer? This page has all the answers.
An Overview of Chinese Sausage
Before jumping into storage methods and signs of spoilage, let’s first understand what exactly Chinese sausage is.
Lap cheong is made with salt, rice wine, soy sauce, rose wine (shao hsing wine), pork, and pork fat. The ground pork mixture is stuffed into casings, then air dried or smoked. This curing process helps preserve the sausages. Because wine is used to cure lap cheong, it is a type of wet sausage. After that, the sausage is sold in six- to ten-inch-long links.
Popular varieties of Chinese sausage include
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Lap cheong – the traditional Cantonese style which is sweeter
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Yun cheong – the red, smokier sausage from Northern China.
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Lup cheong – a dried version similar to salami.
The taste of lap cheong can range from sweet to salty-sweet to smoky depending on the ingredients and method of curing. The sausage has a firm and dense texture. When cooking, Chinese sausage can be steamed, pan fried, roasted, or simmered in sauces and soups. It’s especially delicious when roasted till the fat is rendered and the sausage becomes caramelized.
How Long Does Chinese Sausage Last?
The shelf life of lap cheong depends on whether it is sealed or opened:
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Unopened, sealed vacuum package – 12 months when stored properly at room temperature. Check the best before date on the package.
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Opened package – 3 weeks in the refrigerator. Ensure lap cheong is tightly wrapped.
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Freezer – 8 to 10 months when frozen at 0°F or below.
As you can see, Chinese sausage lasts significantly longer when stored correctly. So follow the storage instructions to maximize its shelf life. Also, practice FIFO (first in, first out) when using lap cheong – use the older sausages first before newer ones.
How to Store Chinese Sausage to Extend Shelf Life
Proper storage is crucial for extending the shelf life of lap cheong and maintaining quality. Here are some tips:
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For unopened packages – Store at cool room temperature, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat. Avoid freezing unopened packages as it can dry out the sausage.
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For opened packages – Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.
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Freezing – For long term storage, freeze lap cheong. Use freezer bags or airtight containers. Frozen sausages will last 8 months to a year in a 0°F freezer.
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Thawing – Thaw frozen lap cheong overnight in the refrigerator. Do not thaw at room temperature or in hot water. Cook immediately after thawing.
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Avoid temperature fluctuations – Do not store lap cheong at temperatures above 40°F. Fluctuating temperatures can shorten shelf life.
Following these easy guidelines will help keep Chinese sausage fresh for longer!
How to Tell If Chinese Sausage Has Gone Bad
Despite proper storage, lap cheong can still spoil eventually. Check for these signs to identify if your Chinese sausage has gone bad:
1. Mold Growth
One obvious sign is mold growth on the sausages. You may see fuzzy white or black spots on the surface. Mold indicates the sausage has spoiled and should be discarded.
2. Foul Smell
Fresh lap cheong has a sweet, meaty aroma. If you notice a sour, ammonia-like or rotten smell, it means the sausage has gone bad.
3. Change in Color
The sausage filling should be pink or red. Grayish, greenish or brownish discoloration shows that lap cheong has spoiled.
4. Slime Formation
A sticky, shiny, slimy film or spots on the sausage indicates bacterial growth. This spoiled sausage should not be consumed.
5. Rancid Taste
If your Chinese sausage tastes sour or unpleasantly bitter, it has likely gone bad. Rancid lap cheong can make you ill.
When in doubt, remember it’s better to be safe than sorry. If your Chinese sausage shows any of these signs past the expiration date, toss it out!
Can You Eat Chinese Sausage After Expiration Date?
It’s not recommended to eat lap cheong after its expiration date, even if it looks and smells fine. As sausage ages, the risk of bacterial growth increases. Consuming expired foods can potentially result in foodborne illness.
However, if the sausage was continuously refrigerated or frozen, you may use it for up to 1 week past the best before date. But check thoroughly for any signs of spoilage, and cook the sausage thoroughly to 165°F.
The expiration date on the package is the last date for best quality. The sausage may seem alright immediately after expiry but will degrade in condition and flavor. For best taste and food safety, use Chinese sausages by the expiration date.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Chinese Sausage?
Eating spoiled, rotten Chinese sausage has serious risks including:
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Food poisoning – Stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever.
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Bacterial infection – Salmonella, E. coli, listeria, etc.
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Toxins – Harmful waste products from bacteria. Can affect nervous system.
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Allergic reaction – Rash, breathing issues, swelling, anaphylaxis.
Consuming bad sausage can lead to mild sickness or even life-threatening illness in certain cases. Those at highest risks are the very young, elderly, pregnant women, and those with weak immune systems. See a doctor if you develop concerning symptoms after eating spoiled lap cheong.
How to Cook Chinese Sausage Safely
To safely enjoy Chinese sausage, proper cooking is a must. Follow these guidelines when handling and cooking lap cheong:
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Purchase lap cheong from reputable stores and check expiration date.
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Refrigerate sausage immediately at 40°F or below.
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Thaw frozen sausage overnight in the fridge. Do not leave at room temperature.
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Wash hands with soap before and after handling raw sausage.
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Use clean equipment and prep areas when slicing and cooking.
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Cook lap cheong to internal temperature of 165°F. Meat should not have any pink color.
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Consume cooked sausage within 3-4 days. Discard leftovers after one week.
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When reheating, reheat fully till steaming hot.
With adequate cooking, you can kill any harmful bacteria present and safely indulge in delicious Chinese sausage dishes!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze Chinese sausage?
Yes, lap cheong freezes very well for 8 to 12 months. Wrap tightly in airtight packaging before freezing. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator before use.
How long is leftover cooked Chinese sausage good for?
Cooked lap cheong will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days refrigerated. Discard any leftovers after one week in the fridge. Reheat fully when consuming leftovers.
Can you eat Chinese sausage raw?
It is not recommended to eat raw Chinese sausage. Lap cheong is a cured, seasoned sausage but still carries a risk of bacteria without cooking. Always cook lap cheong thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature.
Does Chinese sausage need to be refrigerated?
Sealed packages can be stored at cool room temperature. But refrigerate after opening, and use within 3 weeks. For long term storage, freeze lap cheong.
Can Chinese sausage be eaten without cooking?
Chinese sausage should always be cooked before eating. The curing process helps preserve it but does not make the sausage shelf-stable. Uncooked sausage can contain harmful bacteria.
Conclusion
Chinese sausage is a beloved ingredient in Chinese cuisine and imparts a wonderful umami, sweet and salty flavor. With proper storage and handling, lap cheong can keep well in the pantry, fridge or freezer. Check for signs of spoilage like foul odors, slime and mold. For safety, cook lap cheong thoroughly and eat by the expiration date. Following these simple guidelines will allow you to safely enjoy the delicious flavors of Chinese sausage for months to come!
Tips for buying Chinese sausage
When you go to an Asian grocery to buy Chinese sausage, know that there are many kinds. They come in different lengths, widths, and colors, from chocolate to dull red.
The shape and and color define the variety. The thin dark sausages are likely made with pork or duck liver. The dull red ones with bright white specks are most likely made with pork meat and fat.
Look alone isn’t enough to tell, especially since the labels don’t have any English translations. To make sure you get the right sausage, you should ask the store owner to describe the differences between the ones that are displayed.
What is Chinese sausage?
It’s a term that encompasses an array of sausages from China where they have been made as early as 300-500 A.D. The Cantonese name is lap cheong. Not as well known outside China is a spicy variety from the Sichuan region.
Chinese sausage may be smoked and dried, or fresh. It can be fatty or lean. The most common kind is made with pork and small chunks of fat, but the best one I’ve ever had was made with duck liver.