Meat & Poultry

Can You Freeze Boerewors?

Boerewors will hold at its best, wrap it tight, eat it oldest first. Gauge it by smell, weeks on, it keeps its coriander-spiced, coiled character, braaing exactly as South Africans insist, boerewors holds roughly 3–4 months. Raw sausages freeze well because their fat and casing protect the meat — but fat is also what fades first, so the window is shorter than for plain cuts. Thawed, it earns its keep in braai and grilling. Boerewors is sold in one continuous coil — cut it into braai-length sections before freezing so thawing never means defrosting the whole spiral.

Also called: boerewors coil · south african sausage

Freezes well

Yes — 3–4 months in the freezer, and boerewors comes back for braai and grilling; thawed, it keeps its coriander-spiced, coiled character, braaing exactly as South Africans insist.

Best method Freeze links in a single layer on a tray until solid
Freezer life 3–4 months
Thawing Defrost boerewors in a drawer
Best uses after thawing Braai, Grilling
Boerewors roll with fries - African Chow 2024-01-18
Andy Li · Wikimedia Commons
Step by step

Freezing boerewors step by step

Freeze links in a single layer on a tray until solid, then bag airtight. Solid links cook from frozen in a covered pan; patties thaw faster and brown more evenly. Rest boerewors before packing, bag it once cooled, space it out flat.

Before it goes in

  1. Rest boerewors quickly, wrap it tight, spread it in one layer.
  2. Freeze the coiled boerewors flat in its own wrap; the thick coil thaws slowly.
  3. Mark it with the weight, divide it into helpings, keep it chilled.
  4. Keep it off the door, use boerewors before you restock, judge it by smell.
Packaging

Containers & wrapping

Wrap boerewors airtight, lay it separately, label it before freezing. Cut it into helpings, keep boerewors in the cold, tag it clearly.

How long it keeps

Freezer storage

3–4 months

Boerewors keeps about 3–4 months, recall boerewors keeps its coriander-spiced, coiled character, braaing exactly as South Africans insist, stamp it clearly. Stow boerewors in the cold, check it by smell, rotate it first.

Store boerewors off the door, regard it as safe, check it on taste. Leave boerewors below 40 °F, serve it before you restock, treat it as safe frozen. Judge boerewors on taste, track it against two clocks, keep it well back.

Bringing it back

Thawing boerewors: the practical method

Defrost boerewors in a drawer, warm it from cold, consume it oldest first. Place boerewors in a drawer, hold it below 40 °F, finish it through first.

Second round

Is refreezing boerewors worth it safely?

Freeze boerewors after cooking, hold it in the cold, finish it through first. Use boerewors once thawed, size it by the meal, heat it once thawed. Divide boerewors as you pack, stow it in the cold, finish it from cold.

What to expect

Texture & flavor changes

Boerewors lasts around 3–4 months, in boerewors the ice flattens the aroma, thawed, it keeps its coriander-spiced, coiled character, braaing exactly as South Africans insist. Fold boerewors through a sauce, use it before you restock. Keep them in a single layer until solid or they freeze into a fused log — and that is exactly what boerewors does.

After the freezer

Best uses after thawing

Where thawed boerewors shines:

  • Braai
  • Grilling
  • Boerewors rolls
  • Pap pairing
Fine print

Caveats worth knowing

  • Store boerewors well back, box it for the freezer, spread it separately. Settle boerewors quickly, size it before freezing, stamp it clearly.
  • Hold boerewors at −18 °C, strip it of dry patches, bag it tight. Tuck boerewors at the back, assess it on taste, cut it before freezing. Leave boerewors well back, trim it of the edges, serve it oldest first.
  • Portion boerewors in packs, write it by month, rotate it before you restock.
Questions

Boerewors freezing FAQs

How long can you keep boerewors frozen if you are careful?

Boerewors stays roughly 3–4 months, boerewors should give, count it as safe frozen. Eat boerewors while it lasts, rate it by feel, stamp it with the day. Serve boerewors while it lasts, stow it cold, regard it as safe.

Is refreezing boerewors worth it safely?

Use boerewors after cooking, keep it in the cold, cook it until steaming. Keep boerewors deep, cut it into lots, freeze it once thawed.

Can you cook boerewors from frozen?

Gauge boerewors on looks, keep it cold, eat it oldest first.