How Long Do Cooked Burgers Last In The Fridge? With Proper Storage (2024)

Have some leftover burger patties from a BBQ? With proper storage, cooked burgers can stay fresh in the fridge for longer using these simple storing and reheating instructions!

How Long Do Cooked Burgers Last In The Fridge? With Proper Storage (1)

How long do cooked burgers last in the fridge? This can depend on the type of burger and how well it’s stored, but generally, a cooked burger patty will last for up to 4 days stored in the refrigerator.

When storing raw ground beef, it’s safe to say it has a shelf life of 1-2 days, so cooked burgers will last a bit longer. How you store the burgers also affects how long they’ll stay fresh.

For example, if you just throw cooked burgers in the fridge without storing them properly, they won’t be as delicious when reheated!

🐄Cooked Burger Storage

The following burgers can last up to 4 days if properly stored using the instructions below:

  • Turkey Burgers
  • Bison Burgers
  • Lamb Burgers
  • Chicken Burgers
  • Veggie Burgers
  • Impossible Burgers
  • Beyond Burgers
  • Black Bean Burgers
  • Bratwurst Burgers

🍔How To Store Cooked Burgers In The Fridge

To get the most out of your burgers, follow these simple steps on how to store cooked burgers in the refrigerator.

Let the burgers cool: The importance of letting the burgers cool is key. Adding a hot burger to the fridge will cause it to sweat and create more moisture. This extra moisture will make the burger less flavorful, and cause it to spoil quicker. It also will put the temperature of the food in the fridge in the danger zone for bacteria growth.

Wrap each burger: Once the burgers have cooled, it’s time to wrap them up! For best results, we recommend wrapping each burger in plastic wrap or placing them in a zip-top bag. This will help to keep the burgers fresh and prevent them from drying out.

Label the bags: An often overlooked step, but an important one nonetheless. Be sure to label each bag with the date that the burgers were cooked. This will help you to keep track of how long they’ve been in the fridge and ensure that you don’t eat any that are past their prime.

Place on a plate or tray: Once the burgers are wrapped and labeled, it’s time to store them in the fridge. Place the wrapped burgers in a single layer on a plate or tray. This will help to keep them from squishing each other and becoming misshapen.

Reheating: When you’re ready to eat, reheat the burgers in the microwave or on the stove until they’re hot all the way through. Do not reheat more than once! Reheating multiple times can cause the burgers to dry out and become rubbery. You can also reheat them in the air fryer.

Now that you know how to store cooked burgers, enjoy them within 4 days!

FAQ

Is cooked hamburger good after 5 days?

Generally, no. They may be safe to eat but the texture is dry and the flavor is not as good.

Can I freeze cooked burgers?

Yes, you can freeze cooked burgers! We recommend freezing them in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate, then transferring to a freezer bag once frozen. This will help to prevent them from sticking together. Label the bag with the date and they’ll be good for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat until hot all the way through.

How can you tell if a cooked hamburger is bad?

The best way to tell if a cooked hamburger is bad is by the smell. If it smells off or different than when it was cooked, it’s probably not good to eat. You can also check for mold or discoloration. If you see either of these, it’s best to discard the burger.

How long is leftover cooked ground beef good for?

Cooked ground beef is only good for 3-4 days in the fridge. So if you have leftovers, be sure to eat them within that time frame. After that, they should be thrown out.

👩🏻‍🍳Try These Delicious Burger Recipes

  • Air Fryer Frozen Burgers or Turkey Burgers
  • Blackened Salmon Burger
  • Air Fryer White Castle Burgers
  • Chili Lime Chicken Burgers (Trader Joe’s Copycat)
  • Cilantro Lime Shrimp Burger
  • Air Fryer Frozen Veggie Burger

👩🏻‍🍳 Did You Enjoy This Recipe? 💗

Please leave a ⭐ rating in the recipe card.

Follow me onInstagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more recipes!

How Long Do Cooked Burgers Last In The Fridge? With Proper Storage (2)

Print Recipe

No ratings yet

How To Store Cooked Burgers In The Fridge | For Maximum Freshness!

Have some leftover burger patties from a BBQ? With proper storage, cooked burgers can stay fresh in the fridge for longer using these simple storing and reheating instructions!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Course: BBQ, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how long are cooked burgers good for?, how long to store cooked burgers in the fridge, how to store cooked burgers, how to store cooked ground beef

Servings: 2 burgers

Author: Valerie Skinner

Equipment

  • plastic wrap

Ingredients

  • 4 Hamburgers

Instructions

  • Let the burgers cool: The importance of letting the burgers cool is key. Adding a hot burger to the fridge will cause it to sweat and create more moisture. This extra moisture will make the burger less flavorful, and cause it to spoil quicker. It also will put the temperature of the food in the fridge in the danger zone for bacteria growth.

  • Wrap each burger: Once the burgers have cooled, it's time to wrap them up! For best results, we recommend wrapping each burger in plastic wrap or placing them in a zip-top bag. This will help to keep the burgers fresh and prevent them from drying out.

  • Label the bags: An often overlooked step, but an important one nonetheless. Be sure to label each bag with the date that the burgers were cooked. This will help you to keep track of how long they've been in the fridge and ensure that you don't eat any that are past their prime.

  • Place on a plate or tray: Once the burgers are wrapped and labeled, it's time to store them in the fridge. Place the wrapped burgers in a single layer on a plate or tray. This will help to keep them from squishing each other and becoming misshapen.

  • Reheating: When you're ready to eat, reheat the burgers in the microwave or on the stove until they're hot all the way through. Do not reheat more than once! Reheating multiple times can cause the burgers to dry out and become rubbery. You can also reheat them in the air fryer.

How Long Do Cooked Burgers Last In The Fridge? With Proper Storage (2024)

FAQs

How Long Do Cooked Burgers Last In The Fridge? With Proper Storage? ›

If ground beef is refrigerated promptly after cooking (within 2 hours; 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F), it can be safely refrigerated for about 3 or 4 days. If frozen, it should keep its quality for about 4 months.

How long can a cooked burger keep in the fridge? ›

USDA recommends using cooked beef within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days.

How long will hamburger last in the refrigerator? ›

1 to 2 days

Can you eat ground beef after 7 days in the fridge? ›

Raw ground beef is generally safe to consume within 1 to 2 days of refrigeration. After 4 days, there's an increased risk of bacterial growth and spoilage. To ensure food safety, it's best to cook or freeze raw ground beef within a couple of days of purchasing it.

How long can fresh made burgers stay in the fridge? ›

How long does a hamburger last in the fridge? Uncooked, about 24 hours. It should be cooked the following day at the latest. Cooked, it's usually safe for about 3 days assuming it's fully cooked through and kept at refrigerator temperatures.

How long is cooked meat good in the refrigerator? ›

Leftover cooked meat will last three to four days in the refrigerator and two to six months in the freezer. If you've thawed your meat and have too much, it's possible to refreeze meat—but it's best to limit it.

Can I eat a burger from 5 days ago? ›

Myth: Leftovers are safe to eat if they look and smell okay.

The types of bacteria that do cause illness don't affect the taste, smell, or appearance of food. This is why it's important to freeze or toss refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days.

Is a 5 day old hamburger safe to eat? ›

Beef safety

Keep wrapped meat on a plate or pan to catch drips that might contaminate other foods. Generally, you can expect to be able to use ground beef one to three days after the sell-by date depending on how it has been handled. Steaks will likely be good for another day or two.

How to tell if cooked meat is bad? ›

If your leftover cooked beef smells or looks off, throw it out rather than eating it—it's just not worth the risk! The meat should have a similar texture and smell as the day you cooked it. A slimy or mushy feel, a green tint, or a sour or rotten-egg smell are all signs that your meat is probably spoiled.

How to tell if hamburger is bad? ›

If you open the package and the meat feels or looks slimy, that's a problem,” states Dr. Craggs-Dino. “Fresh ground beef should be a little firm to the touch and crumbly. But if it's sticky and looks wet, that's not so good.

Is hamburger ok to eat if it turns brown? ›

This darkening is due to oxidation, the chemical changes in myoglobin due to the oxygen content. This is a normal change during refrigerator storage. Beef that has turned brown during extended storage may be spoiled, have an off-odor, and be tacky to the touch and should not be used.

Can you eat beef after 6 days in fridge? ›

Mar 23, 2023

Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days. After cooking, meat, poultry and seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days.

How long is meatloaf good in the fridge? ›

While it is great that you can reuse the meatloaf for multiple meals, it is essential to know how long you have to eat it all. So, how long will meatloaf last in the refrigerator? Meatloaf generally stays good for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, but only when properly stored.

How long is a cooked burger good in the fridge? ›

If it is refrigerated promptly (within two hours at room temperature; or one hour if surrounding temperature is above 90 °F), it can be safely kept for about three or four days stored in the refrigerator (40 F or less). If frozen, it should keep its quality for about four months.

Can you eat a burger that's been in the fridge for 3 days? ›

After you've cooked the ground beef to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees, you have about three to four days to eat it. You can also store a meal with cooked ground beef in the freezer for about four months without compromising the quality, the USDA says.

Is 2 year old frozen ground beef still good? ›

Ground beef can be frozen indefinitely, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, it is recommended to use ground beef within four months of freezing, as the quality of the meat will begin to deteriorate over time. Ground beef that has been frozen for too long may not be as flavorful.

Is a 4 day old burger safe to eat? ›

If it is refrigerated promptly (within two hours at room temperature; or one hour if surrounding temperature is above 90 °F), it can be safely kept for about three or four days stored in the refrigerator (40 F or less).

Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

Leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning goes up. If you don't think you'll be able to eat leftovers within four days, freeze them right away. Frozen leftovers will stay safe for a long time.

Is raw hamburger good in the fridge for 5 days? ›

For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nicola Considine CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6642

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nicola Considine CPA

Birthday: 1993-02-26

Address: 3809 Clinton Inlet, East Aleisha, UT 46318-2392

Phone: +2681424145499

Job: Government Technician

Hobby: Calligraphy, Lego building, Worldbuilding, Shooting, Bird watching, Shopping, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.