Can I heat and eat it?

January 4, 2018 6:46 PM

Pre-cooked, unopened, commercially packaged andouille chicken sausage, 2 weeks past sell-by date. Not frozen but kept (presumably) safely refrigerated. I want to slice them up and recook/brown them, but I also don't want to regret it later.
posted by Ink-stained wretch to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

Best answer: I don't think I've ever answered one of these "can I eat it" questions, but this one is crystal clear in my mind. If they smell okay and aren't slimy feeling, heat them thoroughly and eat them. Once you open the package, use them up in a few days if possible.
posted by DrGail at 7:01 PM on January 4, 2018 [2 favorites]

Best answer: For pre-cooked sausage the USDA says you should use by 2 weeks after the sell-by date (see the table at the bottom of this page). You are likely fine, although according to them right on the edge of it.
posted by charmedimsure at 7:01 PM on January 4, 2018 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Uhhh, a little slimy. I think I have my answer. :(
posted by Ink-stained wretch at 7:08 PM on January 4, 2018 [6 favorites]

Best answer: I’m generally in the Eat It camp but not this time.
posted by rtha at 7:10 PM on January 4, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I normally ignore use-by dates with abandon, but pre-cooked chicken? Nope...
posted by tillsbury at 8:17 PM on January 4, 2018

If it smells okay and you cook it thoroughly, I'd go for it.

I'd probably have a backup plan in case it smells or doesn't taste good, if you live in an area where delivery pizza isn't there as a Plan B. :)
posted by Kadin2048 at 8:47 PM on January 4, 2018

Best answer: Mmmm...chicken? That’s ‘a little slimy’? Nooooooooooo.
posted by Salamander at 9:23 PM on January 4, 2018 [5 favorites]

No no no. Go to Trader Joes, and get some more, their chicken sausage is excellent. Nope.
posted by Oyéah at 1:07 PM on January 6, 2018