Can I Refreeze Sausage? A Complete Guide to Safely Refreezing Sausages

Sausages are a kitchen staple in many homes. Whether raw or already cooked, having a supply of quality sausages in the freezer can be convenient for whipping up quick meals. But what if you defrosted more sausages than you needed, or have leftover cooked sausages? It’s common to wonder – can I refreeze sausage after thawing or cooking?

The good news is that properly handled sausages can usually be safely refrozen, both raw and cooked. However, there are some guidelines to follow for best quality and food safety.

Read on for a complete guide to refreezing sausages, including raw, cooked, and different types of sausage.

Can You Refreeze Raw Sausage After Thawing?

Refreezing raw sausage that has been defrosted is possible, with a few caveats:

• Defrost using refrigerator thawing – no room temp thawing.
• Handle thawed raw sausage carefully at fridge temps.
• Cook within 1-2 days then refreeze or refreeze immediately.
• Refreeze right away in airtight packaging.
• May lose some texture/moisture when refrozen.
• Only refreeze once.

As long as the raw sausage stayed chilled during thawing and has not been left to linger for too long after defrosting, it can safely be refrozen. For best results, cook before refreezing.

Tips for Safely Refreezing Raw Sausage

Follow these tips for safe handling and refreezing of raw defrosted sausage:

• Thaw in fridge – Slow thawing in the refrigerator keeps raw sausage at safe temps. Don’t thaw on counter.

• Seal airtight – Once thawed, keep sausage sealed in airtight packaging until ready to refreeze.

• Refreeze quickly – Refreeze thawed sausage within 1-2 days for best quality and safety.

• Portion before refreezing – Separate into smaller portions so you only thaw what you need later.

• Cook before refreezing – Cooking sausage first helps preserve texture and moisture better.

• Freeze immediately after cooking – Don’t let cooked sausage linger at room temp before freezing.

• Label and date – Note the refreeze date so you know maximum storage time.

• Only refreeze once – Quality and texture decline with multiple thaw-refreeze cycles.

Following these safe sausage handling tips will allow you to safely refreeze raw sausage after thawing.

Can You Refreeze Cooked Sausage?

Refreezing cooked sausages is an excellent way to preserve leftover cooked sausage or enjoy the convenience of ready-to-eat sausages anytime. Here are some tips for doing it right:

• Allow sausage to cool completely first before freezing.
• Package sausages in an airtight freezer bag or container.
• Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
• Label package with contents and freeze date.
• Freeze cooked sausages for up to 1-3 months for best quality.
• Thaw refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.

Cooking sausages before freezing helps retain moisture and texture much better than refreezing raw sausage. The cooked sausage also only requires quick reheating before enjoying later.

What About Refreezing Specific Types of Sausage?

Many people also wonder about refreezing certain popular types of sausage, such as:

Italian sausage

Yes, you can refreeze raw or cooked Italian sausage using the same methods described. Defrost raw Italian sausage carefully in the fridge before refreezing.

Smoked sausage

Smoked sausages can also be refrozen after proper thawing in the fridge. For food safety, cook before refreezing if thawed completely to room temperature.

Breakfast sausage

Breakfast sausage holds up well to refreezing if thoroughly defrosted in the fridge first. Precooking before refreezing is recommended.

Bratwurst

Bratwurst and other fresh sausages require more care when refreezing after thawing, as they are more delicate. Refreeze immediately after fridge thawing.

Sausage rolls

Sausage roll dough may suffer in texture if thawed then refrozen. For best results, cook sausage rolls straight from frozen.

Key Rules for Refreezing Sausage Safely

Keep these important guidelines in mind whenever refreezing sausages:

• Refreeze only once – quality declines with multiple freezings.

• Thaw slowly in the refrigerator, keeping sausage chilled.

• Cook sausage before refreezing if left at room temperature during thawing.

• Cool cooked sausage quickly before freezing.

• Package sausage airtight before returning to freezer.

• Freeze refrozen sausage for no more than 1-3 months for optimal freshness and texture.

• Label clearly with freeze date and use frozen sausage promptly once thawed again.

Following safe freezing and thawing methods allows you to confidently refreeze sausage while retaining top-notch eating quality.

Storing and Reheating Refrozen Sausage

To fully enjoy refrozen sausage after thawing, follow these storage and reheating recommendations:

• Store thawed raw sausage for no more than 1-2 days in the fridge.

• Cook thawed raw sausage to 165°F internal temperature before eating.

• Store thawed cooked sausage for no more than 3-4 days in the fridge.

• Reheat cooked frozen sausage gently in a pan, oven, or microwave until heated through.

Proper thawing, storage, and reheating keeps refrozen sausage safe and delicious to enjoy in all your favorite recipes.

The Bottom Line

Yes, you can refreeze sausage, both raw and cooked, while maintaining safety and quality when following best practices. Always thaw sausages gradually in the fridge, cook sausages thawed to room temperature before refreezing, package airtight, freeze promptly, and only refreeze once. With proper handling, refreezing sausage can help reduce waste and maximize your food savings.