How Long Do Beef Burgers Last in the Fridge
In this article, we will answer the question "How long do burgers last in the fridge?", and how long can you keep thawed ground beef in the fridge?
How long do burgers last in the fridge?
The shelf-life of burgers is dependent on the most perishable ingredient. Generally, properly stored burgers last 5-6 days in the fridge.
| Unopened/Uncooked | Fridge | Freezer |
| Past printed date | Past printed date | |
| Ground beef | 1-2 days | 6-8 months |
| Ground turkey | 1 day | 6-8 months |
| Opened/Cooked | Fridge | Freezer |
| Hamburgers | 5-6 days | 4-6 months |
How long can uncooked hamburger meat stay in the fridge?
Raw or uncooked hamburger meat will only last 1-2 days in the fridge and 3-4 months in the freezer If stored correctly. The same goes for the uncooked turkey, veal, pork, lamb, and mixtures of these meats.
How long can you keep thawed ground beef in the fridge?
As per the USDA, thawed ground beef can be safely kept for 1-2 days in the fridge. However, this only applies if the ground beef was thawed in the fridge overnight.
Ground beef thawed by quick methods, such as in the microwave or under the tap water, must be cooked immediately after thawing.
How to refreeze ground beef safely?
Meat is a perishable food commodity. But when it is ground, it is naturally exposed to a lot of spoilage and disease-causing microbes. The surface area of the ground beef adds to the vulnerability.
If you thawed your ground beef, whether cooked or uncooked, in a refrigerator then It will be safe to use within 3-4 days. You can either cook it or toss it back into the freezer.
But If it had been thawed out in the open and kept there for more than 2 hours or 1 hour in case the temperature was above 32 degrees Celcius, it is likely to have become unsafe for consumption. Whether your meat is cooked or not, always use a heavy-duty plastic/aluminum bag to contain it.
If you are not using vacuum-sealed bags then squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag. This creates a vacuum-like environment with minimum air contact. Raw ground meat will stay fresh for 3-4 months in the freezer.
How to thaw ground beef?
- Plan ahead and always try to defrost your meat(cooked or uncooked) in the refrigerator. Refrigeration temperature will prevent the bacteria from multiplying.
- If you are in a hurry and want to cook meat, opt for a microwave. Just put your meat on a microwave-friendly plate and remove it once thawed completely.
Note that this method is applicable only when you are going to cook it immediately after.
Defrosting in the microwave deprives the meat of its moisture and when you cook your meat, it feels very chewy.
- The third way is to put your meat in a plastic bag. Seal it tight. Put the bag in a container and fill it with water. Keep changing the water after regular intervals. Cook your meat immediately after thawing.
Never thaw your meat on a tabletop or counter or at room temperature. That's just a very bad idea because you are giving bacteria the perfect chance to grow to unacceptable levels.
Cold food storage chart
It should be noted that frozen meats will last indefinitely provided the temperature is maintained at 0 °F or below. The following time frames indicate peak quality.
| Food | Type | Refrigerator (40 °F or below) | Freezer (0 °F or below) |
| Hot dogs | Opened package Unopened package | 1 week2 weeks | 1-2 months1-2 months |
| Luncheon meat | Opened package or deli-slicedUnopened package | 3-5 days 2 weeks | 1-2 months 1-2 months |
| Bacon and sausage | Bacon Sausage, raw, from chicken, turkey, pork, or beef Sausage, fully cooked, from chicken, turkey, pork, or beef Sausage purchased frozen | 1 week 1-2 days 1 week After cooking, 3-4 days | 1 month 1-2 months 1-2 months 1-2 months from date of purchase |
| Hamburger, ground meats, and ground poultry | Hamburger, ground beef, turkey, chicken, other poultry, veal, pork, lamb, and mixtures of them | 1-2 days | 3-4 months |
| Fresh beef, veal, lamb, and pork | Steaks Chops Roasts | 3-5 days 3-5 days 3-5 days | 4-12 months4-12 months4-12 months |
| Ham | Fresh, uncured, uncooked Fresh, uncured, cooked Cured, cook-before-eating, uncooked Fully-cooked, vacuum-sealed at the plant, unopenedCooked, store-wrapped, whole Cooked, store-wrapped, slices, half, or spiral cut Country ham, cooked Canned, labeled "Keep Refrigerated," unopened Canned, shelf-stable, opened Prosciutto, Parma or Serrano ham, dry Italian or Spanish type, cut | 3-5 days 3-4 days 5 to 7 days or "use by" date 2 weeks or "use by" date 3-5 days 1 week 3-4 days 2-3 months |
Other FAQs about Burgers that you may be interested in.
Can you cook frozen hamburger patties in the oven?
How long can thawed hamburger stay in the fridge?
How long can uncooked hamburger meat stay in the fridge?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question "How long do burgers last in the fridge?", and how long can you keep thawed ground beef in the fridge?
References
Hi, I am Charlotte, I love cooking and in my previous life, I was a chef. I bring some of my experience to the recipes on this hub and answer your food questions.
Source: https://thewholeportion.com/how-long-do-burgers-last-in-the-fridge/
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