Can You Freeze Braunschweiger?
Quick Answer
Yes, you can freeze Braunschweiger for up to two months. It’s important to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and maintain its quality. However, freezing may affect its texture and flavor after thawing.
Read on for more detail
Braunschweiger is a type of liverwurst sausage that is typically eaten on a bun. It is also often used as an ingredient in dishes like casseroles.
Since it’s a popular type of sausage, you may wonder how best to store Braunschweiger to keep it fresh and delicious.
Can you freeze Braunschweiger? Yes, Braunschweiger can stay frozen in the fridge for up to two months. However, freezing will change the texture and flavor of the sausage.
In this article, let’s take a look at how you can best preserve Braunschweiger to use in your next recipe.
What Is Braunschweiger?
Braunschweiger is a type of German sausage made from pork liver that is smoked and then cured, giving it a distinctive flavor.
It originates in Braunschweig, Germany, where it is typically served as a spread on bread or crackers.
Braunschweiger is usually made with pork liver, bacon, and onions, along with various spices like allspice, nutmeg, thyme, white pepper, mustard seed, coriander, and marjoram.
The sausage can be enjoyed as is or used as a spread for crackers or bread. It is also often used in recipes for dips and casseroles.
Whether you enjoy it on its own or as part of another dish, Braunschweiger is a delicious sausage that is now enjoyed worldwide!
Can You Really Freeze Braunschweiger?
Yes, you can freeze Braunschweiger for up to two months in the freezer without spoiling its texture and quality.
When freezing Braunschweiger, it is important to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
This step will prevent freezer burn and help to keep the meat fresh. However, the most important factor when it comes to freezing Braunschweiger is not actually freezer burn, but maintaining the integrity of the sausage.
Since it’s super soft and can easily lose its shape, if you don’t handle it correctly during the freezing and thawing process, Braunschweiger can become squished and distorted.
Although Braunschweiger is traditionally made from pork liver, other ingredients may also be included, depending on the recipe.
Pork, lamb, beef, or chicken livers may also be present in the recipe, which can affect how long you can store it in the freezer.
How To Freeze Braunschweiger Sausage
Since Braunschweiger is so delicate, you will need to be very careful when freezing it.
Here is the step-by-step process for freezing Braunschweiger in its sausage form!
Step 1: Wrap The Braunschweiger In Parchment Paper (Optional)
If the Braunschweiger doesn’t have its casting, you will first need to wrap it in parchment paper to prevent the sausage from sticking to the wrappings and losing its shape.
Seal the parchment paper to cover all of the sausages.
Step 2: Cover In Plastic Wrap
Cover the entire Braunschweiger in plastic film a few times. The plastic will prevent the moisture from escaping, which will prevent the Braunschweiger from drying out.
Make sure to use plastic wrap instead of using a Ziploc bag. The plastic wrap can help to reinforce the shape of the Braunschweiger and prevent the sausage from falling apart.
Step 3: Cover In Aluminum Foil
Cover the entire surface in aluminum foil and make sure that no edges are exposed.
The aluminum foil will help to prevent freezer burn and preserve the taste of the Braunschweiger.
Step 4: Place It Inside A Plastic Container
Since the Braunschweiger is super delicate, placing the whole thing inside a freezer-safe container will help protect the shape of the sausage.
If you place the Braunschweiger as-is inside your freezer, it may become distorted or dented as you move things around your freezer.
Step 5: Label The Container
Use a label sticker or masking tape to label the container. Since Braunschweiger is only good in the freezer for up to two months, properly labeling your food will ensure that you can use it before it goes bad.
You can include the manufacturing date and the use-by date on your label. We recommend also including the content of the container (such as the ingredients of the Braunschweiger) in case of any food allergies your family might have.
How To Freeze Braunschweiger Pâté
Braunschweiger sometimes comes in the form of a spreadable pâté.
This pâté is delicious, but it can also be quite difficult to freeze because it’s more susceptible to freezer burn.
If you are freezing braunschweiger pâté, make sure to consume it within one month to enjoy the best taste. After that, the pâté may dry out, and the spreadable texture won’t be the same.
Here’s how you can safely freeze Braunschweiger pâté!
Step 1: Place The Braunschweiger Pâté Inside An Airtight Container
Using an airtight container will help preserve the texture of the pâté and prevent freezer burn. Make sure to use a plastic container since glass might crack in your freezer.
Don’t close the lid of the container just yet — you will need to wrap the top of the pâté to prevent it from drying out.
Step 2: Wrap The Pâté
Wrap the surface of the pâté with a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
Step 3: Close The Lid And Label The Container
Seal the lid tightly to prevent moisture from getting in or out of the container.
With a label or masking tape, label your container with the “Use-By” date and the content of the container. Properly labeling the container will ensure that you can consume the pâté while it’s still fresh and delicious!
How To Defrost Braunschweiger
Since Braunschweiger is made from animal livers, which are rich in animal fat, the best way to defrost Braunschweiger is in the fridge, where it will take about a day to thaw completely.
Although this method will take longer than, say, defrosting at room temperature or even in the microwave, defrosting in your fridge will actually preserve the shape, texture, and flavor of the Braunschweiger the best due to the animal fat.
If you try to defrost it on your counter or in the microwave, the fat has a high chance of separating from the sausage, which can ruin the texture and dry out your Braunschweiger.
Thawing the Braunschweiger in the fridge also has the added benefit of keeping it at an ideal temperature for preservation, and you can use it within 2-3 days after it’s removed from your freezer.
How To Refrigerate Braunschweiger
Store-bought Braunschweiger is usually sold in packages that are enough for a meal for two. The easiest way to preserve store-bought Braunschweiger is in the fridge until its use-by date, which is usually indicated in the packaging.
If you are making your own Braunschweiger, the cooked sausage can stay fresh in your fridge for up to a week. If you want the Braunschweiger to last longer, you can freeze them using the instructions above.
However, Braunschweiger is always best when it’s fresh. Whether you are buying or making your own, it’s best to only buy or make enough and eat them straight away, which will allow you to enjoy the best flavor of this delicious dish.
How To Tell If Braunschweiger Has Gone Bad
If you have an unlabeled container of Braunschweiger in your fridge, it can be difficult to tell if the Braunschweiger has gone bad.
A change in color or appearance may not be an indicator of the Braunschweiger going bad; the color can also change due to a variety of factors that may not affect the taste.
However, the simplest way to tell if Braunschweiger is bad is to give it a sniff. If it has a strong, rancid smell, then the meat is definitely not safe for consumption.
In addition, if the sausage feels sticky or slimy, or the oil content has separated, then it is definitely no longer good to eat and you will need to dispose of it right away.
Related Questions
Now that we know all about Braunschweiger, what it’s used for, and how to freeze and defrost it, here are some related questions we thought you might have.
What’s the difference between Liverwurst vs Braunschweiger?
Liverwurst is another type of German sausage that’s often made from animal livers, so you may wonder whether these are one and the same.
Although the recipe and ingredients may be very similar, there’s a key distinction between the two: liverwurst is boiled, while Braunschweiger is smoked.
Many people say that the difference in the cooking methods gives Braunschweiger a distinct smoky taste that’s better than liverwurst, but it’s a matter of personal preference whether you enjoy one more than the other.
What’s the best way to enjoy Braunschweiger?
Braunschweiger is already cooked, so you can serve it cold when it comes out of the fridge. It’s best as a spread on warm toast. You can also pan-sear the sausage to eat like a hot dog or cut it to eat with your sandwich.
Is Braunschweiger healthy?
In addition to being rich in protein and fat, Braunschweiger is also a good source of micronutrients, including iron, vitamin A, retinol, and vitamin B12.
These nutrients are quite beneficial for your health, and consuming Braunschweiger can help to ensure that you are getting enough of them in your diet.
However, since livers are highly packed with nutrition, you definitely should not eat Braunschweiger every single day because it will overload your system with these nutrients. Too much of a good thing may not be very good for your health!
