How to store hot dogs

How to tell hot dogs have gone bad

General signs for meat: smoked or processed, the group USDA lists hot dogs under.

• Slimy or sticky film on hot dogs or sliced sausage
• Grey or green tinge developing on the surface
• Sour or off smell replacing the usual smoky scent
• Hardened, dried-out edges on bacon left uncovered too long
• Package losing its vacuum seal or ballooning with gas

More on meat: smoked or processed. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.

Storage habits that make the difference

Refrigerate opened bacon, ham, sausage and hot dogs in their original packaging or a sealed container, and use within about a week. Freeze anything you will not use in time; vacuum-sealed cuts freeze especially well. Keep these products toward the back of the fridge, where the temperature is steadiest.