Can You Reheat Sausages?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against FSA/NHS reheating guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes, you can reheat sausages — but only once, and it must reach 75°C (165°F) and be piping hot all the way through.
What makes it safe (or not)
Reheating sausages is safe when you follow the core food safety rules. The risk comes from bacteria that multiply while food sits in the 'danger zone' between 8°C and 63°C — so what matters is how quickly it was cooled, how it was stored, and whether reheating gets it properly hot. Each reheat cycle gives bacteria another trip through the danger zone, which is why the FSA advises reheating food only once.
You can also check the calorie content of sausages alongside their safety information.
Four ways to reheat sausages
| Method | How | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Oven | 200°C for 10 to 15 minutes on a lined tray (Greedy Gourmet); 180°C for 10 to 15 minutes loosely covered with foil (Better Homes & Gardens) | Greedy Gourmet, 2022; BHG, 9 Feb 2026 |
| Frying pan | Low to medium heat, a little oil, turning often, 5 to 7 minutes | Both |
| Microwave | Medium power for 1 to 2 minutes under a damp paper towel (BHG); 1 minute then 1-minute bursts (Greedy Gourmet); turn halfway | Both |
| Air fryer | 180°C for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking halfway | BHG |
How hot? The sources disagree
| Source | Temperature for reheated sausages or cooked meat |
|---|---|
| Bromley council leaflet (for caterers) | Reheat quickly to a minimum of 75°C at the thickest part of the meat; reheat only once |
| Birds Eye | Piping hot, about 75°C for 2 minutes; reheat once only |
| Which? (quoting the FSA), 17 Dec 2025 | Chicken: at least 75°C for 30 seconds; no thermometer: cut open and check it is steaming hot throughout |
| Greedy Gourmet, 2022 | Cooked sausages should reach 82°C (180°F) |
| BHG, quoting NSW Food Authority (Australia) | 71°C |
Three UK sources say 75°C. Two others range from 71°C to 82°C, with no explanation. We use 75°C, steaming hot all the way through, because it is what the UK sources agree on.
Before you reheat: how old are they?
| Source | Fridge life of cooked sausages |
|---|---|
| Food Standards Agency (general leftovers) | 48 hours; or freeze |
| Which? | 2 to 3 days |
| Greedy Gourmet and BHG (blogs; BHG says leftovers 3 to 4 days) | 3 to 4 days |
We follow the 48 hours. Both blogs also say sausages can technically be reheated more than once (Greedy Gourmet: it dries them out); the FSA recommends once, which is also what Which? and High Speed Training report. See how long cooked sausages last in the fridge and freezing cooked sausages.
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- Greedy Gourmet: Can you reheat sausages? (Michelle Minnaar; published 8 March 2022, modified 4 June 2024) — oven 200C, pan, microwave, steaming; 82C; 3-4 days; can technically be reheated more than once
- Better Homes & Gardens Australia: How long can you keep cooked sausage? (Rhys McKay, 9 February 2026) — oven 180C foil; microwave damp paper towel; air fryer; leftovers 3-4 days; NSW 71C; reheat once
- London Borough of Bromley: Clostridium perfringens leaflet for food businesses (no date shown) — 75C at thickest part; once only
- Birds Eye: Making the most of your frozen leftovers (no date shown) — piping hot about 75C for 2 minutes; once
- Which?: Revealed, the best ways to reheat your takeaways (17 December 2025, Tom Morgan) — chicken 75C for 30 seconds (FSA); 2-3 days; reheat once
- High Speed Training (UK): How many times can you reheat food safely? (Kristin Guzder; published 4 June 2021, modified 14 May 2025) — FSA recommends reheating once; 75C
- Food Standards Agency: How to chill, freeze and defrost food safely (page text 'Published 18 December 2017'; page metadata shows 2026 updates) — 48 hours; reheat once after freezing cooked food
How to reheat sausages safely
- Take sausages from the fridge and reheat it straight away.
- Reheat in the microwave, oven or pan until steaming hot throughout — 75°C (165°F) in the centre. Stir or turn partway through so there are no cold spots.
- Check the middle: it should be piping hot, not just warm.
- Eat immediately, and throw away anything left over — never reheat sausages twice.
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More kitchen essentials
Oven thermometer
Oven temperatures drift — a thermometer keeps cooking accurate.
Check Price →Sausages: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In pregnancy | Safe if fully cooked |
| Left out overnight | No — throw it away (limit about 2 h) |
| Past the date on the label | No — use-by means use by |
Common questions
Can you reheat sausages twice?
No — the FSA advises reheating food only once. Each additional cooling and reheating cycle gives bacteria more time in the temperature danger zone. Portion it out so you only reheat what you'll eat.
What is the best way to reheat sausages?
Reheat in a hot oven or a pan, turning, or slice them into a sauce; make sure they are steaming hot throughout with no pink or cold centre.
Can you reheat sausages in the microwave?
Yes — the microwave is fine as long as the result is piping hot throughout. Stir halfway, use a cover to trap steam, and let it stand a minute so the heat evens out before checking the centre.
How do I know sausages are hot enough?
The centre should be steaming and too hot to eat straight away — 75°C (165°F) on a food thermometer. If the middle is lukewarm, keep going.
Can you eat sausages cold instead?
If it was properly cooked, cooled within 2 hours, and kept refrigerated, eating it cold within its fridge life is generally fine — the reheat rules exist for reheating, not for chilled eating.
How long can I keep leftover sausages before reheating?
Within 2 days in the fridge is the NHS/FSA advice for cooked leftovers (the US USDA allows 3–4 days). Cool it within 1–2 hours of cooking and keep the fridge at 5°C or below.
Can I freeze sausages instead of reheating it?
Yes. Cooled promptly and frozen in portions, it keeps for around 1–2 months for best quality (USDA FoodKeeper), and stays safe beyond that. Defrost in the fridge, then reheat once until piping hot. See our freezing guide for the details.
Can you reheat sausages more than once?
Greedy Gourmet says it is technically safe to do so but dries them out. The Food Standards Agency, as reported by Which? and High Speed Training, recommends reheating food only once, and so do we.
Is 82°C the right temperature for sausages?
Greedy Gourmet gives 82°C; a council leaflet, Birds Eye and the FSA figure quoted by Which? are all 75°C, and an Australian regulator quoted by BHG gives 71°C. We use 75°C throughout.
Related answers
Primary source: FSA/NHS reheating guidance.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.