How Long Can Sausage Gravy Safely Sit Out Before It Spoils?

Sausage gravy is a popular Southern breakfast staple. People often put a lot of the rich, savory gravy on top of fluffy biscuits for a filling breakfast.

However, like any dish made with perishable ingredients, sausage gravy comes with some food safety considerations Knowing how long sausage gravy can sit out before spoiling is important to avoid foodborne illness.

This complete guide will tell you everything you need to know about how long sausage gravy lasts, how to store it, and how to heat it up. Let’s explore how long this delicious gravy stays fresh and safe to eat.

What is the Shelf Life of Sausage Gravy at Room Temperature?

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), cooked foods containing meat or dairy left out at room temperature are only safe to consume for up to 2 hours.

This 2 hour window includes time spent sitting out during prep, cooking, serving and eating.

So sausage gravy should never sit out on the counter, table or stove for longer than 2 total hours before refrigeration. If the temperature is above 90°F, this safe time is reduced to just 1 hour.

After sitting out too long, bacteria in the gravy can multiply to dangerous levels that could cause food poisoning. Even reheating won’t kill all bacteria So sticking to the 2 hour rule is critical with sausage gravy.

What Factors Affect How Long Sausage Gravy Lasts?

Several key factors impact how long sausage gravy stays fresh and safe to eat:

• Ingredient freshness – Using expired, old or contaminated ingredients shortens shelf life.

• Storage temperature – Room temperature accelerates spoilage. Refrigerate below 40°F.

• Storage container – Air-tight lids prevent contamination. Don’t reuse old containers.

• Prep hygiene – Wash hands, utensils and surfaces before and after prep.

• Gravy ingredients – Dairy products spoil faster than other ingredients.

• Cooked vs. uncooked – Raw ingredients spoil faster. Cooked gravy lasts longer.

• Reheating – Repeated reheating speeds up spoilage. Only reheat once.

Following food safety best practices helps maximize sausage gravy’s shelf life after cooking.

How Can You Tell if Sausage Gravy is Bad? Signs of Spoilage

Watch for these common signs that sausage gravy has spoiled and is unsafe to eat:

• Change in texture – Gravy is slimy, sticky or moldy

• Unusual odors – Smells sour, rancid or unpleasant

• Change in color – Unnatural or dull-looking colors appear

• Weird flavor – Strange, bitter or unpleasant tastes

• Past expiration date – Gravy is beyond suggested fridge/freezer times

• Doubt – When in doubt, throw it out! Don’t risk getting sick.

If sausage gravy displays any of these signs, discard it right away even if within suggested shelf life. Don’t taste food that might be unsafe.

What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Sausage Gravy?

To maximize leftover sausage gravy’s shelf life, proper storage is a must. Here are some tips:

• Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.

• Store in airtight, non-reactive glass or plastic containers. Never reuse old containers.

• Fill containers to rim to prevent excess air exposure. Cover surface with plastic wrap.

• Label containers with prep date and use within 3-4 days.

• For longer storage, freeze gravy for 2-3 months.

• When reheating, heat thoroughly until 165°F internally. Only reheat once.

Proper refrigeration and freezing keeps sausage gravy fresh and delays spoilage caused by bacteria growth.

Can You Safely Reheat Leftover Sausage Gravy?

Yes, leftover sausage gravy can be safely reheated and eaten – but only if it was properly stored and shows no signs of spoilage.

Follow these tips for safely reheating sausage gravy:

• Only reheat once. Repeated reheating increases spoilage risk.

• Heat thoroughly to 165°F. Use a cooking thermometer to verify.

• Bring gravy to a rolling boil when reheating on the stovetop.

• Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching or sticking.

• Add a bit of milk or cream if gravy seems too thick after reheating.

• Discard any gravy that smells, tastes or looks bad after reheating. Don’t take risks.

Reheating leftover gravy thoroughly kills any bacteria that may have grown during storage. But don’t rely on reheating unsafe gravy. Only reheat gravy stored properly within suggested time limits.

Can You Safely Freeze and Thaw Sausage Gravy?

Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of leftover sausage gravy. Follow these safe freezing guidelines:

• Cool gravy rapidly to room temperature before freezing.

• Package gravy in airtight freezer bags or containers, leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace.

• Freeze immediately at 0°F or below. Place in back of freezer where temperature is coldest.

• Label package with date and contents. Use within 2-3 months for best quality.

• Thaw frozen gravy slowly in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

• Don’t refreeze thawed gravy. Reheat fully to 165°F and consume immediately.

With proper freezing techniques, sausage gravy keeps safely for 2-3 months while maintaining its flavor and texture.

Sausage Gravy Safety Tips

Keep these additional food safety tips in mind when preparing, storing and serving sausage gravy:

• Refrigerate gravy within 2 hours of cooking, or 1 hour if above 90°F.

• Never leave gravy at room temperature longer than 2 hours total, including meal prep and eating time.

• Always use clean utensils and cooking surfaces. Avoid cross-contamination.

• Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling raw meat and dairy.

• Cook gravy thoroughly until bubbling and 165°F. Stir constantly to prevent scorching.

• Verify doneness with a food thermometer. Appearance alone doesn’t indicate safety.

• When reheating, heat thoroughly again to 165°F. Bring to a rolling boil.

• Don’t let reheated gravy sit out. Refrigerate leftovers immediately in shallow airtight containers.

Following basic food safety guidelines keeps your gravy safe and reduces the risk of foodborne pathogens that could cause illness.

Common Food Safety Mistakes to Avoid

It’s also important to avoid these common sausage gravy safety mistakes:

• Leaving gravy out too long at room temperature

• Letting gravy cool before refrigerating

• Using old, dirty containers to store gravy

• Reheating gravy more than once

• Not reheating thoroughly to 165°F

• Adding fresh ingredients to leftover gravy

• Tasting or eating gravy that smells or looks spoiled

• Saving gravy beyond recommended fridge/freezer times

• Thawing frozen gravy at room temperature

• Refreezing thawed gravy

These slip-ups raise the risk of bacteria growth in gravy that could cause foodborne illness. Stick to food safety fundamentals when prepping, storing and reheating.

The Bottom Line

Sausage gravy should never sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours before refrigerating, or 1 hour if above 90°F. Cooked gravy can be stored safely for 3-4 days in the fridge or 2-3 months in the freezer. Always reheat thoroughly to 165°F and do not leave reheated gravy out.

Following basic food safety guidelines for handling, storing and reheating helps keep leftover sausage gravy fresh and safe to enjoy again. With proper care, you can savor delicious sausage gravy safely for days to come.