How Long Do Hot Dogs Last In The Freezer?

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Summer is hot dog season, and sometimes, you may find that you have more wieners than you know what to do with after a cookout. Rest assured that you can successfully freeze hot dogs, and according to the USDA, they can stay frozen for about one or two months at a maximum. While food can remain unspoiled in the freezer indefinitely (provided the appliance is set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), hot dogs and other items can fall victim to quality issues the longer they're frozen. Similarly, how you store the hot dogs in the freezer can affect their quality. 

While you can place unopened hot dog packages in the freezer, you'll eventually have to contend with a massive chunk of frozen meat. Instead, try freezing the dogs individually on a baking sheet (making sure there's plenty of space between them). Once they're fully frozen, you can put them in a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn and odor absorption. This method allows you to cook as many (or as few) hot dogs as you want at a given time and also helps avoid ice crystal development and moisture loss by limiting air exposure. You can even freeze hot dog buns, but make sure the bread is fully protected from freezer burn by wrapping it securely. 

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While it's fine from a food safety perspective, we don't recommend that you cook hot dogs straight from frozen, particularly when grilling, as it can lead to uneven cooking. You're better off thawing them first, which can be a delicate dance between quality and food safety. The USDA identifies three acceptable thawing methods that won't raise the risk of bacterial growth. These methods include overnight defrosting in the refrigerator, placing the frozen dogs in a cold-water bath, and heating in the microwave. When it comes to the best methods for reheating hot dogs, boiling and pan-frying can yield some rather tasty results if you don't feel like breaking out the grill. 

Along with proper reheating, toppings can also elevate the flavor of homecooked franks. For a classic dog, relish, yellow mustard, chili, and onions are standard options, but there's a whole world of toppings to explore. Adding pineapple, bacon, and teriyaki sauce creates a tasty Tiki dog, while topping the hot dog with coleslaw adds a bit of tanginess while also enhancing the texture with crunchy cabbage.