How Long Do Cooked Burgers Last In The Fridge?
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? 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
How To Store Cooked Burgers In The Fridge | For Maximum Freshness!
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.