Can You Freeze Livermush?
Quick Answer : Can You Freeze Livermush?
People have divided opinions about freezing livermush. But, it is possible to freeze livermush, provided you take the necessary precautions. Livermush is a Southern US pork food prepared using pig heads, spices, and cornmeal. Many people confuse livermush with liver pudding. They are similar, but livermush has a coarser texture because it contains cornmeal. Though it is safe to consume raw, we do not recommend trying it. It tastes better when cooked. Besides, you can freeze livermush in the freezer and finish it later. Here is how you freeze livermush.
How Do You Freeze Livermush?
Many dietary experts do not recommend freezing livermush. But, tests have shown that we can freeze livermush, raw or cooked.
Freezing Raw Livermush
Generally, you get cooked livermush on the departmental store shelves. But raw livermush is also available.
- Please maintain the temperature of the raw livermush you bring home from the market. We suggest keeping it below zero degrees Celsius. Wrap the livermush in clingfilm or plastic wrapper.
- Place the raw livermush in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing it airtight.
- Please write down the freezing date on the bag and push it into the freezer. Please place it deep into the coldest part of the freezer to ensure proper freezing.
Freezing Home-Cooked Livermush
The procedure for freezing raw and cooked livermush is the same. However, please ensure to cool the cooked livermush well before freezing it. Placing the hot or warm livermush inside the freezer can harm other foods freezing there. Besides, the condensation inside the freezer can cause ice crystal formation to make the livermush soggy and unpalatable after freezing.
- Place the cooled and wrapped livermush inside freezer bags. You can cut the meat into appropriate sizes fit for consumption at a time. It saves food from wastage.
- A vacuum sealer removes excess air from the bags before sealing them tight.
- Note the freezing date on the bags and push them deep inside the freezer to freeze the livermush.
Freezing Store-Bought Livermush
Readymade livermush is also available in the market in a packaged form. Unfortunately, the original packaging is not strong enough to sustain the cold temperatures inside the freezer.
- Open the livermush package and wrap it well with plastic covers or aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped livermush in freezer-safe ziplock bags. Remove air before sealing the bags tight.
- Stick the date label on the bags before pushing them into the freezer.
Freezing Sliced Livermush
Store-bought livermush is already cooked. You can slice the meat and freeze it for convenience.
- Open the package and slice the livermush into pieces you can consume in one sitting.
- Wrap each piece with plastic or clingfilm. Wax paper or parchment paper should also be acceptable. First, the idea is not to allow the pieces to stick together. Secondly, it helps keep moisture away.
- Place the wrapped livermush pieces into a freezer bag. Remove air and seal the bags.
- Note the freezing date and keep the bags inside the freezer to freeze.
How Long Can You Freeze Livermush?
Frozen livermush can remain fresh without compromising its texture and taste for three to six months. After that, it depends on the meat quality and how you wrap it before freezing. Exposure to air can cause freezer burn and spoil the meat. So, we recommend checking the frozen livermush and consuming it before three months.
How Do You Defrost Frozen Livermush?
You can defrost the frozen livermush the traditional way by transferring it from the freezer to the fridge overnight. The livermush takes time to thaw, but the defrosting process is complete. But, this defrosting method consumes a lot of time. So, if you have time issues, you can expedite the defrosting process by submerging the freezer bag in a container filled with lukewarm tap water. Please do not defrost the livermush at room temperature.
Can You Refreeze Livermush?
No. We do not recommend refreezing livermush because repeated freezing can disturb its texture and damage it. In addition, the livermush loses its taste.
Can You Reheat Livermush?
You can reheat the livermush in braising sauce because it helps maintain tenderness. So, we recommend reheating the livermush in gentle heat. However, the livermush is already cooked. So, reheating it on high heat can cook it further and make it challenging to consume.
Can You Microwave Livermush?
We suggest adding white wine to a microwave-safe baking dish that can hold the livermush pieces without touching each other. Place the livermush pieces on the plate and cover them tightly with clingfilm. Microwave the livermush on medium power for twenty minutes. The meat should get cooked well to cut with a fork.
How Long Can You Keep The Livermush In The Fridge?
Generally, we recommend consuming the livermush within two hours of cooking it. However, you can refrigerate livermush in the fridge for five days.
Is Livermush Same As Liver Pudding?
Livermush and liver pudding contain similar ingredients. But livermush has a higher proportion of cornmeal than liver pudding. In addition, though it shares various components with scrapple, goetta, souse, etc., livermush is different because it is fully cooked and not smoked.
Are Livermush And Liverwurst The Same?
Liverwurst is similar to livermush in various ways. But, liverwurst is a liver sausage made from pork liver, with spices added to enhance its flavor.
Is Livermush Similar To Braunschweiger?
While both have similar ingredients, Braunschweiger is smoked, whereas livermush is cooked.
Can You Bake Livermush?
Yes. It is possible to bake livermush in the oven preheated to 350 degrees Celsius.
Can You Air Fry Livermush?
Livermush is fully cooked. You can air fry it to crisp it up before consuming it. Thus, you end up using less oil.
Can You Freeze Liverwurst?
You can freeze liverwurst and make it last for two months. It is also possible to refrigerate it for four to six days.
Can You Freeze Liver Pudding?
Yes. You can freeze liver pudding, raw or cooked, in freezer bags placed deep inside the freezer for six months.
Can You Freeze Braunschweiger?
While Braunschweiger tastes best when consumed fresh, you can freeze it. We recommend cutting it into consumable pieces to make it convenient to thaw. Then, wrap the meat with silicone and place it in freezer bags before pushing them into the freezer.
Final Thoughts
While many people feel it is not possible to freeze livermush, we have seen that it can be done. However, we advise consuming the livermush quickly and not leaving it inside the freezer for extended periods.
Image Source : Dale Haas, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
