How Long Do Cooked Veggie Burgers Last In The Fridge (2024)

You may have heard of the Impossible Burger; it is a relatively new food product made from plant-based materials and gaining in popularity thanks to its meat-like texture and flavor.

As with other lite life veggie burgers or other brands, what happens if you cook too many and don’t eat them. Can you store it in the fridge and eat it later like you could with a fresh meat burger?

Once you open frozen veggie burgers, the freshness will fade, yet this is the same for any frozen burgers, and you need to stick to the best by date on the label. You can store an unopened package in your fridge for up to 2 weeks. (Read Are Wrinkled Blueberries Still Good)

In our guide, you can learn more about how long a cooked burger will last in the fridge? By the end, you’ll learn more and how you can easily make homemade black bean burgers.

How Long Do Cooked Veggie Burgers Last In The Fridge (1)

Do Veggie Burgers Go Bad In The Fridge?

Any veggie-based burgers should be kept frozen or refrigerated because they are perishable.

If not opened, keep frozen burgers in the refrigerator for a minimum of 10 days or three days after opening.

Eat your burger within two hours of cooking it, or store it in the fridge for up to three days. Freezing is the best option if you want to keep your burger for a more extended period, either cooked or raw. Plant-based burgers will stay fresh and frozen for up to 273 days.

Food poisoning can occur when meals go bad; can the same happen with these vegetable patties?

You risk getting food poisoning when eating plant-based meats like Impossible hamburgers and meats.

The plant’s distinctive blood element, heme, also known as soy leghemoglobin, has been approved by the FDA as a color enhancer.

However, diarrhea and vomiting are common side effects faced by some individuals.

It’s unclear how often these burgers and other plant-based meats make people sick, yet there are some incidences of food poisoning.

The (CDC) examined an E. coli infection related to Impossible Burgers that affected 11, although this was several years ago. However, they did give the following guidelines at the time.

Ground beef items purchased from grocery shops or restaurants should not be consumed, and retailers should stop selling ground beef products made with Impossible Foods’ plant-based heme component.

How Long Do Cooked Beyond Burgers Last In The Fridge?

The Beyond Meat plant-based burgers stay fresh for around 10 days after being refrigerated. A label with an expiration date on the package should show this.

After you’ve cooked your Beyond Meat plant-based burgers, store them in the fridge for up to three days. Frozen plant-based burgers can be frozen for up to four months. However, this is not suggested because freezing could cause freezer burn and alter the texture.

Preheating your grill, pan, or oven to medium heat is the first step in making a Beyond Burger.

Then, on the frying surface, place the plant-based burger and cook it for about three minutes per side.

When the plant-based burger is done, serve it with your favorite toppings on a bun. (Learn How Long Does Pastrami Last In Fridge)

Can You Refrigerate Cooked Beyond Burger?

The veggie burgers deteriorate after three days in the fridge if opened. Unopened plant-based burger packages can be refrigerated in the fridge for 10 days.

Beyond Meat, plant-based burgers can be frozen for two months. Always cook burgers before eating them, whether made from plants or animals.

You should cook plant-based burgers until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.; animal-based burgers should be cooked until the meat juices run clear and the internal temperature is 160°F.

How Long Do Cooked Veggie Burgers Last In The Fridge (2)

How Do You Reheat A Veggie Burger?

The best way to enjoy the Impossible Burger is to eat it hot, right after it’s been cooked.

However, reheat a plant-based burger the same way you would leftover ground beef, or cook as you would a raw hamburger.

Oven:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
  2. Place your plant-based burgers on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
  3. Reheat for 10 minutes or until well heated.
  4. Serve with your preferred toppings on a bun.

Microwave

  1. If you’re short on time, try the following:
  2. Place the patties in a covered dish with some water at the bottom.
  3. Heat for two to three minutes on high or until well warmed.
  4. Drain any surplus water before continuing to serve as usual.

Does Impossible Burger spoil?

The Impossible Burger should be frozen or refrigerated when not in use. If not opened, keep frozen Impossible Burger in the refrigerator for at least 10 days, or your plant-based burgers will stay fresh for three days after opening.

The cooked Impossible Burger will keep for three months in the freezer, while raw patties will keep for six months.

When you’re ready to cook your burger, place it in the refrigerator overnight to defrost before cooking as usual.

Beyond Meat advises against eating plant-based burgers uncooked. Besides a small amount of coconut oil, the Beyond Burger is gluten-free of soy, and tree nuts, making it ideal for allergy sufferers.

How Long Do Cooked Veggie Burgers Last In The Fridge (3)

How To Make DIY Black Bean Burgers

Black beans make the ultimate veggie burgers and are nutritious and a low-fat alternative to regular ground beef burgers.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (15 ounces) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
  • ½ small red onion, chopped
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 small jalapeño, deseeded and chopped
  • ¼ cup frozen corn, thawed
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

  1. In a food processor, combine the black beans, red onion, and eggs. Blend until a chunky hummus-like texture is achieved, leaving some large or entire black bean pieces.
  2. Combine the black bean mixture with the remaining ingredients in a mixing dish.
  3. Make 4 patties out of the mixture.
  4. In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
  5. In the pan, place the patties.
  6. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
  7. Place on a wire rack for a second or two.
  8. Serve your black bean burger immediately with smashed avocado, tomato, and lettuce on a whole-wheat bun.

The shelf life of a black bean burger is typically 8 to 10 days in the fridge, like plant-based burgers.

These burgers should stay in the refrigerator once opened, and we recommend freezing and they will stay in a frozen state before burgers go bad.

Many wonders, “How long would black bean burgers last in the freezer?” The answer to this question depends on the burger’s type and preparation method.

If stored correctly, cooked black beans can last 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. How long can you keep uncooked black bean burgers in the refrigerator before burgers go bad?

Make-ahead tip: Cooked or uncooked black bean burgers can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Stack between parchment paper and then put in a freezer container or a zip loc bag.

Thaw and reheat to taste in the refrigerator or cold water. Cook according to directions and the best by date if uncooked. (Read Do You Need Oil For Bacon)

After a week, can I eat cooked meat?

Cook once and eat for the rest of the week with no worries. Most meat, such as cooked beef or chicken leftovers, chili, soups, pizza, casseroles, and stew, can be kept for three to four days in the fridge before freshness starts to wane.

Is cooked ground beef safe to eat after 5 days?

If chilled quickly after cooking (within 2 hours; 1 hour if the temperature is over 90 °F), ground beef can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. However, if properly stored frozen, it should stay fresh for around 4 months.

How Long Do Cooked Veggie Burgers Last In The Fridge (4)

How Long Do Cooked Veggie Burgers Last In The Fridge (2024)

FAQs

How Long Do Cooked Veggie Burgers Last In The Fridge? ›

To store - They keep well in the fridge for four to five days whether cooked or uncooked. Be sure to keep them wrapped well or in an airtight container so they don't dry out. To freeze uncooked burgers- Lay uncooked patties out on a parchment paper-lined baking tray and pop the whole thing in the freezer.

How long does cooked veggie burgers last in the fridge? ›

These burgers will keep up to 3 days in the fridge, so they can be made ahead of time. After cooking, cool them on a wire rack, then refrigerate or freeze them.

Can you refrigerate cooked veggie burger? ›

They can also be grilled in advance and stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days - they reheat surprisingly well. You can also freeze the cooked burgers. Allow them to cool completely after cooking. Transfer them to an airtight container or bag, and freeze them for up to 3 months.

How long do cooked black bean burgers last in fridge? ›

How to store: Store the burgers, buns, and any toppings separately in airtight containers. The black bean patties will last up to for 4-6 days in the fridge. Buns are best kept at room temperature for a few days. I would also recommend that you wait to heat the buns until you're ready to eat them.

How much can a cooked burger last 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).

Are leftovers good after 7 days? ›

According to the FDA Food Code, all perishable foods that are opened or prepared should be thrown out after 7 days, maximum. No leftovers should survive in your fridge for longer than that. Some foods should be even be thrown away before the 7 day mark.

Can you reheat veggie burgers? ›

In fact, most purchased veggie burgers are already fully cooked and are just being reheated when you make them anyway. For reheating a homemade or commercial veggie burger, remove from the packaging or bun (and remove any salad or cheese that was in the bun), and place in the oven or microwave to reheat slowly.

How long to reheat veggie burger? ›

IN THE MICROWAVE*

Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute 15 seconds – 1 minute 30 seconds, turning burger over halfway through heating time. Microwaving more than 1 burger at one time is not recommended. * Heating instructions developed using 1100 watt microwave. Microwave ovens vary.

How do you store cooked burgers in the fridge? ›

How to Store Cooked Beef
  1. Cooked beef should be stored in the refrigerator1. ...
  2. Once it's no longer hot, wrap the meat tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it. ...
  3. Once refrigerated, cooked beef should be eaten within three to four days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Jul 12, 2023

How do you reheat homemade veggie burgers? ›

To reheat:
  1. From the fridge: Cook in the microwave on High for 60 seconds OR heat in a pan on the stove over medium heat for 3 minutes on each side.
  2. From the freezer: Cook in the microwave on High for 90 seconds OR heat in a pan on the stove over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side.
May 17, 2018

How do you know if burgers have gone bad? ›

Touch the ground beef. If it's slimy, that's not normal. Smell and visually examine at your ground beef, and if it's brown or an off odor, those could be signs that your ground beef is spoiled. Always remember — when in doubt, throw it out!

Is a burger good after a week in the fridge? ›

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.

How long does it take for cooked beans to go bad in the fridge? ›

Store cooked beans in a covered container that is not made from metal in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Also try storing cooked beans in smaller one to two cup portions, for ease of use in recipes.

Can you eat cooked hamburger after 5 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days. There are two different families of bacteria: pathogenic bacteria, the kind that cause foodborne illness, and spoilage bacteria, the kind of bacteria that cause foods to deteriorate and develop unpleasant odors, tastes, and textures.

Can you eat cooked meat after 5 days? ›

Here are guides to determine how long cooked meat leftovers can be safely eaten: Cooked ground beef or turkey: 3 to 4 days. Deli meat: 3 to 5 days. Cooked pork: 3 to 4 days.

How long does rice last in the fridge? ›

Rice is best eaten as soon after cooking as possible, i.e. the next day, but generally, cooked rice, if cooled and stored correctly, lasts three to five days. The USA Rice Federation recommends only storing cooked rice leftovers for set periods: In the fridge, cooked rice leftovers may be stored for 3 to 5 days.

Is cooked hamburger good after 5 days? ›

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.

Can you eat cooked veg 3 days later? ›

Answer From Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. 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.

How long do cooked beyond burgers last in the fridge? ›

The usual food safety guidelines are 3 days, but it is usually fine for about five, if it was chilled quickly after cooking. How long does vegan meat last in the fridge? Well, Beyond Meat claims that their product is good for up to THREE days once thawed and in the fridge.

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