When you think about liverwurst, the first thing that comes to mind is just how delicious it is. Originating in Germany and today found across the world, it goes wonderfully with sauerkraut, mustard, gherkins, mashed potatoes or just about anything else you can think of!
However, you’ll find that liverwurst comes in huge portions, and it’s unlikely you’ll consumer it all in one sitting. Unless you’re cooking for a large group, you’ll often have leftover liverwurst. So what happens if you have too many leftovers? Perhaps you’ve bought a whole liverwurst on sale on impulse, and are now wondering what to do with it.
How should you store liverwurst? Can you freeze it? In short, yes, you can freeze liverwurst as a whole and even as a spread. Freezing liverwurst will extend its shelf-life while retaining its original quality and taste.
Keep reading to learn all you need to know about how to freeze and defrost your liverwurst and spreads. I’ll also be sharing some tips on how to freeze them and tell-tale signs to spot if they’ve gone bad.
Does Liverwurst Freeze Well?
Though the shelf-life of liverwurst is relatively short, freezing it will significantly extend it for up to almost two months! Fortunately, liverwurst freezes rather well.
However, how well liverwurst freezes will strongly depend on what it’s made of and how it’s stored. Some liverwurst may contain extra ingredients such as herbs, spices, or nuts, all of which will alter its shelf life one way or another.
Ensuring that you properly store and freeze your liverwurst is crucial as it can still go bad even when frozen. The way you keep your liverwurst and the temperature it is frozen at will also determine how long it lasts and its quality.
Provided that you keep your liverwurst away from air and moisture and keep it constantly frozen at 0°F, it will freeze relatively well and be safe to eat indefinitely.
Below, I’ll share with you all the guidelines and best ways for you to freeze and store your liverwurst.
How to Freeze Liverwurst
Freezing liverwurst is relatively simple but needs to be done carefully for the best results.
Some people freeze liverwurst by putting it straight into the freezer. However, there are generally two ways you can freeze liverwurst: In an airtight container or in plastic wrap. Both do not differ much, other than the materials you have to hand in your kitchen.
Here’s how to freeze liverwurst:
In a Container
The easiest and most eco-friendly way to store liverwurst is to keep it in an airtight container or resealable bag.
Find a suitable container. Find a container that is airtight, freezer-safe, and has no residual aroma or smells. If not sealed properly, air will enter and cause the texture to change drastically. Liverwurst readily absorbs odors, which can significantly reduce the quality when you defrost it.
Place liverwurst into the container. Place your whole log of liverwurst into the container or bag. If your liverwurst is in slices, you can place wax or parchment paper in between the pieces. This will prevent them from sticking to each other when frozen.
Seal and label the container. Seal the container tightly and label it with the date and content. Place it into your freezer, and you have yourself some frozen liverwurst.
With Plastic Wrap
Wrapping your liverwurst in plastic wrap is another great way to freeze it. Doing this also keeps it extra safe from the air or any potential bacteria.
Wrap your liverwurst in plastic wrap. If you have a log of liverwurst, you can wrap the whole log tightly with plastic. If your liverwurst is cut or sliced, separate each piece with wax paper. Afterward, stack the slices and wrap them like a whole log with plastic.
Wrap with aluminum foil. As the plastic wrap is relatively thin, it is unprotected from toxic dyes from markers. Wrapping in aluminum foil is an excellent solution to that. Aluminum will also keep your liverwurst constantly cool rather well. This also helps you to avoid a gooey mess, as liverwurst can be somewhat slimy when frozen.
Label and store. Label your liverwurst with the date and contents. You can store it in the freezer as it is. Alternatively you can pop it in a freezer-safe airtight container or resealable bag just to be extra safe.
Tips for Freezing Liverwurst
- Cut into slices and flash freeze. This will help save you the time of freezing and defrosting a whole log of liverwurst. You can freeze portions of liverwurst instead. Cut your liverwurst in slices, place them on a baking tray, and flash freeze. Once frozen, store them in a resealable bag or container.
- Vacuum seal. If you have a vacuum sealer, this is a great extra step. Vacuum sealing your liverwurst will further protect it from air and freezer burn, making it last extra long.
- Liverwurst casing. Most liverwurst will come in either a natural or synthetic casing. It helps it hold its shape and flavor. However, if your liverwurst does not have a casing, be sure to wrap it in wax paper before freezing.
Freezing Liverwurst Spread
What about liverwurst spread or pâté? Can you freeze it too? Yes! you can freeze liverwurst spread. Here’s how:
As a Whole
If your liverwurst spread is store-bought, unopened, and in its container, you can freeze it whole. Just pop the container into your freezer and freeze it as it is. Remember to label your container with the date and contents in case you’re forgetful like me.
If you have some leftover liverwurst pâté after opening it, you need to store it in a freezer-safe airtight container. Place your liverwurst spread into an airtight container. Before covering it with the lid, place some plastic wrap on top of the container. This ensures that it’s extra sealed and prevents freezer burn. To be extra safe, you can also wrap the whole container in aluminum foil before labeling it with the date and contents.
In Portions
However, maybe you don’t see yourself consuming a whole portion of pâté when you defrost it. In that case, you’re better off freezing it in smaller quantities. It will save you some time defrosting and prevent you from refreezing too.
Prepare a suitable ice cube tray or mold. Find an ice cube tray or freezer-safe mold that suits your portion size. Carefully portion and scoop your pate into the ice cube tray.
Store and freeze. Place the ice cube tray into the freezer and let it freeze for a few hours.
Transfer frozen pate into a container. Once your pâté has frozen, remove it from the mold and transfer the portions into a freezer-safe resealable bag or container. This saves it from freezer burn and any potential bacteria. Remember to seal the container tightly and label it.
How to Defrost Liverwurst
You would defrost liverwurst just as you would with any frozen meat. It’s best to remove it from the freezer one day before you want to eat it and let it defrost overnight.
Allowing it to thaw in the fridge overnight ensures that it remains at a stable and cool temperature. This slow-defrosting method also keeps it safe to consume.
If you’re in a rush, you can leave your liverwurst in a bowl of warm or room temperature water to quicken the defrosting process. Just grab a bowl and submerge your frozen liverwurst in room temperature water until it is defrosted. Be sure your liverwurst is tightly wrapped in plastic; if not, you will end up with some a soggy mess!
It’s generally advised not to microwave your liverwurst as it may cause uneven heating. This can lead to some parts being dry p, whilst also promoting breeding grounds for foodborne pathogens. It’s best to stay patient and let it take its time to defrost.
How to Defrost Liverwurst Spread
Liverwurst spread when defrosting will have a rather odd consistency. However, similar to defrosting whole liverwurst, liverwurst spread can be defrosted by two methods. You can leave it in the fridge for a day, or in a bowl of warm water.
How to Tell if Liverwurst Has Gone Bad
While liverwurst freezes well, it will go bad eventually. It’s important to look out for some signs it has gone bad to save you from an upset stomach and unpleasant meal.
Smells off
The most clear sign to tell if your liverwurst has gone bad is by its smell. So give it a sniff. If it smells rotten, sour, gone-off, or foul, that may be a sign it has gone bad. It’s best to not consume it and dispose of it.
Slimy texture
Another sure tell sign that your liverwurst has gone bad is by observing its texture. Spoiled Liverwurst has a slimy, sticky, or tacky texture. If you see that in your liverwurst, you’re better off throwing it away.
Colour change
Colour change may not necessarily mean it has gone bad. However, if your liverwurst has turned grey or any color other than your pink liverwurst, it has most likely gone bad. I would generally recommend throwing it away; it’s better to be safe than sorry.
How Long Does Liverwurst Last?
As you know, liverwurst has a relatively short shelf-life. So it’s good to know how long they will last in certain conditions.
Liverwurst can last up to 3 to 5 days in the fridge at its best quality. Or maybe even up to a week if stored well. However, to ensure the best quality, liverwurst should be consumed immediately.
Storing your liverwurst in the freezer will extend its shelf-life to up to 2 months at optimal quality. If properly stored and at the appropriate temperature, your liverwurst can last even longer and indefinitely. However, the texture and quality may deteriorate over time and not be as fresh as they used to be.
Liverwurst spread, on the other hand, has a much shorter shelf life. Liverwurst spread can last up to 5 days at the best quality in the fridge. Alternatively, you can also have a look at its use-by date. If stored in the freezer, the spread will last up to 1 month.
While there may be a difference in shelf-life for homemade and store-bought liverwurst, they will roughly last the same time. Store-bought liverwurst may last slightly longer if it contains any preservatives. But you can just check with your local butcher or ingredients to be sure. If in doubt, you can always follow the use-by date on your liverwurst.
| In the Fridge | In the Freezer | |
|---|---|---|
| Store-bought Liverwurst | Up to 1 week | Up to 2 months |
| Liverwurst Spread | Up to 5 days | Up to 1 month |