Can you eat leftover hamburg 5 days after cooking?

Here's why:

* Food Safety: The general rule of thumb for leftover cooked meat is to consume it within 3-4 days of cooking. This is because bacteria can multiply rapidly at room temperature, even after cooking.

* Spoilage: After 5 days, the hamburger is likely to have begun to spoil, even if refrigerated. This can result in off-flavors, textures, and potentially make you sick.

* Risk of Illness: Eating spoiled meat can lead to food poisoning, characterized by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

For your safety, it's best to discard any leftover hamburger after 3-4 days.

Here are some tips for safe handling of leftovers:

* Refrigerate promptly: Put cooked hamburger in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking (or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F).

* Store properly: Use airtight containers or wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

* Cook thoroughly: Make sure the internal temperature of the hamburger reaches 160°F to kill harmful bacteria.

Always trust your senses: If a leftover hamburger smells off, has changed color significantly, or has a slimy texture, discard it.