Shelf Life Tips
- How long does a package of unopened dry summer sausage last? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - store unopened dry summer sausage in a cool, dry area.
-
How long does unopened dry summer sausage last at room temperature? Properly stored, a package of unopened dry summer sausage will generally stay at best quality for about 1 month at room temperature.
-
Is unopened dry summer sausage safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it is properly stored, the package is undamaged, and there is no sign of spoilage (see below) - commercially packaged summer sausage will typically carry a " Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the summer sausage will remain at peak quality.
-
Can you keep unopened dry summer sausage in the fridge or freezer? Yes, to further extend the shelf life of summer sausage, refrigerate or freeze it; wrap the summer sausage with airtight heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap or place the summer sausage inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.
-
How long does unopened dry summer sausage last in the fridge? Unopened dry summer sausage will maintain best quality for about 6 months in the refrigerator.
-
How long does unopened dry summer sausage last in the freezer? Properly stored, unopened dry summer sausage will maintain best quality for about 10 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
-
The freezer time shown is for best quality only — unopened dry summer sausage that has been kept constantly frozen at 0° F will keep safe indefinitely.
-
How can you tell if unopened dry summer sausage is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the unopened dry summer sausage: if the unopened dry summer sausage develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
About Our Authors
Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
