Can You Freeze Kielbasa? (Answered)

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Kielbasa is the generic Polish word for “sausage” and it is available in many different forms from large/small, smoked/dried/fresh.

Some people only know it as those large, smoked links of sausages that are often seen vacuum-packed in supermarkets and delis.

However, it comes in different forms. Some are made with pork, veal, or a mixture of meats. Beef is sometimes added. It is often flavored with garlic, juniper, marjoram, and pimentos.

Kielbasa is a Polish staple and can be cooked in many different ways from simple boiling to grilling and baking.

It is popular because it is an inexpensive protein form, sometimes made from scraps. In Poland, it is often served with sauerkraut.

Basically, there are 3 main types of kielbasa – dried, regular, and white. Dried kielbasa, often known as “hunter’s sausage” has very little moisture content and does not need to be cooked.

It is ready-to-eat and is similar to salami. Regular kielbasa can be heated up before cooking but it does not need to be cooked. Think of it as a kind of hotdog sausage. White kielbasa is raw and must be cooked before eating it.

You may be wondering how to store your kielbasa and if it can be frozen. Yes, all varieties of kielbasa can be frozen. If frozen correctly, they will keep very well for up to 6 months.

Can You Freeze Kielbasa?

Freezing kielbasa is simple but it must be done correctly if you are not going to spoil it. First, wrap the individual sausages in clingfilm to expel any air. Then put the whole lot into a Ziploc bag.

This double-wrapping preparation will protect it from freezer burn and any odor transfer to and from other items in the freezer. Label the bag with the contents and the date. Add a “use by” date if you like.

If you have bought the type of kielbasa that is vacuum-packed, you do not need to repackage it. Simply put it into the freezer.

Some people like to use slices of kielbasa as a flavoring in dishes such as pasta sauces and jambalaya.

To do this, slice the sausages into circles, lay them on a piece of baking paper on a baking tray, and freeze until solid. Transfer the slices to a Ziploc bag once they are hard. You can just take out as many as you need at a time.

Defrosting Kielbasa

Before using the sausage, it should be completely defrosted. You can put it in the refrigerator overnight.

Alternatively, put the package (still wrapped) into a basin of cold water for an hour or so, or put it in the microwave on the defrost mode. Use the sausage as soon as it has been thawed and do not refreeze it.

Here’s a recipe to use up your frozen kielbasa. It’s simple and your whole family is sure to love it.

ONE-POT KIELBASA AND POTATOES

Ingredients:

• 1 pound kielbasa sausage
• 1 1/2 pounds potatoes, cubed but not peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• sea salt and pepper to season
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano or marjoram
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed

Instructions:

1. Slice the sausage into ½ inch rounds. Remove the casing if it is too thick. Put a wok over high heat. Put in the sausage slices when hot and fry them for 5 minutes or so, stirring.
2. They should become browned and moist. Remove the slices to a bowl but leave the fat that has melted out in the pan. Add the onions, garlic, and pepper and fry until soft.
3. Now add about half a cup of water to the wok with the potatoes, paprika, salt, and oregano. Scrape the bits off the bottom.
4. When the water is simmering, put the lid on and cook on a gentle heat until the potatoes are soft. Remove the lid and cook until the water has evaporated.
5. Add the sausages to the wok and stir everything together for a couple of minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot. Yum!

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has helped you to feel confident about freezing, defrosting, and using kielbasa. You can use the frozen pieces in dishes like gumbo or savory rice.

Kielbasa is smoky, rich, and full of flavor so a little goes a long way. Your freezer stash should last a long time.