Cured sausage does not need to be refrigerated.
However if it's simply smoked sausage that has not been cured then it needs refrigeration but cured sausage can remain at room temperature.
Smoked and dried sausage that has been cured does not need refrigerated but if the sausage is just smoked sausage it needs refrigeration.
If the sausage is dry cured (like pepperoni or salami) you can store it either at room temperature (for up to six weeks if unopened) or in the fridge (indefinitely if unopened or for up to three weeks if opened).
Smoked and dried sausage does not need to be refrigerated and can be left out at room temperature.
Properly stored, a package of unopened dry sausage will generally stay at best quality for about 1 month at room temperature.
You can leave smoked sausage out at room temperature if the smoked sausage has been cured.
Cured Smoked sausage can be left out overnight or left out without refrigeration.
Smoked Sausage that has been cured can be left out overnight.
However if it's just simple smoked sausage then it cannot and should not be left out overnight or it could grow bacteria and make you sick.
For simple smoked meats that are not cured they can be left out for at least 2 hours and after that they need refrigeration.
Smoked meat does need refrigeration to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Smoking the meat does not prevent bacteria from growing on the meat so it must be refrigerated within 2 hours.
Before refrigeration people used a combination of smoking, curing and drying to preserve meat.
Today we simply smoke it without curing or drying, so it needs to be refrigerated because moisture promotes the growth of bacteria.
Smoked meat can be kept for four days, as long as it was refrigerated within two hours of being removed from the smoker.
If you properly wrap and freeze your smoked meat, it can last up to three months.
Meat that has been smoked will be safe to eat for up to four days after it has been cooked.
The meat must be stored in the fridge within two hours of cooking.
If you want to save the meat longer, you can wrap it tightly, place it in an air-tight container and freeze it.
How do you know if smoked meat is bad?
Smell is perhaps the quickest and most reliable indicator.
Meat that is off will have a nasty smell that immediately makes you turn away.
Keep in mind that just because there isn't a rotten smell doesn't mean it's safe.