How long does sausage last?
Quick answer
Sausage (raw bulk type or patties) keeps 1-2 days in the fridge and 1-2 months in the freezer.
- Raw bulk type or patties 1-2 days in the fridge · 1-2 months in the freezer
- Hard/dry, whole, unopened indefinitely in the fridge
- Fully cooked smoked links, kielbasa 1 week in the fridge · 1-2 months in the freezer
Fridge
From purchase
1-2days
Freezer
Can be frozen: yes
1-2months
Pantry
No known time
-
Mine has been in the fridge for
Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?
- United States
- Yes
- United Kingdom
- Only after cooking
How long does sausage last in the fridge?
- Raw bulk type or patties1-2 daysFrom purchase
- Fully cooked smoked links, kielbasa1 weekFrom purchase
- Hard, dry (pepperoni), sliced2-3 weeksFrom purchase
- Sausages, uncooked1-2 days
- Sausages, precooked3-4 daysFrom purchase
- Hard/dry, whole, unopenedindefinitely
- Smoked breakfast links, patties7 days
- Summer sausage (semi-dry), opened2-3 weeksAfter opening
- Summer sausage (semi-dry), unopened3 months
Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.
Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.
How long does sausage last in the freezer?
- Raw bulk type or patties1-2 months
- Fully cooked smoked links, kielbasa1-2 months
- Hard, dry (pepperoni), sliced1-2 months
- Sausages, uncooked1-2 months
- Sausages, precooked1-2 months
- Fresh sausage, after cooking2-3 months
- Purchased frozen1-2 months
- Hard/dry, whole1-2 months
- Summer sausage (semi-dry)1-2 months
- General guidance1-2 months
Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Your freezer should be around -18°C
A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.
Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.
Can you freeze sausage?
Yes.
How to defrost sausage safely
- In the fridge
- In cold water, cook it straight after defrosting
- In the microwave, cook it straight after defrosting
- Cook it from frozen
You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm
It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.
It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.
Can you refreeze sausage?
- In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
- In the United StatesYes
You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that
Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.
Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.
After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.
Can sausage be kept out of the fridge?
- Hard/dry, whole6 weeks
- Hard/dry, whole, unopened6 weeks
All forms at a glance
| Form | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw bulk type or patties | 1-2 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Raw bulk type or patties, opened | - | - | - |
| Fully cooked smoked links, kielbasa | 1 week | 1-2 months | - |
| Fully cooked smoked links, kielbasa, opened | - | - | - |
| Hard, dry (pepperoni), sliced | 2-3 weeks | 1-2 months | - |
| Sausages, uncooked | 1-2 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Sausages, precooked | 3-4 days | 1-2 months | - |
| Fresh sausage, after cooking | - | 2-3 months | - |
| Fresh sausage, after cooking, opened | - | - | - |
| Purchased frozen | - | 1-2 months | - |
| Hard/dry, whole | - | 1-2 months | 6 weeks |
| Hard/dry, whole, opened | - | - | - |
| Hard/dry, whole, unopened | indefinitely | - | 6 weeks |
| Smoked breakfast links, patties | 7 days | - | - |
| Summer sausage (semi-dry) | - | 1-2 months | - |
| Summer sausage (semi-dry), opened | 2-3 weeks | - | - |
| Summer sausage (semi-dry), unopened | 3 months | - | - |
| General guidance | - | 1-2 months | - |
What the official sources say
“Sausage, raw from meat or poultry 1-2 days”
“Sausage, raw, from chicken, turkey, pork, or beef 1 to 2 days 1 to 2 months”
“Sausage, raw 1-2 days 1-2 months”
“Bacon and sausage Sausage, raw - from chicken, turkey, pork, beef 1-2 days 1-2 months”
Frequently asked questions
How long does sausage last in the fridge?
Raw bulk type or patties: 1-2 days; Fully cooked smoked links, kielbasa: 1 week; Hard, dry (pepperoni), sliced: 2-3 weeks; Sausages, uncooked: 1-2 days.
How long does sausage last in the freezer?
Raw bulk type or patties: 1-2 months; Fully cooked smoked links, kielbasa: 1-2 months; Hard, dry (pepperoni), sliced: 1-2 months; Sausages, uncooked: 1-2 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Can you freeze sausage?
Yes.
Can you refreeze sausage?
In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.
Good to know
Other figures given by the sources for close variants:
- Fresh Sausage, Uncooked Fridge 1-2 days
- Hot Dogs and Other Cooked Sausage Fridge 2 weeks Freezer 1-2 months
- Hot Dogs and Other Cooked Sausage Fridge 7 days
- Fresh Sausage, After Cooking by Consumer Fridge 3-4 days
- Bacon and sausage, Sausage, purchased frozen Fridge 3-4 days Freezer 1-2 months
- Hard/Dry Sausage Fridge 3 weeks
- Bacon and Sausage: Summer sausage labeled "Keep Refrigerated" Fridge 3 weeks
- Summer Sausage (Semi-dry) Fridge 3 weeks
Sources
We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last checked: 1 October 2026.
- FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart US
- Food Standards Agency - consumer food hygiene guidance GB
- Kansas State University Research and Extension US
- University of Illinois Extension US
- Penn State Extension US
- University of Minnesota Extension US
- University of Georgia Extension US
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension US
- North Dakota State University Extension US
- Ohio State University Extension US
- University of Kentucky Extension US
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech) US
- Oregon State University Extension US
- USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data US
- USDA FSIS Safe Food Handling and Preparation US
Values we do not display (9)
Values below were set aside: unconfirmed by a second independent source, or contradicted by a shorter time.
- Fresh sausage, after cooking, opened, fridge: 3-4 days (fsis.usda.gov, not confirmed by a second source)
- Fully cooked smoked links, kielbasa, opened, fridge: 7 days (fsis.usda.gov, a source gives a shorter time)
- Hard/dry, whole, opened, fridge: 3 weeks (fsis.usda.gov, a source gives a shorter time)
- Purchased frozen, fridge: 3-4 days (foodsafety.gov, not confirmed by a second source)
- Raw bulk type or patties, opened, fridge: 1-2 days (fsis.usda.gov, not confirmed by a second source)
- Sausages, precooked, fridge: 5-7 days (asi.k-state.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
- Sausages, precooked, fridge: 5-7 days (fcs.uga.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
- Sausages, precooked, fridge: 1 week (food.unl.edu, a source gives a shorter time)
- Sausages, uncooked, fridge: 3-4 days (fsis.usda.gov, a source gives a shorter time)