It was a day of eating Egg McMuffins. Many packets of ketchup were drunk, some coworkers were grossed out, and a possible romance ended.
It’s the stuff that both dreams and diabetes are made of. McDonald’s has started serving its breakfast menu all day. The fast food chain is calling it “all day breakfast”.
Think about having breakfast all day, every day! And we’re not talking about bran flakes, cornflakes, or any other kind of flakes. This is real breakfast: sausages and eggs and cheese and bacon. And muffins and biscuits and pancakes.
So my editor decided put it to the test. I was told by her to find out what it’s like to eat McDonald’s breakfast every day.
I should start with a confession: I used to work for the fast food giant. One day, I had to sweep up maggots in the backyard. I went off the food after that. But this is all behind me as I’m starting my only-eating-McDonald’s day.
I played soccer the night before. All I had for dinner was a bratwurst and three beers. That means I’m actually quite looking forward to the grease and salt and shame of a McDonald’s breakfast.
I order a sausage and egg McMuffin at a downtown McDonalds. It comes with a hash brown. I don’t like hash browns. They give me heartburn. I decide to endure the acid reflux.
I’m hungry again. I head back to McDonald’s. The staff are wearing t-shirts with the legend “all day breakfast” on the front. One employee is in charge of directing the line. She is having a hard time explaining the concept behind the all day breakfast.
“No. It’s not a free breakfast. Nothing is free,” she tells a disappointed-looking man. He leaves. I buy two sausage burritos. They come as a pair. They come with a hash brown. I still don’t like hash browns.
I take the ensemble back to the office. The sausage burritos do not taste very nice. Like the sausage and egg McMuffin, they smell.
“Eating McDonald’s breakfast all day.” “Err, I think that’s been done. Wasn’t there a documentary about it?”
Smart arse. Someone else comes by and sees how many empty ketchup packets, McDonald’s bags, and hash brown wrappers there are.
My appetite is yet to be sated. I traipse back to McDonald’s. All around me people are smiling, happy, enjoying the sun. My heart is black and I am dead inside. The woman directing the line recognizes me. I try and muster some friendliness.
“I’m a sucker for punishment!” I say, shrugging my shoulders. I am banished to the line in the corner.
I have another sausage and egg McMuffin. I enjoyed that one this morning. I don’t enjoy this one.
We walk to McDonald’s. I’m relieved to go to one where people don’t know me by name.
I offer to buy my date a sausage and egg McMuffin. She says she’s vegan. I buy a sausage and egg McMuffin and eat it in front of her on the street. It’s hard to be 100% certain what she is thinking, but she doesn’t look very impressed.
As we walk across the street to a bar, I can’t stop thinking about the sausage and egg McMuffins. My date stands up and leaves while I am halfway through a beer.
Zantac count: 3. Complaints from colleagues: still 3. Sachets of ketchup: 13. Chances of happiness destroyed: 1.
I go back to my regular McDonald’s. Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. I eat a fourth sausage and egg McMuffin while I look up the email address for HR.
Zantac count: 3. Complaints from colleagues: still 3. Sachets of ketchup: 13. Chances of happiness destroyed: 1. New friends who work at McDonald’s: 3.
Nothing beats biting into a hot, crispy Sausage McMuffin straight from the McDonald’s drive-thru. But life gets busy, and sometimes those uneaten leftovers end up sitting in the fridge overnight. So can you still enjoy a Sausage McMuffin that’s a day old? Let’s dive in and find out!
How Long Do Sausage McMuffins Last?
First, we need to understand how long Sausage McMuffins stay fresh in general. According to the FDA Food Code, cooked foods like sandwiches should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours before refrigeration. Once refrigerated, a Sausage McMuffin can last 3-5 days before quality starts to decline.
Freezing can extend the shelf life even longer – up to 2-3 months when frozen properly at 0°F. So a fresh McMuffin can actually keep for a decent amount of time if stored correctly.
Is a Day Old Sausage McMuffin Safe to Eat?
Safety-wise, a Sausage McMuffin that has been continuously refrigerated should be fine to eat even after a day. The cold temperatures in the fridge (40°F or below) prevent dangerous bacterial growth that could cause food poisoning.
As long as the McMuffin was promptly refrigerated after purchasing and has been kept cold, it should be safe to consume for 3-5 days. Discard any that are moldy or smell bad.
Maintaining Quality in a Day Old McMuffin
While safety isn’t a concern with a properly stored, day old McMuffin, the quality and taste can start to deteriorate. Here are some common changes you may notice:
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Drier, rubbery English muffin
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Less crispy sausage patty
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Watery egg and cheese
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Stale flavor overall
The good news is you can revive a refrigerated McMuffin so it almost tastes freshly made again.
Reheating a Day Old Sausage McMuffin
Try this reheating method for a day old McMuffin:
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Preheat oven to 300°F.
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Place McMuffin on a baking sheet.
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Warm in oven for 5 minutes until heated through.
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For crispier texture, toast English muffin halves in toaster.
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Finish by pan-frying sausage patty in skillet to re-crisp.
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Assemble muffin, egg, cheese, and sausage patty.
This combination of gentle oven warming and quick skillet time gives you a McMuffin that’s almost as good as new!
Storing Unfinished McMuffins Properly
To get the most out of leftovers, make sure to:
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Refrigerate any uneaten portion within 2 hours
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Store in a sealed container to prevent drying out
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Use within 3 days for best quality
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Freeze extras to enjoy later within 2-3 months
Proper storage is key to preserving both safety and quality with leftover fast food like Sausage McMuffins.
The Verdict on Day Old McMuffins
Based on food safety principles, properly refrigerated Sausage McMuffins can still be safely enjoyed even after sitting in the fridge overnight. For best quality, revive leftover McMuffins with brief oven warming and a quick pan-fry to restore texture. With proper storage and reheating, you can safely savor every last bite of your Sausage McMuffin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can Sausage McMuffins sit out?
Sausage McMuffins should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. After this point, harmful bacteria can start multiplying quickly. For food safety, refrigerate within 2 hours.
Can you reheat a Sausage McMuffin?
Yes, Sausage McMuffins can be safely reheated after proper refrigeration. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot, at least 165°F. You can also toast the English muffin and pan-fry the sausage patty to restore texture.
How do you keep a leftover McMuffin fresh?
To keep leftover McMuffins fresh, store them in a sealed container in the fridge within 2 hours of purchasing. Eat within 3 days for best quality. You can also freeze for longer storage. Reheat fully when ready to consume.
Is it bad to eat McDonald’s old food?
McDonald’s food is generally safe to eat if consumed shortly after purchasing and kept refrigerated or frozen. Follow proper food safety practices, and avoid eating McDonald’s food that is more than 3-5 days old after cooking. Discard anything that smells bad or has mold.
Can you get sick from old Mcdonald’s?
Yes, it is possible to get sick from eating old McDonald’s food as bacteria can grow over time, especially if food is left out at unsafe temperatures. To prevent illness, store leftovers properly and do not eat McDonald’s food that is more than 3-5 days old or appears spoiled.
Key Takeaways
- Refrigerated, day old Sausage McMuffins are safe to eat if stored properly. Discard moldy or foul smelling food.
- Quality declines after a day in the fridge, but you can restore texture and flavor by reheating thoroughly.
- Enjoy leftover McMuffins within 3 days and freeze extras for longer storage.
- Practice safe food handling with all leftovers, including fast food like Sausage McMuffins.
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