How long does cooked hamburger meat last in the fridge?

In this article, we will answer the question, “How long does cooked hamburger meat last in the fridge?” and discuss the factors that cause hamburgers to spoil and ways that slow down the spoilage of the hamburger meat and the whole hamburger.

How long does cooked hamburger meat last in the fridge?

The cooked refrigerated hamburger meat will stay edible in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can store the cooked hamburger after having cooked them at 160°F (71°C) in the case of a beef burger or at 165°F (74°C) in the case of a poultry burger (1). 

Store the cooked burger within 2 hours after it has been cooked and use a food container with a lid to maintain its quality. 

What determines how long hamburger meat lasts in the fridge?

What determines how long cooked hamburger meat lasts in the fridge are the factors below (2,3):

  • The storage temperature is one of the most important factors determining the shelf life of meat. At low temperatures of storage, both microbial growth is reduced as well as chemical and enzymatic reactions are slowed.
  • The addition of natural and artificial preservatives: salt acts as a natural preservative in meat, as it can partially inhibit the growth of microorganisms. 
  • Spices, such as onion and pepper, contain essential oils which act as preservatives and are able to extend the shelf life of meat. In addition, nitrites and phosphates can be added in the meat to extend its shelf life.
  • The packaging material used to protect the meat can help reduce the spoilage, as the exposure to oxygen and light accelerates the meat deterioration through faster lipid oxidation.
  • Poor hygienic practices by the handling of meat can lead to contamination by pathogenic microorganisms and reduce the shelf life. Similarly, the use of improperly sanitized equipment is also a source of contamination and accelerated spoilage.

Can spoiled cooked hamburger meat make you sick?

Yes, spoiled cooked hamburger meat can make you sick. Meat is susceptible to contamination by several bacteria, yeast, molds and parasites which are able to cause foodborne diseases (3).

The consumption of spoiled ground meat has been reported to cause many food outbreaks in the past years in Europe and the United States, especially due to the bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7, which infection in individuals who ate contaminated meat caused hospitalizations and even death.

Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes are other common pathogens found in ground meat, as well as parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, especially in the case of undercooked meat

How to know if cooked hamburger meat is spoiled?

To know if cooked hamburger meat is spoiled, you should be able to identify the possible signs of spoilage, which include (5,6):

  • Generation of off-odors and off-flavors, such as rancid, acid, ammonia-like, sulfuric and putrid, due to oxidation of lipids and amino acid degradation. Oxidation can be caused by enzymatic and chemical reactions as well as by microbial action
  • Discoloration, due to pigment loss can occur due to oxidation
  • Generation of a greenish surface can indicate microbial spoilage
  • Production of gas or slime formation
  • Changes in the texture

How to extend the shelf life of cooked hamburger meat?

To extend the shelf life of cooked hamburger meat, you should store it in the freezer. Freezing can significantly reduce the microbial growth, as well as reduce the enzymatic and chemical reactions that occur in food, leading to spoilage (2,3).

Place the cooked hamburger meat in a food freezing bag or wrap the meat with plastic freezing foil, with reduced oxygen and store it in the freezer for 4 months (1).

Other FAQs about Burgers which you may be interested in.

How long to cook frozen burgers in the oven?

How long does cooked hamburger meat last in the fridge?

How long can hamburgers stay in the fridge?

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question, “How long does cooked hamburger meat last in the fridge?” and discussed the factors that cause hamburgers to spoil and ways that slow down the spoilage of the hamburger meat and the whole hamburger.

Citations

  1. Van, D. Food Safety for Hamburgers and Tailgating. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
  2. Soares, K.S.; Souza, M.P.; Silva-Filho, E.C.; Barud, H.S.; Ribeiro, C.A.; Santos, D.D.; Rocha, K.N.S.; de Moura, J.F.P.; Oliveira, R.L.; Bezerra, L.R. Effect of Edible Onion (Allium cepa L.) Film on Quality, Sensory Properties and Shelf Life of Beef Burger Patties. Molecules 2021, 26, 7202. 
  3. Weiss, Jochen, et al. Advances in ingredient and processing systems for meat and meat products. Meat sci, 2010, 86, 196-213.
  4. Newell DG, Koopmans M, Verhoef L, Duizer E, Aidara-Kane A, Sprong H, Opsteegh M, Langelaar M, Threfall J, Scheutz F, van der Giessen J, Kruse H. Food-borne diseases – the challenges of 20 years ago still persist while new ones continue to emerge. Int J Food Microbiol 2010, 139, S3-15.
  5. Dave, D., and Abdel E. Ghaly. Meat spoilage mechanisms and preservation techniques: a critical review. Am J Agric Biol Sci, 2011, 6, 486-510.
  6. Sayas-Barberá, E.; Martín-Sánchez, A.M.; Cherif, S.; Ben-Abda, J.; Pérez-Álvarez, J.Á. Effect of Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Pits on the Shelf Life of Beef Burgers. Foods 2020, 9, 102.