How long will sausage keep in the refrigerator?

The shelf life of sausage in the refrigerator depends on the type of sausage and how it is packaged.

Unopened Sausage:

- Fresh sausage (such as breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, or bratwurst) can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days unopened.

- Smoked sausage (such as kielbasa, pepperoni, or summer sausage) can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days unopened.

- Dry sausage (such as salami, pepperoni, or chorizo) can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks unopened.

Opened Sausage:

- Fresh sausage should be cooked within 2 days of opening.

- Smoked sausage can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days after opening.

- Dry sausage can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks after opening.

It is important to follow the "use by" or "best before" date on the sausage package. If you are unsure whether the sausage is still safe to eat, it is best to discard it.

Tips for storing sausage in the refrigerator:

- Keep sausage in its original packaging or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.

- Store sausage on a shelf in the refrigerator, not in the door, where it is more likely to be exposed to temperature fluctuations.

- If you are not going to use sausage within a few days, consider freezing it. Sausage can be frozen for up to 2 months.