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The answer might surprise you.
There’s a lot to love about hot dogs, but one of their best qualities is their convenience. You can toss a whole pack on the grill and serve a group, or prepare a single frank for yourself or a loved one. If you’re not careful, that half-eaten package can easily get lost in the refrigerator, only to be fished out days or weeks later.
But just because hot dogs are processed and fully cooked doesn’t mean they can safely stay in the fridge for extended periods. Here’s how long opened hot dogs really last in the refrigerator and how to store them so they stay fresh.
How Long Opened Hot Dogs Last in the Fridge
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), packages of opened hot dogs should be consumed within seven days. It’s important to note that the “best by” date only refers to how long the hot dogs last when unopened.
While the guidelines state that a week is the maximum time you should keep open packs in the refrigerator, it’s important to always use good judgment. If they are discolored, slimy, or have an “off taste” after cooking, it’s best to discard them even before the full seven days.
For reference, it’s advised not to keep cooked hot dogs for more than four days, and unopened packages should be tossed after two weeks.
The Best Way To Store Opened Packs of Hot Dogs
Now that you know how long packages of hot dogs last, you may be wondering about the best way to store them. Luckily, the tried-and-true methods—a storage bag or an airtight container—reign supreme. Simply remove the hot dogs from their packaging and place them in your preferred storage container. There’s no need to add water or include the pack’s remaining liquid. There are also convenient hot dog storage containers you can purchase, and while effective, they aren’t necessary.
Hot dogs should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not on the door, where temperatures can be warmer.
If you don’t have immediate plans to use the hot dogs or a bulk pack to store them, freezing may be the best solution—but don’t toss the entire pack in the freezer and call it a day. It only takes five minutes to prepare hot dogs for the freezer. When it’s time to cook them, you’ll be glad you took a few extra steps.
To freeze hot dogs, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or par-freeze them for 2 hours, until mostly firm. Then place them in a freezer storage bag or an airtight container. This prevents the headache of dealing with a frozen block of hot dogs and lets you pull them out one at a time for meals.
While freezing extends the shelf life of hot dogs, the FSIS recommends consuming them within 1 to 2 months for the best quality.
So, the next time you whip up a Colombian Hot Dog for one or make a scaled-down version of Beanie Weenies, jot down the date on a storage bag to ensure your hot dogs don’t take up precious fridge space past their prime.
Read the original article on Allrecipes
