How Long Do McNuggets Last in The Fridge? (Explained)
We’ve all had a bite of the crunchy goodness from Mcdonald’s chicken nuggets. We can all admit that they taste the best when fresh.
However, what happens when you buy too many nuggets you can’t finish at a go, and just how do you think they’d taste after refrigeration or reheating?
In this article, you’ll be provided with some tips on properly storing your McNuggets and some important signs to look out for during this process.
You can refrigerate McNuggets for up to three to four days after purchasing or cooking them. Thus, it’s best that you consume them within this period for safety and freshness. Although you can refrigerate and reheat leftover McNuggets with your air fryer, constant refrigeration isn’t always the best choice, as they may lose their flavor and texture.
In this article, you’ll understand everything involved in properly storing your McNuggets to prevent any spoilage and much more.
How Long Can You Keep McDonald’s McNuggets in the Fridge?
Your properly cooked and preserved chicken nuggets should last at least t 48-72 hours, which is precisely between three to four days of refrigeration.
This is going on the recommendation of the USDA; cooked poultry such as Mcdonald’s chicken nuggets should be refrigerated for no longer than four days.
Keeping your chicken nuggets for a longer period than this may increase the risk of food poisoning, which may include symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, etc.
Also, the exact length for storing your McNuggets often varies depending on various factors, including storage conditions and temperature.
Thus, it’s always best to refrigerate your leftover McNuggets as quickly as you can to ensure their safety and quality for consumption.
So, the longest duration of storing McNuggets in your fridge will depend on the quality and safety of their storage.
For example, cooked chicken nuggets usually maintain their best quality for at least two to three months if properly stored in a freezer.
There isn’t any clear consensus to store your McNuggets. But, best that you consume them within three months of storage to prevent freezer burns.
How Long Will Cooked McNuggets Last in the Fridge?
According to the USDA, any type of cooked poultry, including the McNuggets, can typically last at least three to four days in the refrigerator.
Proper refrigeration of your McNuggets can extend their shelf life for longer. But cooked McNuggets will usually last up to two or three days.
The same goes whether the chicken is homemade, restaurant leftovers, or store-bought; just ensure to store it properly in a sealed container or ziplock bag.
Also, it’s worth noting that food safety guidelines recommend storing cooked food for no more than four days.
So, consuming your McNuggets before then would be best to avoid any potential foodborne illnesses.
Furthermore, you must store them at a safe temperature of 40°F or below in the refrigerator and 0°F or below in the freezer.
It’s best to keep in mind that you’d have to discard all cooked foods, including your McNuggets if you let them sit at room temperature for more than two hours.
Additionally, you should also throw them away if you leave them for more than one hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
Is McNuggets Leftover Any Good?
Whether leftover McNuggets are good or not varies depending on the particular circumstance.
For instance, you shouldn’t consume them if they are left at room temperature for more than two hours.
This is because bacteria tend to grow rapidly in temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, which is typically known as the danger zone.
Therefore, consuming leftover Mcdonald’s chicken nuggets stored at room temperature for too long exposes you to a risk of foodborne diseases.
Thus, to be safe, it’s recommended to properly store and consume them within the appropriate time frame set for their consumption.
On the other hand, leftover McNuggets are generally safer to consume when refrigerated at least two hours after purchase and consumed no more than four days after storage.
Thus, if you’ve left them without proper storage and outside of the set time, then it would be best to discard them to avoid any health risks.
Furthermore, you must reheat your McNuggets to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to kill any potential bacteria.
Thus, Here is a step-by-step guide on reheating your McDonald’s McNuggets:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Take your leftover McNuggets out of the refrigerator and place them in the air fryer basket. Be sure to spread them out in a single layer to ensure even reheating.
- Once your air fryer is preheated, place the basket with the McNuggets inside and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- As the cooking time may vary depending on the amount of McNuggets you are reheating, it is a good idea to check on them after 2 minutes.
- Remove the basket from the air fryer when the McNuggets are reheated to your desired temperature and crispness.
- Serve the McNuggets immediately, and enjoy!
Keep in mind that while air frying your McNuggets is an easy way to reheat them, some crust may become even crispier than before.
So, it’s advised to be cautious while reheating, as overcooking them may result in burnt and dry McNuggets.
Also, there are many different methods and tips for reheating McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets.
Some of the most popular methods include using a microwave, an oven, an air fryer, or a toaster bag.
Some general tips to consider when reheating chicken nuggets are to use a low temperature, flip the nuggets during the reheating process, and avoid overcrowding the cooking container.
Here are some specific methods and tips for reheating McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets that you may find useful:
#1. Microwave
Place the nuggets on a microwave-safe plate and heat at 50% power for about 45 seconds, flipping them every 15 seconds.
This method helps to ensure that the nuggets are reheated evenly and do not become too dry.
#2. Oven
Preheat the oven to 375°F and place the nuggets on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the nuggets are heated through.
To prevent the nuggets from drying out, you may want to lightly spritz them with water or vegetable oil before putting them in the oven.
#3. Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and place the nuggets in the fry basket. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the nuggets are heated through and crispy.
You may want to lightly coat the nuggets with cooking spray to help them get crispy.
#4. Toaster Bag
Place the nuggets in a toaster bag and heat in the toaster for 2-3 minutes or until the nuggets are heated through. This method works well if you only have a few nuggets to reheat.
Regardless of which method you choose, make sure to check the nuggets frequently to avoid overcooking them.
Finally, enjoy your delicious, reheated McDonald’s chicken nuggets!
Although some people may prefer to preheat their McNuggets, others suggest that reheating them may make them lose their taste.
So, it ultimately depends on personal preference and how the McNuggets are stored and reheated.
How Long Are McNuggets Good for Outside the Fridge?
As earlier stated, it’s best not to leave your McNuggets for more than two hours outside of room temperature.
Therefore, it’s not advisable to store McNuggets outside the refrigerator for longer than the recommended storage period, as this can pose a health risk.
Can You Freeze McNuggets After Thawing?
It’s a general recommendation that you don’t attempt to refreeze thawed McNuggets or any cooked food.
When your Mcdonald’s chicken nuggets are frozen and then thawed, the moisture that was in the food can create an environment for bacteria to grow.
So, refreezing the food can cause the bacteria to continue to grow and potentially cause foodborne illness.
If you have thawed McNuggets and don’t plan on consuming them immediately. So, storing them in the refrigerator and consuming them within one to two days is best.
Alternatively, you can also store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.
It’s worth noting that freezing and thawing can also affect the texture and taste of the McNuggets, so they may not be as enjoyable after being frozen and thawed.
Here are some more reasons why you should consider not refreezing your chicken nuggets after thawing:
- Bacteria growth: Defrosted chicken should be cooked immediately, as bacteria can start to grow at room temperature.
Refreezing the chicken after it has thawed can cause more bacteria growth, making it unsafe to eat. - Food safety concerns: When chicken is thawed and refrozen, it can cause changes in texture, flavor, and quality, as well as increase the risk of foodborne illness.
- Potential health risks: Refreezing chicken can result in a loss of moisture and nutrients, leading to potential health risks.
- Decreased taste and texture: Defrosting and refreezing chicken can cause a loss of texture and a decrease in taste.
- Uncertainty about quality: Refrozen chicken is often lower in quality than fresh or defrosted chicken, which means that it may not taste as good as before it was frozen.
Overall, it’s recommended to avoid refreezing chicken after it has thawed to ensure food safety and overall quality.
Although it would be best to avoid thawing your frozen chicken nuggets in general, to every con, there is a pro.
Thus, here are some of the pros and cons of thawing:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easier to cook | Loss of nutrients |
| Better texture | Risk of refreezing |
| Convenience | Quality can suffer |
| Versatile | Increased risk of bacterial growth |
| Efficient | Time consumption |
Can McNuggets Go Bad in a Fridge?
Yes, cooked McNuggets that you have refrigerated can go bad and may be unsafe to eat if you leave them in the fridge for too long.
Thus, it’s always best to consume your chicken nuggets within the speculated period to avoid any incidents.
Additionally, it’s important to use your judgment and always check the appearance and smell of your McNuggets before consuming them.
If they appear discolored or have an off smell, a better choice would be to throw them away. Also, you can tell if your McNuggets are bad by their texture.
Therefore, you can tell if your McNuggets are no longer fit for consumption by looking for signs such as;
- Foul smell
- Discoloration
- Unusual texture.
#1. Foul Smell
You can’t always detect if your chicken has gone bad by just smelling it, as even if it smells bad, it might still be safe to eat.
However, very noticeable spoilage is the funky or rotten smell they begin to give off. When they go bad, they produce an off-smell, often described as a rancid or sour odor.
So, if you notice such smells coming from your McNuggets, then it would be best to discard them immediately.
#2. Discoloration
Another sign that your McNuggets may be going bad is the presence of slimy or sticky film discoloration.
Your chicken nuggets may become impacted by these coatings. Thus, if your McNuggets start producing these discolorations, it’s likely they have gone bad, and you shouldn’t consume them.
Additionally, always consider the accompanying smells that may come with these discolorations.
#3. Unusual Texture
If your McNuggets have a mushy, mealy, or unusual texture, then it’s a sign that they’re going bad.
However, it’s also worth noting that the texture of your McNuggets can vary depending on the way you cook them.
Thus, it’s always best to look for accompanying signs of spoilage, such as a sour smell or a discolored appearance.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to avoid eating the McNuggets as they may have spoiled and could cause food-borne illnesses.
