How Long Is Bob Evans Sausage Good For? The Ultimate Guide

As a big fan of Bob Evans sausage, I often find myself checking the expiration dates on packages in my fridge to make sure they’re still good. After all, there’s nothing worse than accidentally eating spoiled sausage!

Recently, Bob Evans did have a recall on some of their Italian sausage due to potential rubber contamination. Thankfully my packages weren’t affected, but it made me wonder – just how long is Bob Evans sausage actually good for?

In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about the shelf life and proper storage of Bob Evans sausage products I’ll also go over some tips for using up leftovers, so no good sausage goes to waste. Let’s dive in!

How Long Does Bob Evans Sausage Last?

According to the Bob Evans website, their sausage products should be consumed or frozen by the “USE/FRZ BY” date printed on the package. This date is usually about a year from the purchase date.

However, it’s important to note that this date refers to peak quality rather than safety. The sausage may still be safe to eat for a short period after the “USE/FRZ BY” date, but the flavor and texture quality will start to decline

To get the longest shelf life and the best taste out of Bob Evans sausage, it’s best to follow their recommended freezer guidelines:

• Unopened packages: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light or heat.

• Once opened: Use within 3-4 days and keep refrigerated at 40°F or below.

• For longer storage: Freeze sausage tightly wrapped in plastic or foil before the “USE/FRZ BY” date. Label with the freeze date.

Properly stored, frozen Bob Evans sausage can maintain quality for up to 1 year past the printed date.

Details on the Recent Italian Sausage Recall

In September 2022, there was a recall of around 7,560 pounds of Bob Evans Italian pork sausage products. This was triggered by customer complaints about finding thin blue rubber pieces in the sausage.

The recall only affected sausage made on September 8, 2022 with a specific “USE/FRZ BY” date of November 26, 2022 and time stamps between 14:43 and 15:25. Products involved in the recall have the establishment number “EST. 6785” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

If you purchased any of the recalled sausage packages, the USDA recommends throwing them away or returning them to the place of purchase. There have been no confirmed illnesses from consuming the affected products, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to foreign material contaminations like rubber.

Understanding Expiration Date Terminology

The expiration dates printed on Bob Evans sausage packages are labeled as “USE/FRZ BY” dates. This terminology refers to the timeframe for best quality rather than an actual safety expiration date.

Here are some key things to know about “USE/FRZ BY” dates:

• They indicate the last date recommended for peak freshness and flavor quality. The sausage may still be safe to eat for a short time beyond this date if it has been stored properly.

• They refer to the shelf life of the unopened product rather than how long the sausage takes to spoil once opened.

• For safety and quality, it’s best to use or freeze Bob Evans sausage by the printed “USE/FRZ BY” date. But don’t rely on this date alone if the sausage has been mishandled.

• Once opened, sausage should be used within 3-4 days and kept refrigerated at 40°F or below. Use your eyes and nose to check for spoilage signs after opening.

• The freezer times of 1 year past the printed date are recommended for best quality if sausage is frozen unopened by the “USE/FRZ BY” date.

How To Tell If Bob Evans Sausage Has Gone Bad

Sausage that’s gone bad can make you sick, so it’s important to know the signs of spoilage before eating any questionable sausage. Here are some things to look for:

• Unpleasant odors – Sausage that smells sour, ammonia-like, or generally “off” should be discarded.

• Change in color – Greyish, greenish, or yellowish tinting may indicate spoilage.

• Sliminess – A sticky, tacky, or slimy texture is a definite sign sausage has spoiled.

• Mold – Any fuzzy mold spots, even if isolated, means sausage should be thrown out.

• White or black spots – These discolorations signal microbial growth. Don’t eat any sausage with spots.

• Dryness/crumbly texture – While not dangerous, this indicates diminished flavor and moisture quality.

Trust your senses – if sausage smells, looks, or feels questionable in any way, it’s safest to throw it out and get a fresh package. When in doubt, toss it out!

Tips For Using Leftover Bob Evans Sausage

I love Bob Evans sausage, so I’m always looking for ways to use up leftovers before they spoil. Here are some of my favorite tips:

• Make breakfast sandwiches or burritos by pairing cooked sausage with eggs, cheese, and veggies.

• Use crumbled sausage as a pizza topping along with other toppings like peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc.

• Chop it up to mix into pasta sauces, rice dishes, soups, or stir fries.

• Make stuffed peppers or cabbage rolls filled with cooked sausage and rice or other fillings.

• Wrap halves in crescent roll dough with cheese for easy sausage rolls.

• Fry up with cubed potatoes and veggies for a quick sausage hash.

• Mix with biscuit dough and make savory sausage drop biscuits.

• Use in dips, spreads, omelets, frittatas – sausage works great in many blended dishes!

With a little creativity, it’s easy to use up leftover Bob Evans sausage. Sausage freezes well too, so you can always freeze portions to prevent waste while preserving freshness.

The Takeaway

Bob Evans sausage has a shelf life of up to a year when stored properly, but it’s always best to use or freeze it by the “USE/FRZ BY” date on the package. For safety, know the signs of spoiled sausage and discard any that looks or smells “off.” With proper storage and handling, you can enjoy Bob Evans sausage at peak quality and safety. And with a few simple recipes, you can always put leftovers to delicious use.