How to Freeze Cooked Italian Sausage & Peppers

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Things You'll Need

  • Cooked Italian sausage

  • Sautéed peppers

  • Freezer safe container with lid

  • Masking tape

  • Marker

  • Double boiler

Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Italian sausage and peppers is a simple meal that is inexpensive to make. The sausage and peppers take a while to fully cook, which is why the meal an ideal candidate to make in large quantities and freeze. Preparing any meal for the freezer requires some knowledge of the proper technique to use to prevent ruining the food before or after it freezes. You will need to prepare your meal carefully, and cook the sausage to the appropriate temperature of at least 165 degrees to ensure that your food is safe to freeze and reheat later.

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Step 1

Allow the Italian sausage and peppers to cool completely. Any heat left in the container will cause condensation to build up which may affect the taste of your frozen meal. Use clean utensils when handling the food, and cover the sausage and peppers loosely until they reach room temperature.

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Step 2

Freeze the dish immediately once it reaches room temperature Place the sausage and peppers in a freezer safe container. Use a glass container, or a plastic container.

Step 3

Ensure that the lid is secure on the container. If the lid is open or slightly cracked it will cause the food to become freezer burned.

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Step 4

Place a piece of masking tape on the container. Use a marker to write the name of the dish and the date to ensure that you consume the meal within 6 months.

Step 5

Sit the container in your freezer. In order to defrost the Italian sausage and peppers, place them in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in your microwave. Consider cooking the meal in a double boiler to prevent the dish from losing moisture.

Tip

Try to consume the sausage and peppers within 2 to 3 months. You can freeze it for up to 6 months, but the longer the sausage and peppers stay frozen the more the quality diminishes.

Use freezer vacuum bags instead of freezer safe containers.

Warning

If the sausage and peppers changes colors or emits a foul odor once defrosted, discard the meal immediately.

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