# Old hamburger **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [July 19, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224 "2022-07-19T21:04:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/1 "2022-07-19T21:04:41Z")
My girlfriend finally agreed to remove all of her cold bags from the kitchen freezer, and it freed up a lot of space. (Thanks, hon!) Mixed in with all that stuff were two one-pound tubes of hamburger meat. The expiration date on the meat was late 2020. It has been frozen since we bought it. Will it be safe to eat? And assuming that it’s not freezer-burned, how will it taste? Have you ever cooked up a batch of old hamburger? Did you have any problems with it? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/2 "2022-07-19T21:09:07Z")
A year past is the cut-off we always used for frozen beef growing up but I couldn’t tell you if it was a safety versus just taste issue. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/3 "2022-07-19T21:11:45Z")
The USDA sez: [Ground beef is safe indefinitely if kept frozen, but it is best if used within 4 months.](https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-freeze-ground-beef) ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/4 "2022-07-19T21:14:39Z")
Pretty sure the USDA is assuming the freezer is set to 0°F (about -18°C), just saying because I know some people who do not set their freezers that low. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/5 "2022-07-19T21:17:55Z")
> [@Max\_S](#): > > Pretty sure the USDA is assuming the freezer is set to 0°F, just saying because I know some people who do not set their freezers that low. Didn’t think about that. Thanks! Ours is set to Recommended. No idea what that means. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > The USDA sez: [Ground beef is safe indefinitely if kept frozen, but it is best if used within 4 months.](https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-you-freeze-ground-beef) Okay, that takes away some of the worry. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/6 "2022-07-19T21:31:02Z")
I set mine to the lowest the freezer will produce. It’s usually sub-zero. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/7 "2022-07-19T21:38:05Z")
If it’s been frozen the whole time it’s almost certainly safe to eat, in my experience. It might even taste okay. I’ve eaten 1-year-old-plus meat from the freezer before, and as long as it wasn’t the centerpiece of the meal it was fine. So for ground beef, I’d try chili or bolognese or something else where the flavor comes from the non-meat ingredients rather than burgers. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/8 "2022-07-19T21:44:13Z")
Most over the refrigerator type freezers will not get down to 0°F and stay that way. Some under the refrigerator types will but it’s best to check. I would toss it if hasn’t been kept that cold but I’m picky about that. If you must eat it make sure it’s cooked to at least 160°F. Do you have pets? Dogs will eat it, but cook it to the same temperature. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/9 "2022-07-19T21:48:22Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Do you have pets? Dogs will eat it, but cook it to the same temperature. That’s plan B. The pups would love it. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/10 "2022-07-19T22:22:30Z")
I’ve done it, but there was some freezer burn that impacted the taste. I think it’s probably safe and will taste okay, but I might be concerned if you had a power outage at some point and it partially thawed. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/11 "2022-07-19T22:26:26Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I might be concerned if you had a power outage at some point and it partially thawed. That’s a concern. We use the bag of ice cubes test to identify any power outages while we slept or were gone. (Put a few ice cubes into a zip lock bag. If the power goes out for a significant length of time, the cubes will partially melt.) We haven’t had any long outages in years. I’m just not sure whether that test ensures the safety of our meat. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/12 "2022-07-19T22:43:26Z")
I’d thaw it and give it the sniff test. Bad meat is pretty easy to spot. It might be fine for spaghetti sauce or chili. I certainly wouldn’t just toss it based on a date label alone. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/13 "2022-07-19T23:09:06Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > > [@TriPolar](#): > > > > Do you have pets? Dogs will eat it, but cook it to the same temperature. > > That’s plan B. The pups would love it. One frozen dog food factory told me that their rations were labelled with an official expiration date a year after manufacture, but are really designed to last a year and a half. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/14 "2022-07-19T23:16:51Z")
Thaw it, and if it looks and smells OK, go ahead and use it. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2022, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/15 "2022-07-19T23:48:32Z")
I expect it will taste of freezer, but that if you cook it thoroughly it won’t hurt you. The flavor would probably bother me, even in meat sauce. But I’m fussy that way. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/16 "2022-07-20T01:35:14Z")
Should be quite safe to eat. If not, as soon as it thaws the smell will tell you. For taste, it will be best if slow cooked in liquid. So slow-simmered in spaghettis sauce, chili, or a crockpot beef stew or beef barley soup should be good. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/17 "2022-07-20T02:02:47Z")
Freezer burn is of two types: sublimation and enzymatic activity. Since the burger is in the plastic tubes (I’m assuming the kind sealed with the crimped metal wires) sublimation won’t be a problem. The enzymatic kind can still happen, but that usually matters more with fruits and veggies IIRC. The stuff should be fine, particularly for tacos, pasta sauce, etc. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/18 "2022-07-20T02:08:05Z")
Thanks, everybody. If it passes the sniff test and if it’s not obviously freezer burned, I’ll try spaghetti tomorrow night. Made chili last week, and the Beloved gets cross with me if I make it too often. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/19 "2022-07-20T09:23:45Z")
Belatedly moving to cafe society, since food safety issues generally go there. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224/20 "2022-07-20T09:44:54Z")
Unlike everyone else in this thread, I’m a big believer in the maxim _whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt_ when it comes to food safety. How much can 2 pounds of ground beef cost? I’d rather spend that money that risk even a 0.1% chance of food poisoning. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-hamburger/968224.md?page=2)