As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchasesBraunschweiger is a delicious meat delicacy best served with some cheese and bread during snack time. Impress your friends and family with a presentable charcuterie highlighting the flavor of Germans’ famous liverwurst (liver sausage).
Many people enjoy the distinctive flavor this meat offers as Braunschweiger is smoked; this is the main difference between Braunschweiger and liverwurst, as liverwurst is boiled. The two types of sausage are often used similarly; it is an easy mistake to make as Braunschweiger is a type of liverwurst. If you enjoy homemade liverwurst, then it’s likely you will also enjoy the smokier variety.
But everyone wants an answer to the question, “Can you freeze Braunschweiger?”
Let’s dig deep and learn more about the freezing method of Braunschweiger.
Can You Freeze Braunschweiger?
Yes, you can freeze Braunschweiger for up to 2 months in the fridge without spoiling the sausage’s flavor, texture, and consistency. Due to its soft consistency, it is possible for Braunschweiger to lose its shape; however, covering and securing it with aluminum foil or cling wrap would do the trick in maintaining the shape of these German sausages.
What is Braunschweiger?
Braunschweiger is a liverwurst typically containing pork liver, bacon, and spices such as nutmeg and allspice. Some variations may include ingredients such as milk, eggs, and cream. Braunschweiger is a type of German sausage originating from Braunschweig in Lower Saxony, Germany. It can be made into sausages with ground beef, pork, or organ meat, including heart and kidney; it can also be made into a pate.
It is typically made from pork and beef and flavored with various spices, such as allspice, nutmeg, mustard seed, and cardamom. The sausage is traditionally smoked and has a strong, distinct flavor. It is often sliced and served as a cold cut but can also be used in sandwiches or as an ingredient in other dishes. If you want to make your own Braunschweiger, you can store the cooked sausage in the fridge for up to a week.
If you enjoy liverwursts, then it is safe to assume you will also enjoy Braunschweiger sausages.
Nutritional Value of Braunschweiger
The meat delicacy Braunschweiger is a sausage made from pork liver, meat, and spices. When you eat Braunschweiger, it is a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and iron. Even though the main ingredients include meat, organ meats, and fats, it is also a good source of A and B vitamins. However, it is also a fatty meat high in fat and cholesterol. It has a high sodium content, which may have a negative effect on your diet.
It is recommended to consume Braunschweiger in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Eating too much Braunschweiger may damage your kidney; it may induce high blood pressure and heart disease. Some people recommend consuming less than 4oz. Freezing Braunschweiger can help you eat it in moderation, which will help limit the adverse effects it might have on your health.
Best Ways to Store Braunschweiger in the Freezer
Although you can refrigerate Braunschweiger, freezing it is a common option. It is often the most popular choice for storing Braunschweiger as the low, constant temperature prevents bacteria growth. You can store this delicious dish in the freezer for up to 2 months if stored the right way. How Braunschweiger freezes is affected by the meat’s use-by date. Raw, store-bought Braunschweiger will have a shorter shelf life than cooked Braunschweiger. Most Braunschweiger is fully cooked when bought from a store.
It is best to freeze Braunschweiger in a log shape or cut into serving portions, which is the same method that would be used to freeze liverwurst properly. Freezing as a whole log will hopefully assist the meat in keeping its shape instead of becoming soggy and misshapen after thawing; parchment paper can be used to do this. As this is a fatty meat, you can also use wax paper to separate slices of Braunschweiger.
Below are the best methods for freezing Braunschweiger and storing it in the freezer. These methods to store Braunschweiger will help to limit freezer burn, too.
Method 01: Aluminum Foil
Just like you would store liverwurst, securing Braunschweiger with heavy-duty aluminum foil will help keep moisture away from the meat. Aluminum wrap will help ensure the sausage meat stays fresh while maintaining the quality of texture and shape without compromising the overall flavor of the delicacy.
Method 02: Airtight Container
Since Braunschweiger is a delicate meat, securing it with wraps may be possible; however, if you wish for a guaranteed way of storing Braunschweiger in the freezer, an airtight container will be much more reliable. This option would be great, especially if you plan to store more Braunschweiger.
Method 03: Cling Wrap
Cling wrap, or plastic wrap, is one of the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to store your Braunschweiger in the freezer. Plastic wrap is airtight and will keep moisture away due to its waterproof capability. This helps to prevent the meat from sticking to the cover. Hence, the texture won’t be compromised at all. You can also cover the plastic wrap with aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
If you have none of the above options, you can use a heavy-duty freezer bag to store this meat product.
Following one of these steps will allow you to store and freeze Braunschweiger without worrying about freezer burn and spoilage. Just remember to store raw meat separately from cooked meats.
Tips to Remember When Freezing Braunschweiger
Freezing the Braunschweiger allows the meat to be free of moisture and other microorganisms that cause food spoilage. But the sausage can get freezer burns, making it harden and changing its texture and consistency. You can keep track of your Braunschweiger by labeling it when it is placed in the fridge; just be sure to write directly on to the packaging to avoid losing the note in the freezer.
Also, consider semi-defrosting the Braunschweiger weekly to check for damages due to freezer burn. If frozen as small pieces, this will be easier to monitor and thaw for meals if you don’t place to eat the whole thing.
Thawing Braunschweiger
The best way to thaw frozen Braunschweiger is by putting it in the refrigerator. It may sound contradicting, but it is one way of defrosting. Since Braunschweiger is made out of mostly animal fats and is soft in terms of texture, it is prone to deformation when you thaw it at room temperature or in the microwave. This will slowly melt the fat, resulting in the deconstruction of Braunschweiger’s shape.
Thawing your frozen Braunschweiger may require you to plan ahead of time so that you’ll be able to slowly increase the overall temperature of the sausage inside the fridge, and it will last for 6-8 hours. It may take a lot of time, but if you want to retain the shape, this is the process you may want to consider if you must thaw Braunschweiger. The method is similar to how you would thaw liverwurst.
However, if you’re about to use Braunschweiger as a sandwich spread, using a microwave oven will save you a lot of time preparing your snack. This will also speed up the time needed to defrost Braunschweiger, especially if you need it to thaw overnight. But microwaving during the thawing process is best avoided when possible; it can cause hot spots in the meat, causing it to become dry.
After thawing Braunschweiger, remember to consume it within a reasonable timeframe. This is essential to prevent the meat product from spoiling or going bad.
How Can I Tell if Braunschweiger is Already Spoiled?
If stored properly, Braunschweiger should not spoil quickly; stored food should be kept in a freezer bag or airtight containers for up to 2 months in the freezer. However, food spoilage is commonly caused by mold, yeast, or other bacteria. Because it is such a fatty meat, Braunschweiger goes bad faster than other sausages.
The common signs to look for in spoiled sausages are:
Change in Color
When food is about to spoil, it changes color due to the chemical reaction caused by microorganisms. It’s usually dark green to black but sometimes white or yellowish. These color changes usually begin with spots, so check your Braunschweiger before consuming.
Change in Texture
In spoiling meat, the breakdown of the protein results in a change in texture. It produces a slimy, oily, and soft composition. You can tell if there is a change in texture by observing and touching the meat. If you feel a slimy texture, then it’s likely the food has spoiled.
Unpleasant Odor
These are the prevalent signs of food spoilage; we all know how spoiled food smells. It produces a funky, unpleasant, rancid odor.
Sour Taste
The early sign of food spoilage is the sour to bitter taste it produces; it has an unpleasant taste. If your Braunschweiger has changed in taste, you must dispose of it immediately.
Fat Decomposition
As the protein breaks down, the fat also breaks down, which makes the texture and composition of the food worse. Because it is a type of sausage, the Braunschweiger will become oily, slimy, and watery.
These are the signs to look for before eating a fridge-stored Braunschweiger; this will help prevent food poisoning due to spoiled food consumption. If these signs manifest in your Braunschweiger, dispose of them immediately and adequately.
Braunschweiger Recipes
You might be eager to try Braunschweiger after reading the information above. This article will also share some home-preparation instructions and recipes that use readily available ingredients.
Homemade Braunschweiger
Making homemade Braunschweiger can be tricky. But if you want to try it instead of going for store-bought sausages, follow the steps below.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs pork liver
- 1 lb bacon, diced
- 2 large onions, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground white pepper
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground mace
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup brandy
- Natural pork casings
Instructions:
- Using a fine plate, grind the pork liver and bacon through a meat grinder.
- Mix the ground meat with diced onions, minced garlic, salt, and spices in a large bowl.
- Add milk, cream, and brandy, and mix well with your hands until the mixture becomes sticky.
- Stuff the mixture into the pork casings, removing any air bubbles.
- Twist the casings to make links.
- Poach the sausages in simmering water for 15 minutes.
- Remove sausages from the water and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Once chilled, the sausages can be sliced and served cold or pan-fried.
That’s it! With your finished Braunschweiger, you can now enjoy the classic taste of a traditional German sausage. You might want to try this sausage of a sandwich.
Charcuterie Board
Here is a simple recipe for making your charcuterie board at home:
Ingredients:
- Assorted cured meats (such as prosciutto, salami, and ham)
- Braunschweiger
- Assorted cheeses (such as brie, gouda, and cheddar)
- Crackers, bread, or crostini
- Fresh fruit (such as grapes, apples, and figs)
- Nuts (such as almonds and walnuts)
- Condiments (such as honey, fig jam, mustard, olive oil, and balsamic vinaigrette)
Instructions:
- Arrange the meats and cheeses on a platter or cutting board.
- Add the crackers, bread, or crostini, as well as the fruit and nuts.
- Place the condiments in small bowls or ramekins and place them on the board.
- Serve the charcuterie board at room temperature, and enjoy!
- Note: You can adjust the recipe to your liking by adding or removing ingredients and adjusting the amounts of each ingredient.
Enjoy your charcuterie board with your favorite Braunschweiger as a spread on your crackers, or pair it with your favorite cheese and meat. You can even add liverwurst pate if some of your guests don’t enjoy the smoky flavor of Braunschweiger.
Wrap Up
Braunschweiger is a delicious delicacy you can serve for snacks paired with your favorite cheese, crackers, and meat cutlets. It has the best flavor when seasoned with black pepper and salt. Due to the high sodium and cholesterol content, you should eat this food twice weekly for up to 3–4 servings to avoid health-related issues; this is the absolute maximum..
But can you freeze Braunschweiger? Of course, it is safe to freeze Braunschweiger using simple steps to prevent moisture, mold, and freeze burn throughout the freezing duration. You can thaw it using the fridge-thaw method, it may take time, but it will help in retaining the shape, texture, and composition of the Braunschweiger. This is the best option to ensure the meat is safe to eat and hasn’t gone bad.
Hopefully, this article helps you with some tips for freezing your favorite Braunschweiger.