Can you Freeze Liverwurst And How Long Will It Keep?

There’s nothing better than making your own deli meat or produce. And it’s relatively easy to make one such as liverwurst. It’s so easy that you will end up making a lot with just a few ingredients.

Liverwurst is great to add in soups and stews. It can give that nice kick of flavor. But you can’t just use all your homemade liverwurst for tonight’s soup! So what can you do with the excess? Simple, you can store it so you can use it for a ton of exciting recipes. There’s more to liverwurst than soup, stews, and dips.

But of course, you have to know how to properly store liverwurst so that you’ll not end up with food poisoning. And you’ve come to the right place.

What is Liverwurst

Before we learn how to store liverwurst for future use, what exactly is liverwurst?

Liverwurst is also known as liver sausages, hence the name. It’s primarily made of three ingredients- meat, organ meat, and fat. And it can be made from either beef or pork meat.

liverwurst often comes in a sausage or log form. But you can also enjoy it as a pate.

You might already know that its main component is the liver. But it can also be made with other organs such as the heart and kidney. Thus, you’ll be able to taste a tangy and metallic flavor. And of course, seasonings can also be incorporated to balance out the taste. This results in delectable cuts with a lot of umami flavors.

Liverwursts can be a good source of a lot of nutrients. Let’s dabble a bit on the nutritional content of liverwurst.

What’s in a Liverwurst

This tasty and hearty sausage can be good for your body when consumed in moderation. And here are several benefits.

1. Rich source of protein

Since it’s mainly made of meat and organ meats, it’s a good source of readily available protein. Though it’s not at par with the protein you get from fresh chicken, beef, or pork, it’s still a decent source.

2. High in Vitamin B

One of the best sources of B vitamins, specifically vitamin B12 is organ meats. So it’s no wonder liverwurst is teeming with this nutrient! A meager 100 grams of liverwurst is enough to supply your body’s need for Vitamin B12 for the day.

What exactly does vitamin B12 do for your body? Well, B vitamins help maintain a normally functioning nervous system. And it also plays a big role in the proper formation of red blood cells.

The best news? liverwurst contains all types of B vitamins that your body needs! So if you have vitamin B deficiency, you can indulge in a little bit more liverwurst. Sounds good to us!

3. High in Vitamin A

Apart from Vitamin B12, liverwurst is also high in retinol, a form of vitamin A. And retinol is the preformed variety of Vitamin A. Compared to carotenoid, found in carrots, it doesn’t need to be converted anymore so the body can use it.

And the liver is also one of the leading sources of retinol. Now you have more reason to toss liverwurst into your stews!

4. High in Iron and Selenium

Iron is essential to prevent anemia. And it helps deliver oxygen to every cell in your body. Selenium, on the other hand, helps support the immune system. So these are essential nutrients that can help your body to be at its optimum. 

Moreover, making liverwurst is a very clever way of getting yourself to eat liver, we know how it can be unpalatable in its natural form. Liverwurst makes organ meat palatable, too palpable for some! 

But everything has to be taken in moderation. Too much can also be bad for your health. And some recipes and store-bought sausages can have too much fatty meat in them. 

How Do You Store Liverwurst?

You can store liverwurst in the fridge and it will last for up to 4-6 days. But freezing it is the best option. This will make the meat last longer for up to 2 months. 

As with any food, freezing will extend the shelf life of liverwurst more than just storing it in the refrigerator. 

Can you freeze liverwurst in a regular freezer? 

Can you freeze liverwurst? Yes, you can, but you have to use a heavy-duty freezer with a constant temperature. It should not fluctuate. 

How long does an unopened liverwurst log last in the refrigerator? It can last up to 2 months in the refrigerator when stored properly.

Liverwurst logs and pate can be stored in the freezer. However, freezing pate will be more challenging. It is more susceptible to freezer burns, and it can retain more fluid. So here’s how to freeze liverwurst properly.

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How to Store Liverwurst in a Heavy-Duty Freezer

1. What are the contents?

Though the main ingredients of liverwurst are meat, organ meats and fat, it can contain different herbs and spices. And knowing what went into your liverwurst is essential in determining how it would hold up when frozen. So first things first, ensure that you know what it’s made of.

The addition of nuts and herbs can affect how it freezes. And it can even shorten its shelf life.

2. Wrap it Properly

If you have liverwurst in the form of a log or sausage, tightly wrap it in saran wrap or a long plastic wrap. 

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But what if it’s sliced already? It’s still best to wrap them into a log shape. Then stack them on top of one another then use wax paper to separate each section. This will prevent the slices from merging once you thaw them.

Sometimes, you can buy liverwurst at the grocery store without the casings or make one bare. So before wrapping it in plastic, cover it first with parchment paper. This will help the sausage hold its shape.

3. Cover it with heavy-duty Aluminum Foil

Get a heavy-duty foil and wrap the already covered sausage with it. And don’t forget to label it accordingly so that you know when you need to consume it.

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4. Place in Airtight Containers

Get airtight containers and toss the sausage in them. This will ensure that it will not be dented or damaged whilst it’s stored in the freezer. And it’s best to store them in a section of your freezer that does not have much traffic. 

5. For liverwurst pate, you have to tweak the method above a little bit. 

It’s more susceptible to freezer burn because of its form. So it will be best to consume it within a month. Though it’s still safe to eat after a month, it will not be as tasty. And the texture and quality will be compromised. 

• Get plastic or airtight glass containers. Pop the liverwurst pate inside. 
• Place saran plastic over the surface of the pate.
• Close the lid and wrap it with aluminum foil.
• Label accordingly.

Tips for Freezing Liverwursts

To be able to freeze liverwurst successfully, keep these tips in mind.

1. Your freezer should maintain a consistent temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. It’s better to freeze liverwurst with a casing. This will help the meat hold its shape better.
3. Alternatingly, you can store it in resealable freezer bags. But it still should be kept inside airtight containers to prevent it from getting damaged in the freezer.  

How to Thaw Frozen Liverwurst Sausage

One rule of thumb is never to thaw any meat product at room temperature. It’s at 40- 140 degrees Fahrenheit where bacteria thrives and grows. 

So here’s how to easily and safely thaw your frozen liverwurst sausage.

• Transfer the liver sausage from the freezer to the refrigerator. Then let it thaw overnight.
• Thawing liverwurst pate is more tricky. You can still do the same method above but you have to drain the excess water that has accumulated. 

Is There a Difference Between Braunschweiger and Liverwursts

What is braunschweiger? It’s a name given to several types of sausage. It can be made into pate, sausages with organ meat, ground beef, or pork. 

Liverwursts, on the other hand, are used collectively to refer to a type of sausages that are made with liver. 

But the main difference between a braunschweiger and a Liverwurst is that braunschweiger is smoked. These two types of sausages are often used interchangeably. Braunschweiger may also be made with the same ingredients such as meat, organ meat, and fat. But this bad baby has that disintegrated smoky taste and aroma. 

Can You Freeze Braunschweiger

Though it’s best consumed when freshly made, you can still freeze And here’s how.

1. Cut it into serving portions so it’ll be easier to thaw.
2. Wrap each section with plastic film or saran wrap.
3. Get a heavy-duty freezer bag and toss these bad boys in. 
4. It’s soft so you have to put them in a section of your freezer where they will not be moved.  

Like liverwurst, it’s best to consume it in a month or two. 

What Can You Do With Liverwursts

It’s nice to spread liverwurst pate on warm toasted bread. And you can jazz up a boring stew with logs of liverwurst.

But you can also enjoy liverwursts in other ways. And here are some of our favorite liverwurst recipes. 

1. Liverwurst Meatball

This is a sneaky yet genius way of getting your kids to eat liver! Sneak the liverwurst inside your favorite meatballs recipe and tadaa! You can enjoy that tangy taste with every meatball bite! 

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2. Liverwurst Open Sandwich

Give your regular lunch sandwich a twist And replace the ham with Liverwurst stead. You just add onions, mustard, lettuce, and liverwurst to your open-face sandwich.

3. Pan-Fried Liverwurst

Can you fry liverwurst? Yes, you can! Put it in the skillet with some melted butter then cook until done. It’s best enjoyed with rice and a side of veggies.

Final Say

Who said liver isn’t yummy? With a ton of liverwurst recipes that you can make at home, you make it more palatable! And liverwurst is very rich and hearty so you will be eating only a small amount each time. And you can keep the leftovers in the freezer so you can enjoy them longer.