Storing bratwurst depends on many factors. Mistakes can easily happen and your bratwurst can spoil. We will help you store your bratwurst correctly with this guide.
Storing Bratwurst - This is how it's done correctly!
Storing Bratwurst - This is how it's done correctly!
Key Takeaways
Bratwurst should always be stored in the refrigerator at 4°C for a maximum of two to four days. Frozen bratwurst can be stored in the freezer at -18°C for three to six months. Vacuum-packed bratwurst can even be stored for up to twelve months. Prepared bratwurst can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Storing Bratwurst - What you need to know
storage in the refrigerator
Contrary to many opinions, you don't necessarily have to eat bratwurst within 2-3 days. The difference is in the details and depends on the type of bratwurst and a number of factors. Make sure that the bratwurst is well packaged, this protects the sausage from drying out and keeps it fresh for a long time. Air and moisture are breeding grounds for mold, so the bratwurst should be stored in a vacuum (if possible). This way you can safely store them for a few days without affecting their shelf life. Important: If you want to keep bratwurst for months, you should first learn more about the variety of bratwurst .
The rule of thumb
As a rule of thumb, when it comes to storing bratwurst in the fridge, it is important to make sure that the sausage is kept in the fridge at a temperature of 4°C. Usually, bratwurst will last about two to four days in the fridge before it goes bad.
If you want to keep the bratwurst for longer, you can freeze it to extend its shelf life. It is important not to interrupt the cold chain for too long, otherwise bacteria will multiply quickly and the sausage will spoil more quickly. So if you have bought bratwurst , take it to the fridge quickly. This is the only way to ensure that the bratwurst stays fresh.
If you want to defrost them again, take them out of the freezer and put them in the fridge overnight. This will ensure that the defrosting process is slow and steady and that the flavors and texture of the bratwurst are preserved.
But how long does bratwurst really last?
raw sausages
Raw sausages will keep for two to four days in the fridge at four degrees Celsius without any problems. It doesn't matter whether they are vacuum packed or wrapped in butcher's paper. So eat them within a few days, as they can go bad quickly. If you can't manage that, you can also freeze them and avoid wasting food.
However, if you have had sausage in the fridge for 5 days, you should not eat it anymore. It will then have expired and will no longer be suitable for consumption.
boiled sausages
Cooked sausages will last up to two weeks if vacuum packed. It is possible to keep them in the fridge for 2-3 days. Another important factor is that you cannot freeze cooked sausages. This will cause them to spoil. So always store them in the fridge and not in the freezer. This is the only way they can stay fresh.
Smoked sausages
Like salami, smoked sausages will last for four weeks in or out of the fridge. If you store them outside the fridge, smoked sausages will just get a little firmer. But because the flavor stays and you can eat them without worry, smoked sausages are a good choice for storage.
There is more on the subject of durability in this video .
The right packaging
The right packaging is an important factor in the shelf life of meat and sausage , especially raw bratwurst . Bratwurst, for example, should be stored in packaging in the refrigerator at 4°C to ensure correct cooling. This will keep the bratwurst in the refrigerator for around two to four days. It doesn't matter whether you vacuum seal raw bratwurst or store it in butcher's paper in the refrigerator. This does not change the shelf life. But: packaging or containers help prevent it from drying out, so you can enjoy it without worry. If you want the bratwurst to last longer, you should store it properly and freeze it. It is important to vacuum seal the bratwurst so that it lasts between three and twelve months.
You can find out more about packaging in this video .
Storing grilled sausages
When you grill, you often have leftover sausages . If you don't want them to spoil quickly, keep the following in mind. One thing in advance: grilled sausages can be stored in the fridge without any problems. The storage temperature should be 4°C. To ensure that they last for a few days, you should wrap the sausages in cling film or vacuum seal them. This way, they won't just last two days in the fridge, but up to a whole week. If you want them to last for several weeks, you can also easily freeze prepared sausages.
Do you want to learn more about grilling? Then watch this video .
Storing Bratwurst - Freezing
That is why it makes sense
Freezing extends the shelf life of the sausage . You probably already know that. But it's just like freezing meat. If you buy fresh meat or sausage from the butcher (which you should always do), go ahead and buy larger quantities. You usually save money and time if you freeze the products. You probably already do that with minced meat . But bratwursts are also designed to be frozen. You can also wrap them in cling film and then put them in the freezer and freeze them. That way you only have to go to the butcher once and you can simply defrost the bratwurst you've bought and use the time you've saved to grill. A tip: have the bratwurst vacuum-packed - that way you can buy it in bulk straight away.
packaging and temperature
The fresh bratwurst should be packed in an airtight freezer bag and labeled before you freeze it. Better yet, you should vacuum seal it so that it is protected from freezer burn. The label serves as a guide for you. Write the date of freezing on the packaging. This way you know exactly how long it has been in the freezer. At a maximum of -18°C in the freezer, the frozen bratwurst usually lasts between three and six months. If it is vacuum sealed, the sausage can even last up to twelve months. It is also important to note that you cannot freeze boiled bratwursts . And you do not need to freeze smoked bratwursts either. It is better to store them in or outside the refrigerator for several weeks.
The difference between raw and prepared
You can also freeze prepared sausages without any problems. It makes no difference whether you have prepared the sausages beforehand or they are still raw. They will also last between three and six months in the freezer at a maximum of -18°C. Just make sure that they are protected from freezer burn. So pack them properly and cool the sausages down quickly after preparation. Remember to put a date on the packaging so that you know when you put them in the freezer.
Do you want to know more about durability? Then we have a video for you here .
FAQ
Bratwurst should always be stored in the refrigerator at 4°C for a maximum of two to four days. Frozen bratwurst can be stored in the freezer at -18°C for three to six months. Vacuum-packed bratwurst can even be stored for up to twelve months. Prepared bratwurst can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Bratwurst should always be stored in the refrigerator at 4°C for a maximum of two to four days. Frozen bratwurst can be stored in the freezer at -18°C for three to six months. Vacuum-packed bratwurst can even be stored for up to twelve months. Prepared bratwurst can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Bratwurst should always be stored in the refrigerator at 4°C for a maximum of two to four days. Frozen bratwurst can be stored in the freezer at -18°C for three to six months. Vacuum-packed bratwurst can even be stored for up to twelve months. Prepared bratwurst can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Bratwurst should always be stored in the refrigerator at 4°C for a maximum of two to four days. Frozen bratwurst can be stored in the freezer at -18°C for three to six months. Vacuum-packed bratwurst can even be stored for up to twelve months. Prepared bratwurst can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Bratwurst should always be stored in the refrigerator at 4°C for a maximum of two to four days. Frozen bratwurst can be stored in the freezer at -18°C for three to six months. Vacuum-packed bratwurst can even be stored for up to twelve months. Prepared bratwurst can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
In the fridge overnight at 4°C. Then the sausages should be taken out of the fridge 30 minutes before preparation to bring them to room temperature.
Conclusion
Storing sausage correctly depends on various factors. First of all, there are many sausages with different characteristics. So it matters which type of sausage you use. Raw and fresh sausages don't last as long as, for example, smoked or boiled ones. It is also important whether the sausages have already been prepared or not. The type of storage also differs. In the refrigerator at 4°C, the sausage will last two to four days. That is at least the rule of thumb. However, this only applies to raw sausages . Grilled sausages last up to a week. Boiled and smoked sausages last considerably longer. If you want the sausage to last as long as possible, you should freeze it. Important: Boiled sausages are not suitable for freezing. Prepared sausages, on the other hand, can be stored in the freezer. The packaging also plays a role. On the one hand, it protects the sausages and on the other hand, it affects their shelf life when frozen. So you can see that storing sausages depends on various factors and there is no general statement that can be made on this topic.
If you need a few more recipes, here is a video.