Maximizing Johnsonville Summer Sausage Freshness: A Complete Guide to Proper Storage

As a renowned sausage brand, Johnsonville is trusted for their quality smoked sausages and innovating new flavors. One of their popular offerings is summer sausage – a cured, fermented sausage designed to last unrefrigerated. But how long does Johnsonville summer sausage actually stay fresh?

With proper storage, summer sausage can retain quality and taste for impressive lengths of time. Follow this guide for tips on maximizing Johnsonville summer sausage shelf life after opening and spotting signs of spoilage.

Overview of Summer Sausage

Summer sausage is a cured, fermented sausage that originated as a way to preserve meat without refrigeration. It involves:

• Curing with nitrites to inhibit bacteria growth
• Smoking for flavor, moisture control, and preservation
• Fermenting with lactic acid cultures to enhance taste and shelf life

This process yields a durable ready-to-eat sausage that resists spoilage. Summer sausage has a tangy flavor and semi-dry texture. It can be kept unrefrigerated due to its low moisture content and water activity.

Popular varieties include beef summer sausage and venison summer sausage Johnsonville offers summer sausage in original and hot & spicy flavors

Refrigerated Storage for Maximum Freshness

Summer sausage is safe to eat at room temperature, but keeping it in the fridge keeps it fresh longer. To maximize Johnsonville summer sausage fridge life:

• Keep sealed in original packaging until opening.
• Store in the main refrigerator compartment, not the door.
• Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Exclude air.
• Avoidintroducing moisture during storage. Blot off any condensation.
• Refrigerate at 40°F or below. The crisper drawer is too humid.

Properly stored, unopened summer sausage lasts 3+ months refrigerated, retaining peak taste and texture. Opened packages keep 3 weeks refrigerated.

Does Freezing Work for Long-Term Storage?

Freezing can significantly prolong freshness past the fridge shelf life. To freeze Johnsonville summer sausage:

• Double wrap in plastic and foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Use freezer bags and exclude excess air.
• Label packages with date and contents.
• Freeze at 0°F or below. Avoid temperature fluctuations.

Unopened Johnsonville summer sausage can be frozen 6-12 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before use. Don’t refreeze thawed sausage.

What’s the Shelf Life at Room Temperature?

Kept sealed in an intact package, summer sausage can be stored 2-3 months at room temperature up to 75°F. Higher heat accelerates spoilage.

Once opened, it’s best to refrigerate or freeze remainder. But properly handled summer sausage stays edible about 1 week unrefrigerated.

If signs of spoilage appear, discard the sausage – don’t rely on cooking to make it safe.

How To Tell If Summer Sausage Has Spoiled

Watch for these indicators that Johnsonville summer sausage has gone bad:

• Mold growth
• Shriveled or mushy texture
• Unnatural or faded color
• Rancid or sour odor
• Sliminess or stickiness
• Off tastes or appearance

When in doubt, throw it out. Consuming spoiled meat can cause foodborne illness. Don’t take chances with meat past its prime.

Safely Enjoying Johnsonville Summer Sausage

Follow these tips for safely savoring summer sausage:

• Discard summer sausage 2 hours after opening if left above 90°F.
• Cook to 160°F internal temperature if reheating sealed sausage.
• Don’t eat raw summer sausage; always cook to well-done.
• Refrigerate opened packages within 1-2 hours; use within 1 week.
• When reheating, heat thoroughly until steaming hot.

Practice basic food safety when handling and eating summer sausages. Cook thoroughly and refrigerate promptly after opening.

Innovative New Johnsonville Sausage Options

Johnsonville not only has their original smoked summer sausage, but they also have some great new sausages, such as

• Chicken apple sausage – Savory chicken sausage with sweet apple flavor. 70% less fat than pork sausage.
• Fully cooked grillers – Mini smoked sausages perfect for the grill or sandwiches.
• Ground chorizo sausage – Zesty Spanish-style crumbles.
• Italian style chicken sausage with spinach and cheese – Bold chicken sausage with spinach and Parmesan.
• Andouille sausage – Smoked Cajun-style pork sausage seasoned with garlic.

Browse all Johnsonville’s sausage products at Johnsonville.com for inspired new meal ideas!

Storing Other Types of Sausage

Here are some general guidelines for maximizing refrigerated sausage shelf life:

• Hard smoked sausage – 2-3 weeks unopened, 1 week opened
• Soft smoked sausage – 1 week unopened, 3-5 days opened
• Fresh sausage – 1 week unopened, cook within 2 days
• Precooked sausage – 2-3 weeks unopened, 5-7 days opened
• Luncheon meat – 2 weeks unopened, 3-5 days opened

Monitor all sausages for signs of spoilage. Discard promptly at any off smells, textures, or appearances.

The Takeaway on Johnsonville Summer Sausage Storage

When stored properly refrigerated, Johnsonville summer sausage stays fresh and flavorful for months past its package date. Keep it sealed in its original packaging until ready to eat. Then promptly refrigerate any leftovers, wrapped tightly to exclude air. Freeze extras for long-term storage.

Follow this complete guide to enjoy Johnsonville summer sausage at peak quality and spot signs of spoilage before consumption. With proper handling, this flavorful sausage can be a convenient ready-to-eat snack all year round.