Hot dogs are grilled sandwich sausages served in sliced buns, and they are loved across the globe due to their delightful taste.

Therefore, it is no surprise that whiner you pass by them on the grocery store, you find yourself buying one.

Usually, most chefs prepare the best kind of hot dogs by using specific spices during preparation, and these include; cheese sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, relish as well as mustard.

You can also add more flavor by using sauerkraut, onions, and chili.

Moreover, hot dogs are popular as they are cheap to make as well as easy to prepare, and you can choose to make them out of can be made out of white or red meat such as pork or beef.

How Long Do Hot Dogs Last

How long do hot dogs last?

Hot Dogs StateLifespan
Room Temperature2 hours 
Refrigerator1 to 2 weeks 
Freezer1 to 2 months 

Hot dogs can safely last for one to two weeks in the refrigerator if they are not opened. However, once the package is opened, it can only last for a week.

Furthermore, hot dogs, similar to every other protein, also have a sell date. This means you have a limited window in which you can consume them without leading to food poisoning.

hot dog in plastic pack

Nevertheless, the duration that a hot dog lasts depends on several factors and these are;

Storage

This is an essential factor that you should always consider when trying to figure out how long a hot dog will last.

Also Read:  How Long To Parboil Potatoes (And Why)?

After preparing hotdogs, you can prolong their freshness by storing them in the refrigerator, plus you must implement thorough hygiene and food safety measures to prevent the outbreak of food-related illness.

Additionally, make sure you keep them out of moisture and contaminants by storing them in a tightened closed container in a freezer or refrigerator.

Proper storage is beneficial not only to your health but also preserving the environment from waste products.

Sell date

Hot dogs do not have expiry dates but instead have sell dates, and this means they will last for a shorter period if stored inappropriately.

Fresh hotdogs that are not opened can last in a freezer for four to six months, whereas last for only one to two weeks in the refrigerator.

On the other hand, hot dogs that have already been prepared can last for seven days in the fridge but last for four to six months in the freezer.

You should also consider the expiry date of the bread you are using as well as the sell date as this determines how long your hot dog can last.

Preparation techniques

The preparation of hot dogs plays a vital role in affecting how long it will last. If it is well-prepared following all the correct methods, you can be sure of attaining positive results.

Likewise, if you need to extend their shelf life, you should then have them fried, and this will increase their lifespan.

a group of sausages cooking in a frying pan

The addition of other spices after preparation when you are ready to consume helps prolong the duration that hotdogs last.

Also Read:  How Long Does Sour Cream Last (And Why)?

Conclusion

Since hot dogs contain protein, you need to have accurate information about how long they last to avoid severe food poisoning.

Therefore, having gone through this article, you now have an idea of how long hotdogs last as well as the factors that affect how long it remains safe for consumption.

Therefore, going forward, you can know whether to throw away hotdogs that have exceeded their expiry date.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030544038471079X
  2. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2352958