Cooked eggs – whether it is an omelet or boiled eggs – are a favorite breakfast, a delicious protein snack, or an integral part of a light dinner. However, there is one catch with cooked eggs! While most thermally processed foods have a longer lifespan, eggs can last longer when fresh than when cooked.
Today’s article talks about how long cooked eggs are safe to use and how to store them properly to extend their shelf life.
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How long hard-boiled eggs last?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (the USDA), when they are correctly stored, boiled eggs, peeled, or in shell, they can last approximately seven days. By “proper storage,” we mean, of course, refrigeration.
If you are not sure how long your boiled eggs will stay in the fridge, it is best to peel and test them. If you notice any change in color or smell, the boiled egg is spoiled.
You should never consume rotten boiled eggs because you can get food poisoning – a dangerous condition accompanied by nausea, vegetables, diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration.
Tip – Many people think that boiled eggs are spoiled when they see a layer of green or even grayish color around the yolk. However, this is not about spoilage – you have overcooked egg on your hands. Overcooked eggs are safe to eat, but the yolk could be dry, chalky, and therefore tasteless. Continuously monitor the cooking of hard-boiled eggs so that you do not overcook them.
| Type of eggs | Last in the fridge | Last in the freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Raw eggs | 4 to 5 weeks after expiration date | Up to 1 year |
| Boiled eggs | Up to 7 days | Up to 1 month |
| Scrambled eggs | 3 to 4 days | 4 to 6 months |
| Egg dishes | 3 to 4 days | 4 to 6 months |
How should you store hard-boiled eggs to prolong their shelf-life?
During cooking, water removes the protective layer from the eggshell, due to which the interior becomes more exposed to the penetration of harmful bacteria. To minimize the risk of spoilage and contamination of hard-boiled eggs, keep them in the refrigerator at all times.
Leave cooked eggs at room temperature to cool down. Keep in mind that hard-boiled eggs can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 hours after cooking. After that, you should store them refrigerated at a temperature below 40 degrees F (4 degrees C). You should keep boiled eggs at cold temperatures because the cold prevents the growth of harmful bacteria, which thrive at warm temperatures.
It would be best to keep hard-boiled eggs in an egg carton or airtight container. Never keep them in the fridgedoor – put them on a shelf, as close as possible to the bottom of the fridge. The frequent opening and closing of the fridge door cause sudden temperature changes, making eggs spoil faster, whether fresh or cooked.
Although you can freeze fresh eggs, we don’t recommend this practice for hard-cooked eggs. Freezing boiled eggs will also affect their taste, and especially their texture. Frozen egg whites will become rubbery and watery, while the yolks will be tasteless and chalky when thawed.
Should you storage peel boiled eggs?
Are you wondering if you need to peel boiled eggs before putting them in the fridge or if it is best to store them in their shells? It would be best to keep boiled eggs refrigerated and peel them only when ready to serve them or use them in a recipe (for example, egg salad).
If you peel the eggs, don’t worry, you can store them peeled as well. The original carton isn’t suitable for peeled eggs. Store them in an airtight container. Place a damp paper towel on the bottom of the container, and then place a boiled egg on it. The role of a damp paper towel is to prevent the eggs from drying out.
It would be best to store eggs in the refrigerator, both unpeeled and peeled. Leave them to cool after boiling, for no more than two hours, then put them in the fridge. Avoid standing at room temperature longer than necessary.
How long can last egg dishes?
When preparing egg dishes, first of all, make sure that they are well heat-treated. Insufficiently heat-treated eggs increase the chances of getting food poisoning, which we discussed in the previous chapter.
For example, if you are preparing a casserole with eggs, you should bake it until the inside of the dish is 160 degrees F. You can quickly check this with a food thermometer.
You can put all the leftovers with eggs in the fridge. Please make sure they are not at room temperature for more than two hours. You can serve cold egg dishes stored in the refrigerator in the next 3 to 4 days, according to the USDA.
You can also freeze egg dishes and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Frozen eggs that are part of egg dishes won’t have a rubbery texture or weird flavor.
How long scrambled eggs last?
Scrambled or fried eggs can also be stored in the fridge and thus extend their shelf life. After the meal, put the leftover eggs in several shallow containers. Be sure to keep them covered! Put them on the shelf of the fridge, not in the door, because of the temperature fluctuations that have already been mentioned.
Fried or scrambled eggs can last in the refrigerator for three to four days. After that, it would be best to throw them away. We should emphasize that these dishes will taste best when you freshly bake them, but you can carefully warm them in the oven if necessary.
You can also freeze all types of baked eggs and store them frozen for 4 to 6 months.
Citations:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-long-are-hard-boiled-eggs-good-for#storage
- https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-long-can-I-keep-an-egg-strata-in-the-refrigerator-before-cooking-it
- https://www.canyoufreezethis.com/can-freeze-scrambled-eggs/#:~:text=When%20kept%20in%20the%20fridge,right%20away%20for%20optimal%20flavor.
