Can You Eat Cold Sausage? Everything You Need To Know

Eating cold sausage may not sound appetizing to some, but it’s actually perfectly safe In this article, we’ll cover whether you can eat sausage cold, food safety concerns, how to properly store sausage, and some serving ideas to make cold sausage more palatable

Is It Safe To Eat Sausage Cold?

The short answer is yes, pre-cooked sausages are safe to consume cold Sausages that you purchase at the grocery store like breakfast sausages, bratwursts, kielbasas, etc are fully cooked during manufacturing. This kills any harmful bacteria that could cause foodborne illness. As long as you have properly stored the sausages after opening, it is safe to eat them straight from the fridge without reheating.

Some people may find cold sausages unappetizing, as the texture and flavors are less pronounced when chilled. But refrigerating cooked sausages poses no safety risks. The sausages may simply taste better warmed up.

Proper Storage Of Sausages

To keep sausages safe for consumption, you need to store them correctly:

• Keep refrigerated – Always store opened packages of pre-cooked sausages in the refrigerator. The cold temperatures inhibit bacterial growth.

• Use within 1-2 weeks – For best quality, eat refrigerated sausages within 1-2 weeks of opening. The textures and flavors will deteriorate over time.

• Check for spoilage – Look for signs of spoilage before eating like off-smells, sliminess, or mold. Discard any spoiled sausages.

As long as you follow refrigeration times and check for spoilage, sausages can be safely eaten cold right out of the fridge.

Food Poisoning Concerns

Eating spoiled, undercooked, or contaminated sausages can lead to foodborne illness. Here are some key food safety points regarding sausages:

• Don’t eat undercooked sausages – Only eat sausages that have been fully cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F to kill harmful bacteria. Consuming raw or undercooked sausage risks food poisoning.

• Avoid cross-contamination – Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked sausages to prevent cross-contamination of bacteria. Always wash hands after handling raw meats.

• Check for signs of spoilage – Don’t eat sausages that have an off smell, slimy texture, or mold. Discard these, as they can contain dangerous bacteria.

• Refrigerate promptly – Refrigerate sausages within 2 hours of cooking. Leaving them out too long gives bacteria time to multiply.

Following basic food safety practices will keep pre-cooked sausages safe to enjoy cold.

Tips For Making Cold Sausage More Appetizing

If you find the flavor and texture of refrigerated sausage unappealing, here are some serving suggestions:

• Add to a sandwich or wrap – Cut up chilled sausage to add into sandwiches, subs, breakfast wraps, etc. The other ingredients will make it more palatable.

• Chop up in salads or bowls – Diced cold sausage can be mixed into grain bowls, pasta salads, leafy green salads, and more to amp up protein.

• Pair with condiments – Mustard, ketchup, relish, sauerkraut, and other toppings will boost the flavor of plain cold sausage.

• Cook into casseroles or soups – Incorporate chopped up cold sausage into casserole bakes, pasta bakes, soups, and chilis. The cooking will improve the texture.

• Quickly pan-fry – You can briefly pan-fry cold sausage to warm it up and make it more appetizing before eating. Just 2-3 minutes per side.

With a little creativity, you can transform cold sausage from the fridge into a delicious meal or snack. Pre-cooked sausages are perfectly safe to enjoy chilled. Just focus on proper storage and use-by times. The options are endless for incorporating cold sausage into recipes and meals!