How long raw sausage, hot dogs, salami, and pepperoni keep

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Raw sausage lasts 1 to 2 days in the fridge, and cooked sausage keeps 3 to 4 days. Hot dogs last 2 weeks unopened and 1 week after opening, and sliced pepperoni keeps 2 to 3 weeks.

The storage times here come from USDA FoodKeeper and the USDA’s refrigerator and freezer charts. Most fridge times count from the day you buy the sausage.

How long does sausage last in the fridge?

Raw sausage, bulk or in patties, lasts 1 to 2 days in the fridge. Fully cooked smoked links such as kielbasa last 1 week, and sliced hard, dry sausage such as pepperoni lasts 2 to 3 weeks.

Keep sausage at 40°F (4°C) or below, and cook or freeze raw sausage within its 1 to 2 days. The table lists each kind, with freezer times for best quality from USDA FoodKeeper.

How long is cooked sausage good for in the fridge?

Cooked sausage is good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. USDA FoodKeeper gives that time for uncooked and precooked sausages once they’re cooked, and it matches the USDA time for all cooked meat leftovers.

How long do hot dogs last in the fridge?

Hot dogs last 2 weeks in the fridge in an unopened package, counted from the day you buy them. Once you open the package, they’re good for 1 week.

How long does salami last in the fridge?

Prepackaged deli salami lasts 2 weeks in the fridge from the day you buy it, as long as the package stays closed. Once it’s open, eat it within 3 to 5 days.

How long does pepperoni last in the fridge?

Sliced pepperoni lasts 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge from the day you buy it. USDA FoodKeeper lists it with other sliced hard, dry sausage.

Can you freeze sausage?

Yes, raw sausage, smoked links, hot dogs, and sliced pepperoni all keep their best quality for 1 to 2 months in the freezer. The USDA’s freezer storage chart gives sausage the same 1 to 2 months at 0°F (-18°C).

Those times are for quality, not safety, because sausage kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe. Keep frozen sausage frozen, and for safety, cook it as directed.

Freezer burn doesn’t make sausage unsafe, only dry in spots. Cut the grayish-brown leathery spots away before or after cooking.

Can you freeze hot dogs?

Yes, hot dogs keep their best quality for 1 to 2 months in the freezer. The USDA freezer chart gives ham and lunch meats the same time.

Can you freeze salami?

Freezing prepackaged deli salami isn’t recommended, according to USDA FoodKeeper, even though it lists 1 to 2 months in the freezer. The USDA freezer chart gives lunch meats the same 1 to 2 months.

Can you freeze pepperoni?

Yes, sliced pepperoni keeps its best quality for 1 to 2 months in the freezer. In the fridge, it lasts 2 to 3 weeks, so freeze what you won’t use by then.

Can you freeze sausage gravy?

Yes, sausage gravy keeps its best quality for 2 to 3 months in the freezer. That’s the USDA freezer chart time for gravy made with meat or poultry.

How long can sausage sit out?

Raw or cooked sausage can sit out for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). The USDA gives that limit for all perishable food.

Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. The USDA calls this range the Danger Zone.