How long does sausage last?
Sausage keeps for 1 to 2 days in the fridge, up to 1 to 2 months in the freezer. USDA lists 3 kinds of sausage; the first is shown here and all are in the table below.
raw bulk type or patties
No guideline
1 to 2 days
from the package date
1 to 2 months
best quality within
All kinds of sausage, side by side
| Kind | Pantry | Fridge | After opening | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| raw bulk type or patties | no guideline | 1 to 2 days | no guideline | 1 to 2 months |
| fully cooked smoked links, kielbasa | no guideline | 1 week | no guideline | 1 to 2 months |
| hard, dry (pepperoni), sliced | no guideline | 2 to 3 weeks | no guideline | 1 to 2 months |
No guideline: USDA gives no time for that place, usually because the food is not stored that way.
How to tell sausage has gone bad
General signs for meat: smoked or processed, the group USDA lists sausage under.
- Slimy or sticky film on hot dogs or sliced sausage
- Grey or green tinge developing on the surface
- Sour or off smell replacing the usual smoky scent
- Hardened, dried-out edges on bacon left uncovered too long
- Package losing its vacuum seal or ballooning with gas
More on meat: smoked or processed. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
Storage habits that make the difference
Refrigerate opened bacon, ham, sausage and hot dogs in their original packaging or a sealed container, and use within about a week. Freeze anything you will not use in time; vacuum-sealed cuts freeze especially well. Keep these products toward the back of the fridge, where the temperature is steadiest.
More in meat: smoked or processed
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). Times assume a fridge at 40 F (4 C) and a freezer at 0 F (-18 C). How we decode the data.