Pickled eggs are one of the favorite appetizers, protein snacks, or sandwich ingredients today. They are simple to make – so easy that even a child could make them. Hard-boiled eggs are placed in a marinade of water, vinegar, salt, and herbs. This method of food preparation was used centuries ago, before refrigerators, to extend the shelf life of food. However, pickling food has remained popular in modern times, so pickled eggs are always welcome at every table.
You can store pickled foods longer than raw foods, but how long do pickled eggs last? It depends on how and where you keep them.
| Type of storage | Shelf life |
|---|---|
| At the room temperature | 2 hours |
| In the refrigerator | Up to 4 months |
| In the freezer | Up to a year |
Contents
How long do pickled eggs last at room temperature?
You should not keep pickled eggs at room temperature for longer than serving time.
Eggs are a perishable food, even when cooked, so the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration – FDA – recommends that eggs not be left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, regardless of the preparation method. Otherwise, you risk contaminating the eggs with bacteria, the most dangerous of which is salmonella, which can cause serious health problems.
Eating pickled eggs that have been left at room temperature can cause botulism, a disease that can be fatal. Botulism is an acute neurointoxication caused by the exotoxins of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The primary source of infection is contaminated food and foodstuffs, such as smoked and dried meat products, eggs, and canned fruits and vegetables. Botulism exotoxins are not resistant to heat, which is important in preventing alimentary (food) poisoning.
How long do pickled eggs last in the refrigerator?
Pickled eggs can last quite a long time in the fridge – when adequately sealed in an airtight container, they last up to 4 months!
The vinegar solution will prevent spoilage, and the pickled eggs will be fresh when you want to eat them. Just pay attention – you must completely submerge the eggs in the solution. If part of the egg “sticks” out of the solution and is exposed to air, it will likely spoil quickly.
Can you store pickled eggs in the freezer?
You can also store pickled eggs in the freezer if you want to preserve them for a more extended period. However, keeping it in the freezer is not our first choice, as it changes the texture of the egg – it becomes softer when thawed, while the egg white becomes rubbery. It also affects the taste of pickled eggs, which is no longer so dominant and specific but much milder.
If you decide to store pickled eggs in the freezer, their maximum shelf life is one year.
How can you tell did pickled eggs go bad?
Like most other foods, pickled eggs can go bad, especially if you don’t store them properly – if you forget the container on the kitchen counter and don’t put it back in the refrigerator, or if the eggs aren’t entirely submerged in the pickling solution.
If you notice that they have a strange taste or smell, that the solution has become cloudy, changed color, or started to develop mold, it is best to throw away the pickled eggs and make a new batch.
Store-bought vs homemade pickled eggs – which last longer?
You can make pickled eggs at home or buy them at the store if you don’t have time or don’t want to deal with the preparation.
The homemade variant will last up to 4 months in the refrigerator if it is stored correctly and if the eggs are completely submerged in the solution in which they are pickled.
If you opt for store-bought pickled eggs, pay attention to the best-by date on the package. You can eat the product even after this period has expired, but the taste will not be the same as when the eggs are fresh.
Citations
- https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/easy-refrigerator-pickled-eggs-no-canning/#:~:text=How%20Long%20Do%20Pickled%20Eggs,4%20months%20in%20the%20refrigerator!
- https://foodsguy.com/pickled-eggs-last/
