Can You Freeze Liverwurst? For How Long?

What Is Liverwurst?

Liverwurst also known as liver sausage, is made from pork liver, which is popular across Europe, North America, and South America.

Liverwurst contains a mixture of pork liver, meat, and fat, with spices and seasonings, including onion powder black pepper, and marjoram. Other variations of this sausage are made with beef or lamb instead of pork.

This sausage is spreadable but firm enough to be sliced for use in sandwiches and appetizers.

Its nutrient profile makes it a good option for low-carb diets like Keto and Carnivore. 100 grams of Liverwurst provides the following nutritional values [1]:

You can buy ready and pre-cooked Liverwurst or you can easily make it at home to have a higher-quality sausage with no preservatives.

For making Liverwurst at home, you should grind liver, pork butt, and pork fat separately, then mix and grind them together again with onion, powdered dry milk, white pepper, salt, paprika, and marjoram.

Then pack the mixture into a muslin casing, and cook in boiling water for 3 hours. Then cool in ice water and refrigerate overnight.

The most important thing is to eat Liverwurst within 10 days after taking it out of the refrigerator. But freezing can help you keep it for a longer time.

Learn More: Braunschweiger vs. Liverwurst: Taste, Nutrients and Calories

Can You Freeze Liverwurst?

Yes, you can freeze it, but you should know how long can you freeze Liverwurst because it can be preserved for 1-2 months with good quality if only frozen properly.

It's crucial to tightly wrap the Liverwurst to prevent freezer burn, which can affect its texture and flavor.

However, storing Liverwurst in the freezer for longer than 2 months can make it lose its flavor and change its texture.

Remember that high-protein meat-based foods like Liverwurst can get damaged in the freezer due to moisture loss, ice crystal formation, and oxidation, so here are the steps to freeze it properly.

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How to Freeze Liverwurst?

Follow these step-by-step instructions to freeze Liverwurst:

1. Remove the Packaging: If you bought the Liverwurst, first take it out of any plastic, paper, or other packaging it came in from the store.
2. Wrap in Baking Paper: Tear off a large sheet of baking/parchment paper, wrap the Liverwurst completely, and leave no parts exposed. The baking paper allows air circulation while absorbing any moisture released by the sausage.
3. Wrap in Plastic Wrap: Tightly wrap the Liverwurst in a layer of plastic cling wrap or freezer wrap. It creates an airtight seal to prevent freezer burn and drying out. You can also use an airtight container.
4. Label and Freeze: Use a permanent marker to label the wrapped Liverwurst with the exact date. You can’t keep it frozen for more than 2 months so it’s better to write the frozen date. Then place the wrapped and labeled sausage into the freezer.

Also, if thawed improperly,  Liverwurst can lose its texture and flavor. So, let’s learn how to defrost it.

Learn More: Can You Eat Pork Rinds on the Carnivore Diet?

How to Thaw Liverwurst?

Use the following instructions to thaw the Liverwurst:

1. Remove the Liverwurst from the freezer.
2. Place it in the refrigerator.
3. Allow it to defrost overnight.
4. Ensure it stays at a constant temperature during thawing.

You can’t put the Liverwurst in the freezer again after defrosting. Refreezing Liverwurst or other meats can change their texture and flavor, and increase the risk of bacterial growth, causing food safety concerns.

So, freezing keeps Liverwurst fresh for longer, but how long can it be maintained in the freezer with high quality?

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How Long Does Liverwurst Last In the Fridge?

Liverwurst can be stored in the refrigerator for about 7 to 10 days when properly wrapped or placed in an airtight container.

During this time, it maintains its freshness and quality but it must be tightly sealed to prevent exposure to air, which can cause it to dry out or absorb other flavors from the refrigerator.

Freezing Liverwurst keeps it fresh longer but can also have some risks, especially if not wrapped properly.

Learn More: Can You Freeze Braunschweiger? How Long Can You Store It?

Risks of Freezing Liverwurst

Like most meat-based foods, Liverwurst is sensitive and can get freezer burn.

Improper freezing of Liverwurst can cause several risks, including the following, which can affect its quality and texture.

• Texture Changes
• Flavor Loss
• Moisture Loss
• Risk of Freezer Burn

Remember that these risks can happen only if you keep Liverwurst for a long time or don’t wrap it properly.

Texture Changes

Freezing Liverwurst for a long time can lead to changes in texture because the formation of ice crystals during freezing and thawing can disrupt the structure of the meat.

When ice crystals form, they pierce the cell walls and muscle fibers of the Liverwurst, causing it to become grainy or mushy upon thawing [2].

This change in texture can make the Liverwurst less enjoyable to eat, as it loses its smooth and spreadable consistency.

Flavor Loss

The process of freezing and thawing Liverwurst can also impact its flavor. Over time, freezing can lead to changes in flavor compounds in meat.

Additionally, if the Liverwurst is not tightly wrapped or stored in an airtight container, it can absorb odors from other foods in the freezer that change its taste.

To keep its original flavor, you should use proper wrapping techniques and consume the Liverwurst within a reasonable timeframe after freezing (2 months at most).

Moisture Loss

Bad packaging can result in moisture loss from the Liverwurst during freezing. When exposed to dry freezer air or not properly sealed, the Liverwurst can become dehydrated.

Loss of moisture can lead to dryness and a less appealing texture when thawed, which makes the Liverwurst less flavorful and more difficult to spread or slice.

Risk of Freezer Burn

Freezer burn is another result of moisture loss as it’s a common issue when food is not properly protected in the freezer.

Freezer-burnt Liverwurst becomes tough, tastes weird, is discolored in spots, and is covered in ice crystals

To avoid this issue, wrap the Liverwurst tightly in plastic wrap or use vacuum-sealed bags to keep air out.

To make sure your Liverwurst is safe from these risks and to detect any spoilage, you can check based on the following checklist.

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How Do We Know If Liverwurst Has Gone Bad?

How to tell if Liverwurst has gone bad? You can simply check these factors:

• Smell: If it smells sour, bad, or different from the normal Liverwurst, it might be spoiled. Fresh Liverwurst should have a mild, savory smell of liver and spices.
• Appearance: Look closely at the Liverwurst for changes in color or texture. Normally, it should be light brown to pinkish-brown. Gray or green colors and any mold growth mean the Liverwurst has gone bad and should be thrown away.
• Texture: Feel the surface of the Liverwurst with your fingers. It should be smooth and firm. If it feels slimy, sticky, or unusually soft, it might be starting to spoil. Changes in texture could mean there's microbial growth or breakdown of the meat.
• Taste: If you're unsure about the Liverwurst's quality, taste a small amount of it. Spoiled Liverwurst usually tastes sour, bitter, or has an unpleasant flavor that is noticeably different from its usual savory taste.

Conclusion

Properly storing food, especially meat, is essential for maintaining food health.

Meat products like Liverwurst can change in texture and flavor if kept in the freezer for long periods (generally more than 2 months).

Therefore, it's important to freeze them correctly and thaw them at the right time to maintain quality.