Have some leftover steak or a burger that went uneaten? You can safely store it for another meal. However, how long cooked beef lasts depends on how you store it.

Cooked beef should cool either on the counter for a short period of time, loosely covered, or in the refrigerator. It will cool more quickly if big pieces are cut into smaller ones, or if it is spread out on a baking sheet.

Once it's no longer hot, wrap the meat tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it. It's best to refrigerate the meat as quickly as possible, and definitely within two hours of cooking. If meat is left at a temperature of 40 degrees F or warmer for longer than two hours, harmful bacteria can multiply quickly.

Once refrigerated, cooked beef should be eaten within three to four days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Cooked beef can be stored in the freezer for a longer window of time. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, making sure there is as little air as possible in contact with the meat. It's a good idea to place the wrapped meat in a zip-top freezer bag to further protect against freezer burn, and be sure to label the contents and the date.

According to the USDA, cooked beef will keep in the freezer for two to three months; after that it may still be safe to eat but the texture and flavor may begin to deteriorate.

The best way to defrost cooked beef is in the refrigerator. Transfer the wrapped package of frozen meat into the refrigerator, and let it thaw slowly.

This method can take a long time depending on the size of the meat, up to 24 hours for steaks or roasts.

A faster method is to put the wrapped meat in a resealable bag if it isn't already, press out any excess air, and submerge the bag in a large bowl of cool water. Change the water every half hour or so, replacing it with fresh cold water, until the meat is thawed, which can take up to two hours, depending on size.

Refrigerated or frozen and thawed cooked meat is best reheated in the oven or in a pan. Take it out of the refrigerator first, and let it come to room temperature for up to 30 minutes.

In the oven, use a low temperature, such as 250 degrees F, and place the meat on a baking sheet, preferably elevated on a roasting rack or an oven-safe cooling rack set inside the baking sheet. Heat it until it is warmed through, to an internal temperature of at least 120 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer.

To reheat in a pan, cuts like steak or hamburger can be cooked in a nonstick skillet with a little bit of neutral oil, such as vegetable oil. Heat it over medium-low heat for a few minutes, turning over after 2 to 3 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, it should be at a similar temperature of how you normally like your steaks cooked, such as 130 degrees F for medium-rare.

However you've heated it up, if your leftover beef seems dry, try drizzling it with a sauce, gravy, or even a little warm beef broth. This will help replace moisture that was depleted from reheating.

Related: How to Reheat Brisket

If your leftover cooked beef smells or looks off, throw it out rather than eating it— t's just not worth the risk!

The meat should have a similar texture and smell as the day you cooked it. A slimy or mushy feel, a green tint, or a sour or rotten-egg smell are all signs that your meat is probably spoiled. There's no real way to tell if it has bacteria that can cause food poisoning, so you're better off not taking a chance.

Finally, if you know the meat has been at a temperature between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F for two hours or more—what food experts refer to as the "danger zone," as it is the most favorable conditions for bacteria to multiply—pitch that steak or burger and find something else to eat.

Related: Can You Refreeze Chicken?

Fruit salad season is upon us, and we couldn’t be more stoked. But the next time you hit the farmers market to stock up, wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly...

A TikTok-worthy refrigerator clean-out will make you feel like a million bucks — those color-coded products, a fresh new bundle of produce and organized, cohesive drawers bring an instant satisfaction that’s hard to describe. But before a sparkling fridge reset comes the hard work of deep cleaning. Yep, we’re talking about removing all the expired, […]

It comes in seven sizes and has over 100,000 five-star reviews. Shoppers even say they're better than expensive hotel sheets.

Do you ever see something on TikTok that comes out of nowhere to suddenly blow your mind? Yeah, us too. From dalgona coffee (remember that?) to the inescapable TikTok home decor trends of LED strip lights and faux vines hanging from the wall, there are some TikTok trends that are unavoidable, some that are worth […]

Our Place, known for its Always Pan and Perfect Pot, has a new Ovenware Set, which includes five pieces. Shop the new release in all different colors here!

This cooling blanket is a No. 1 best seller on Amazon and it's going viral on TikTok for its instant relief.

Our Place, known for its Always Pan and Perfect Pot, has a new Ovenware Set, which includes five pieces: Oven Pan, Oven Mat, Main Bake, Side Bake, and Tiny Bake.

He had been lying to her the whole time.

Your summer weekend just got so much tastier.

You don’t need to leave your home to learn how to cook, the best online cooking classes can teach you everything you need to know. Whether you don’t know how to chop vegetables or you’re trying to become the next contestant on Netflix’s Sugar Rush, you can learn both basic and advanced skills online. Even […]

How summer days often lead to warm and humid nights. Beat the heat with these cooling bed linens.

The perfect sausage pan you didn't know you needed

Chicago Metallic's Lasagna Trio Pan is the perfect kitchen tool for families with picky eaters, or anyone who needs to serve a crowd. Find it on Amazon for less than $20.

When kids' peers start coming out, it's normal for them to have some questions. Here's what LGBTQ teens and their parents say parents should teach kids about how to support their queer peers.

On the 50th anniversary of Title IX, Morgan is celebrating her own journey as a female athlete.

No point in lathering up in a smelly, funky space — here's the way to keep things pristine.

"I don't really ponder on it": Sarah Jessica Parker's laid-back approach to aging.

The actress is getting real about learning to accept love after two divorces.

Our host Thorgy Thor is here to give Aisha a dramatic drag makeover into her fierce alter ego Sha Sha De Nile. The post Thorgy Thor is helping contestant Aisha is embrace her newfound appreciation for drag appeared first on In The Know.