How Long Can Cooked Hamburgers Be Left Out at Room Temperature?

 

Question: How long can you let cooked hamburgers sit out before they become unsafe to eat?

Answer: You can safely leave cooked hamburgers out at room temperature for two hours -- or one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit -- says the United States Department of Agriculture.

Cooked burgers that have been sitting out for longer than 2 hours (or 1 hour above 90° F) should be discarded. The reason is that bacteria grow rapidly when cooked ground beef is kept at temperatures between 40° F and 140° F. To prevent foodborne illness, try to refrigerate the cooked burgers as soon as you can.

You can safely keep cooked hamburgers in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days; they’ll also keep well in the freezer for at least 2-3 months.

See Also:
How Long Does Cooked Ground Beef Last in the Fridge or Freezer?

How Long Does Raw Ground Beef Last in the Fridge?

Is Raw Ground Beef OK If It’s Turning Brown?

 

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