Beef summer sausage is a semi-dry, cured, and often smoked sausage made primarily from beef, seasoned with spices and curing salts, that can be stored at room temperature for extended periods without refrigeration. The process of curing, drying, and often smoking the sausage lowers the pH and inhibits bacterial growth, allowing it to be shelf-stable without needing refrigeration. The resulting sausage has a semi-dry texture and a savory, often tangy flavor, influenced by the spices and curing process.