If you enjoy chicken sausage, you are like me. It’s a tasty and quick way to get your protein fix. But do you know how to tell if chicken sausage is bad?
Chicken sausage contains less fat and calories than traditional pork sausage and is high in protein.
You can use chicken sausage in a great variety of dishes, such as soups, pasta dishes, and many more.
To determine if your chicken sausage is bad, look at the expiration date, color, smell, and texture. If it’s past its expiration date, has a foul smell, or has a grayish color with a slimy coat, then your sausage is bad.
Here is How to Tell If Chicken Sausage Is Bad
Since chicken sausages are made from processed meats, they can easily get spoilt, especially when not preserved properly.
Chicken sausages, along with other types of sausages, have a shelf life, and when that is exceeded, irrespective of the preservation method used, they start to go bad.
To easily identify bad sausages, we’ve outlined a few things to look out for.
Option #1: Expiration Date
One of the simplest ways of checking if your chicken sausage is no longer edible or safe for consumption is by checking its expiration date.
Most packaged chicken sausages sold in stores usually come with an expiration date on their packaging.
Once this date is exceeded, the sausage is considered unsafe for consumption.
So, whenever you decide to use that chicken sausage you bought from the store, first check the expiration date.
If the sausage has passed its expiration date, it is definitely unsafe to consume.
Note: For fresh and raw chicken sausage that might not come with expiration dates, you will need to employ other methods to check if they are still good enough for consumption.
Option #2: Smell
Smell is one of the oldest methods used in determining if foods are still good for consumption.
The smell your chicken sausage gives off can tell you if it’s still in good shape.
This method works for both packaged and fresh chicken sausage. Take the sausage out of its packaging and have a nice long sniff.
Healthy chicken sausage should smell only of the herbs and ingredients used in it.
If you notice your chicken sausage has any foul or sour aroma, you shouldn’t use it. If it produces a chicken-like smell, it means the sausage is dry and, therefore, consumable.
Option #3: Texture and Appearance
A test that works for both packaged and fresh/raw chicken sausage is the texture and appearance test.
For packaged chicken sausage, open the pack and examine each sausage individually. If it’s discolored or has a gray color, it’s probably not safe to eat.
If your chicken sausage has a slimy coat or has any green or black spots, it’s probably gone bad and unsafe for consumption.
Option #4: The Cooking Test
If after checking your chicken sausage, you’re still not convinced whether it has gone bad or not, you can carry out the cooking test.
Cook the chicken sausage in water and observe. If it does not cook evenly or has an uneven texture, it is probably unsafe to eat.
And if in the end, you are still not satisfied or convinced of the condition of your chicken sausage, you should discard it.
Tip: Because chicken sausage is perishable, it must be handled and stored with caution.
What Happens If You Consume Contaminated Chicken Sausage?
If you consume contaminated chicken sausage or one that has gone bad, you may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Also, fever, chills, and abdominal pain are all possible symptoms.
If you suspect you have consumed contaminated chicken sausage, contact your healthcare provider or your local health department right away.
How To Tell If Cooked Chicken Sausage Is Bad
If you want to see if chicken sausage is bad after cooking, closely observe its appearance, color, and smell.
If it appears to look slimy, has a grayish color, or smells off, it’s probably best to throw it out.
You can also test the sausage’s internal appearance by cutting it open. If the center is pink or red, it is no longer good and should be discarded.
Tip: If you notice that your chicken sausage is very bad, it's decent to throw it away. Do not put your health at risk by consuming them.
How to Tell If Your Breakfast Sausage Is Bad
Check the breakfast sausage to see if the color has changed or if there is any mold growing on it. If the sausage looks different than when you bought it, it’s probably not safe to eat.
After that, smell the sausage. It is most likely bad and should be discarded if it has a sour or unpleasant odor.
If it smells good, cook a small piece of the sausage to see if it’s still good.
Your breakfast sausage is good if the sausage, when fully cooked, does not smell or has a slimy coat.
Why Is My Chicken Sausage Slimy?
You might be wondering why your chicken sausage is slimy. But let us look at some of the reasons why.
One reason why your chicken sausage might be slimy is that it was not properly cooked.
When chicken sausage is undercooked, it becomes slimy. Cook chicken sausage until the center is no longer pink and the juices run clear.
Another reason could be that the chicken sausage had not been allowed to cool. Chicken sausage can become slimy if it is not properly cooled after cooking.
Allow the chicken sausage to cool completely before storing it in the fridge.
Another reason why your chicken sausage might be slimy is that it has been kept in the refrigerator for far too long.
When chicken sausage is kept in the refrigerator for an extended period of time, it can become slimy.
It is best to use chicken sausages within 3-5 days of cooking them.
Another possibility is that the sausage was stored in a way that encouraged the growth of bacteria.
For example, bacteria can multiply and make the sausage slimy if it was stored in a damp environment or was not properly refrigerated.
Tip: Because chicken sausage is leaner than pork sausage, it can be difficult to prepare and also preserve.
How To Tell If Raw Chicken Sausage Is Bad
Your raw chicken sausage is bad if there appear to be any signs of spoilage, such as the presence of mold or discoloration.
If the sausage appears to be in good condition, smell it to check for any odors.
If it presents a foul aroma, then it’s time to discard it as it’s probably not safe to eat something that smells bad.
Finally, test a small piece of sausage to see if it’s still edible. If it tastes bad or has an uneven texture, throw it out.
How To Tell If Precooked Chicken Sausage Is Bad
Well, this is similar to that of raw chicken sausage. Check the sausage for any signs of mold or discoloration to determine whether it is bad.
If the sausage appears slimy or has any green or black spots, it is most likely contaminated.
Smell it to see if the precooked chicken sausage has gone bad. If the sausage smells sour or rotten, toss it.
Tip: Irrespective of whether it is fresh, raw, or precooked, if your chicken sausage exhibits any signs that would suggest it is bad, you should do away with it.
Conclusion
If you are wondering how to tell if chicken sausage is bad, just follow the guidelines mentioned earlier above.
This includes inspecting the sausage’s appearance, smell, texture, and expiration date.
If your chicken sausage is discolored, has a sour aroma, feels slimy to touch, or has gone beyond its expiration date, it’s probably best to throw it out.
With all the guidelines provided above, I am confident that you should be able to identify bad chicken sausage from now on.