How long does deer summer sausage last in the fridge? Well, it depends if the package is opened or not. An unopened deer summer sausage package usually lasts for about 3 months in the fridge if it was made to be kept at room temperature before opening. But once you open it, deer summer sausage only stays good in the fridge for about 7 to 10 days. Knowing how to store deer summer sausage the right way helps it last longer and stay safe to eat. This guide tells you about venison summer sausage storage, including unopened and opened summer sausage fridge life, signs of spoiled summer sausage, if you can freeze deer summer sausage, smoked summer sausage storage time, and the best way to store summer sausage so you know how long is summer sausage good for.
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What Is Deer Summer Sausage?
Let’s start with the basics. Deer summer sausage is a type of sausage often made from deer meat, also called venison. People mix the deer meat with other meats like pork or beef. They add spices and flavorings.
It gets its name ‘summer sausage’ because it was a way to make sausage that would not spoil easily in warmer months before people had refrigerators.
Summer sausage is usually cured and fermented. Curing uses salt and other things to help keep it safe. Fermenting makes it a little tangy and helps preserve it.
Many summer sausages are also smoked. Smoking adds flavor. It also helps preserve the sausage more.
Because of curing, fermenting, and sometimes smoking, summer sausage lasts longer than fresh sausage. This is true even before you open the package.
Things That Change How Long Summer Sausage Lasts
Many things affect the deer summer sausage shelf life. It is not the same for every sausage. Here are some main things:
- How it was made: Was it properly cured? Was it smoked? Good making means it lasts longer.
- Packaging: Is it sealed tight? Vacuum-sealed bags keep air out better. This helps it last much longer before opening.
- Storage Temperature: Is it kept cold enough in the fridge? Cold temperatures slow down bad germs.
- If it’s opened or not: Air and germs get to the sausage when it’s opened. This makes it go bad faster.
Knowing these things helps you guess how long your deer summer sausage will stay good.
Unopened Deer Summer Sausage Shelf Life
An unopened package of deer summer sausage can last a long time. How long depends a lot on its packaging and how it was made.
Many kinds of summer sausage are shelf-stable before opening. This means they can sit on a store shelf at room temperature for months. They are made this way using curing and drying.
If your deer summer sausage says it is shelf-stable, you can keep it in your pantry until you open it. Check the package for words like “shelf-stable” or “refrigerate after opening.”
Once you decide to use it, you should put it in the fridge.
What about unopened sausage that is not shelf-stable? Some homemade or special kinds might need to be in the fridge all the time. If the package says “keep refrigerated,” then you must keep it in the fridge.
In the fridge, an unopened, non-shelf-stable deer summer sausage can last for a few weeks up to about 3 months.
Look at the date on the package. It might say “Best By” or “Use By.” This date tells you when the maker thinks it will taste best or be best quality. It is not usually a date when it becomes unsafe right away.
Appreciating ‘Best By’ Dates
A “Best By” date is about quality. The sausage might still be safe after this date. But it might not taste as good. The flavor might be weaker. The texture might change a bit.
A “Use By” date is more about safety. It is better to eat the sausage before this date.
For unopened deer summer sausage, especially shelf-stable kinds, the “Best By” date is a good guide for how long it will stay in top shape.
If the unopened sausage is vacuum-sealed, it keeps air out very well. This helps it last even longer before opening. Maybe up to 6 months in the fridge if it was meant to be refrigerated. Always check the package instructions.
Table: Unopened Deer Summer Sausage Storage
| Sausage Type (Unopened) | Where to Store Before Opening? | How Long Does It Last? (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelf-Stable (Vacuum-Sealed) | Pantry (Room Temp) | Up to 6 months (check ‘Best By’) | Move to fridge after opening. |
| Shelf-Stable (Not Vacuum-Seal) | Pantry (Room Temp) | Up to 3-6 months (check ‘Best By’) | Seal well after opening, keep in fridge. |
| Needs Refrigeration (Sealed) | Fridge (40°F or below) | Up to 3 months (check ‘Best By’) | Always keep cold. |
| Homemade (Unopened) | Fridge (40°F or below) | 1-3 weeks | Can vary based on how it was made. |
These times are just guides. Always check the package for the maker’s advice.
Opened Summer Sausage Fridge Life
This is where things change a lot. Once you cut open or unseal the deer summer sausage, air and tiny living things (like bacteria) can get to it. This makes it spoil faster.
The typical opened summer sausage fridge life is much shorter than when it’s unopened.
Most sources agree that once opened, deer summer sausage is best eaten within 7 to 10 days. Some say up to 2 weeks if you store it very well.
Why so short? Even in the cold fridge, bacteria can still grow. The air makes the surface dry out. It can also lead to mold.
To get the most time out of your opened sausage, you need to store it right. This is a key part of venison summer sausage storage.
Best Ways To Store Summer Sausage After Opening
How you store opened deer summer sausage matters a lot. Good storage helps it stay good for that 7-10 days, maybe a little longer.
Here is the best way to store summer sausage once it’s opened:
- Wrap it Tightly: Do not just put the cut end back in the bag. Wrap the leftover sausage piece snugly. You can use plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or special food storage paper. Make sure the cut end is fully covered.
- Put it in a Container: After wrapping, put the wrapped sausage in a clean, airtight container. A plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or a zip-top bag works well. Push out as much air as you can from the zip-top bag.
- Keep it Cold: Put the wrapped and contained sausage back in the fridge right away. The fridge must be kept at 40°F (4°C) or colder. Use a fridge thermometer to check. This is very important for food safety.
- Store Away from Raw Meat: Keep cooked or ready-to-eat foods like summer sausage away from raw meats to stop germs from spreading.
Following these steps helps limit air contact and keeps the sausage from drying out. It also helps stop bad smells or flavors from other foods in the fridge from getting into the sausage.
This proper storage gives you the best chance to reach that 7-10 day mark for your opened summer sausage fridge life.
Deciphering Signs of Spoiled Summer Sausage
It is very important to know when deer summer sausage is no longer safe to eat. Eating spoiled sausage can make you sick.
You can check for signs of spoiled summer sausage using your eyes, nose, and touch.
Here are things to look for:
- Bad Smell: Fresh summer sausage has a pleasant, sometimes tangy or smoky smell. If it smells sour, like rotten eggs, or just plain bad, it is likely spoiled. Trust your nose! This is often the first sign.
- Changes in Color: Good summer sausage is usually reddish-pink or brown inside, maybe darker on the outside from smoking. If you see a dull, grey, or greenish color, especially on the cut surface, it is a bad sign. Mold is also a sign. It can be fuzzy and white, green, or black. Some sausages have a white coating called bloom (which is okay), but fuzzy mold is different.
- Slimy Feel: The surface of good summer sausage is usually firm and maybe a little oily. If it feels slimy or sticky, that means bacteria are growing too much.
- Taste (Use Caution!): If the smell and look seem okay, you might try a very tiny piece. If it tastes wrong – maybe very sour or bitter – do not eat any more. But it is safer to rely on smell and look first.
If you see any of these signs, or if the sausage has been in the fridge for longer than the safe time (more than 10-14 days opened), it is best to throw it away. Do not try to cut off the bad part and eat the rest. Harmful bacteria might be in parts you cannot see.
When in doubt, throw it out. This is the safest rule for any food, including deer summer sausage.
Can You Freeze Deer Summer Sausage?
Yes, you absolutely can freeze deer summer sausage. Freezing is a great way to make it last much, much longer. This is especially helpful if you have a large amount or know you will not eat it within the fridge time limit.
Freezing stops bacteria from growing. It keeps the sausage safe. However, freezing can sometimes change the quality a little. The texture might be slightly different after thawing. But it will still be safe to eat.
Freezing is a key part of long-term venison summer sausage storage.
How to Freeze Deer Summer Sausage
To freeze summer sausage the right way, follow these steps:
- Cool it Down: If it was just made or left out, make sure it is cool first. Do not freeze warm food.
- Wrap it Well: This is very important. You need to protect the sausage from freezer burn. Freezer burn happens when air touches the food in the freezer. It makes dry, discolored spots.
- Wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap first. Make sure there are no gaps.
- Then, add another layer. You can use aluminum foil designed for freezing or freezer paper. Wrap it tightly again.
- Or, after the plastic wrap, put it into a freezer-safe bag (like a zip-top freezer bag). Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Vacuum sealing is the best option if you have a vacuum sealer. It removes almost all the air. This protects the sausage from freezer burn the best.
- Label and Date: Write what is in the package (like “Deer Summer Sausage”) and the date you put it in the freezer. This helps you know how old it is later.
- Freeze Flat: Place the wrapped sausage pieces flat in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Then you can stack them to save space.
Freezing in smaller pieces is often smart. You can take out just what you need later. Once thawed, you cannot refreeze it safely.
Smoked Summer Sausage Storage Time in the Freezer
How long does frozen deer summer sausage last? When frozen correctly at 0°F (-18°C) or colder, deer summer sausage stays safe to eat almost forever.
However, for the best quality – taste and texture – it is best to use frozen summer sausage within about 6 to 9 months.
After this time, it is still safe. But it might start to get freezer burn even with good wrapping. The flavor might not be as strong or as good.
So, while technically safe for a very long time, aim to use your frozen smoked summer sausage within 6-9 months for the best eating experience.
How to Thaw Frozen Summer Sausage
When you want to eat frozen summer sausage, thaw it safely. The best and safest way is in the refrigerator.
- Move to Fridge: Take the wrapped sausage from the freezer and put it on a plate or in a container in the fridge. This catches any drips as it thaws.
- Allow Time: Let it thaw slowly in the fridge. A small piece might take a day. A large, thick piece might take 24-48 hours.
- Keep it Cold: Once thawed, keep it in the fridge. Use it within 7-10 days, just like opened summer sausage.
Do not thaw summer sausage on the kitchen counter. This lets the outside get warm while the inside is still frozen. This is a danger zone where bacteria can grow quickly.
You can also thaw summer sausage in cold water if it is in a sealed, leak-proof bag. Change the water every 30 minutes. Cook it right away after thawing this way.
Microwave thawing is not recommended for sausage you plan to slice and eat cold. It can cook parts of it unevenly.
Venison Summer Sausage Storage Summary
Putting it all together, here is a quick look at venison summer sausage storage and how long is summer sausage good for:
- Unopened (Shelf-Stable): Can stay in the pantry at room temp until the ‘Best By’ date (often many months). Move to fridge after opening.
- Unopened (Needs Fridge): Keep in the fridge until the ‘Best By’ date (up to 3 months, maybe longer if vacuum-sealed).
- Opened: Once cut, store wrapped and in an airtight container in the fridge. Use within 7 to 10 days.
- Frozen: Wrap very well to stop freezer burn. Store at 0°F (-18°C). Best quality is within 6-9 months, but it stays safe much longer. Thaw in the fridge.
These times are based on proper handling and storage. If the sausage sits out at room temperature for more than two hours (or one hour if it’s hot, above 90°F), it might not be safe anymore, even if it was unopened shelf-stable sausage that is now opened. The fridge is your friend for opened sausage.
Grasping Why Storage Matters
Proper storage is not just about making your deer summer sausage last a long time so you don’t waste food. It’s mainly about keeping it safe to eat.
Bacteria that can make you sick (like Listeria or Salmonella) can grow on food, even in the fridge, though slower. Time and temperature are big factors in how much they grow.
Keeping the sausage cold (at 40°F or lower) slows down most harmful bacteria a lot. This is why the fridge is key for opened sausage.
Keeping air away (with good wrapping or vacuum sealing) helps stop spoilage bacteria that make food look, smell, and taste bad. It also prevents drying and freezer burn.
Following the storage tips for your deer summer sausage shelf life helps make sure every slice you eat is safe and tastes its best.
Different Types of Summer Sausage
While we are talking about deer summer sausage, many of these rules apply to other types of summer sausage too, like all-beef or pork summer sausage.
Homemade summer sausage might have shorter shelf lives than store-bought ones. This is because they might not use the same strong curing methods or packaging. If you make your own, be extra careful with storage times. Plan to eat homemade sausage faster or freeze it. Homemade unopened sausage kept in the fridge is usually best used within 1-3 weeks.
Smoked summer sausage might have a slightly longer shelf life than non-smoked ones due to the smoking process. But once opened, the 7-10 day fridge rule is still a good one to follow for safety.
Checking Quality and Safety
Each time you get out your opened deer summer sausage, give it a quick check. Look at the cut end. Does it still look fresh? Give it a sniff. Does it smell right?
If you are unsure about the signs of spoiled summer sausage, it is always best to be safe. When you are debating if it is still good, it is probably time to say goodbye to it.
Don’t take chances with food safety. Stomach problems from bad food are not worth it.
Remember that even if the sausage looks and smells okay, harmful bacteria could be growing without showing clear signs, especially if it has been stored too long or at wrong temperatures. That’s why following the recommended storage times is important.
Final Thoughts on Deer Summer Sausage Shelf Life
Deer summer sausage is a tasty snack or addition to a meal. Knowing how long it lasts helps you enjoy it safely.
Unopened, it can last for months, especially if shelf-stable or vacuum-sealed and kept cold.
Once opened, the clock starts ticking. Aim to use it within 7 to 10 days when stored properly in the fridge.
Venison summer sausage storage is simple: keep it cold once opened, wrap it well, and watch for signs it is going bad.
Freezing is an excellent option for longer storage, keeping the sausage safe for many months. Just make sure to wrap it well to prevent freezer burn.
By paying attention to packaging, dates, and storage methods, you can make sure your deer summer sausage shelf life is as long and safe as possible. Enjoy every slice!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
h4 How long does unopened deer summer sausage last at room temperature?
If the deer summer sausage is labeled “shelf-stable,” it can last at room temperature (like in your pantry) until the “Best By” date on the package, often several months. If it says “Keep Refrigerated,” it must be stored in the fridge and will only last a couple of hours at room temperature.
h4 Can I leave deer summer sausage out all day for a party?
No. Once opened, deer summer sausage should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours total. If the room is very warm (above 90°F), do not leave it out for more than one hour. Put it back in the fridge quickly.
h4 What is the white stuff on the outside of summer sausage?
Sometimes, a white coating called “bloom” appears on the outside of cured sausages like summer sausage. This is usually harmless and can be wiped off. It’s a type of crystal or yeast that forms during the aging process. However, if the white stuff is fuzzy or looks like mold and spreads quickly, it is likely bad mold, and you should not eat the sausage.
h4 How can I tell if my frozen summer sausage has freezer burn?
Freezer burn looks like dry, discolored spots, often greyish or brownish, on the surface of the sausage. It happens when air reaches the food and dries it out. Freezer-burned sausage is still safe to eat, but the quality (taste and texture) will be lower in those spots. Proper wrapping helps prevent this.
h4 Is vacuum sealing necessary for storing opened summer sausage in the fridge?
Vacuum sealing is one of the best ways to store opened summer sausage because it removes almost all the air. This helps it stay fresher longer within the 7-10 day window. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and putting it in an airtight container or zip-top bag works well too, but try to remove as much air as possible.
h4 Can I eat deer summer sausage after the ‘Best By’ date?
For unopened, shelf-stable deer summer sausage, the “Best By” date is mostly about quality. It might be safe to eat shortly after the date if stored correctly, but the taste or texture might not be as good. For opened sausage, the 7-10 day rule after opening is more important for safety than the ‘Best By’ date on the original package. If you see any signs of spoilage, throw it out no matter the date.