Eggs are a staple in many households, so a common question many people have is how long they last in the fridge? In this article, I’ll describe how long raw eggs and hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge so that they won’t go to waste.
How long do eggs last in the fridge? Fresh, raw eggs last in the fridge for about four to five weeks. This is in a fridge with a proper temperature of about 40 degrees F (4.4 C). Egg cartons usually have a best-before-date stamped on the carton. This date is about four to five weeks from the packaging date.
Hard-boiled, unpeeled eggs last up to a week in the fridge. Hard-boiled, peeled eggs last up to 24 hours in the fridge.
Read on to learn more about how long eggs last in the fridge, including raw eggs, hardboiled eggs, egg whites, egg yolks, and pickled eggs.
How Long Do Eggs Last in the Fridge?
Surprisingly, eggs can last a long time when you store them properly in your fridge. Your eggs will last four to five weeks after the packaging date–just make sure to store them properly in your fridge. It is also recommended that you store your eggs in the fridge within 24 hours after purchasing.
Proper storage means you keep them in their original carton on a shelf inside your fridge. That egg rack on the inside of your refrigerator’s door isn’t the best place to store your eggs. Eggs are best refrigerated at 40°F or less, and the temperature on the rack of your refrigerator door does not remain constant when it is regularly opened and closed.
Packaging Date and Expiration Date
It is best to buy eggs that have an expiry date on the carton. This way, you already know how long you can keep them rather than basing it on smell alone. But what will you do if the carton doesn’t have a best before date?
The USDA requires that cartons be stamped with a packaging date. The packaging date is the day the eggs were placed in the carton. It will appear as a code with three numbers that represent the day of the year. January 1 will read as 001, and December 31 will read as 365.
The USDA states that the expiry date should be no longer than 30 days after the packaging date. However, the USDA also states that most food (including eggs, if handled and stored properly) can still be consumed after their expiration date.
According to USDA, “Spoiled foods will develop an off odor, flavor, or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. If the food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten.” So, if your eggs smell bad (even before the best before date), throw them out because they’re spoiled.
Cracked Eggs
Always check your eggs inside the carton before buying them. Make sure that none of them are cracked because cracked ones are unsafe to eat. Bacteria can enter the egg through the cracks. However, if you break an egg while you’re putting them away, there’s no need to throw it out. Simply cook the egg right away.
Raw Whole Eggs
How long do raw eggs last in the fridge? Raw, whole eggs will last four to five weeks after their packaging date or about three weeks after you buy them (if you store them in the fridge).
But what about cooked eggs like hard-boiled eggs and pickled eggs? And, what about egg dishes like egg salad and others? How long do they last in the fridge?
Hard-Boiled Eggs
How long do hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge? Hard-boiled eggs last for a week if you keep them in the shell. If the boiled eggs are peeled, it is best to consume them within 24 hours. If they develop a sort of gassy odor in the fridge, that’s perfectly fine. Such odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide, which is produced when eggs are cooked. It will dissipate in a few hours and is harmless.
Pickled Eggs
How long can eggs last in the fridge when they are pickled? Pickling is the process of preserving food products in acid solution, usually vinegar and salt. This process naturally preserves food, making them last longer. Eggs can be pickled to make them last longer.
But remember, you cannot store pickled eggs at room temperature. Storing them at room temperature can cause botulism. If you’re pickling eggs, always store them in the refrigerator. These eggs can last about a month.
Dishes with Eggs
How long are eggs good for in the fridge when they are part of a dish? Dishes that are prepared with eggs are best consumed within a few hours. Cold egg dishes and beverages should be served on ice. If you have too much and need to store them in the refrigerator, they will last 3 to 4 days.
The guide below will help you with proper egg storage and how long eggs will last in the fridge. This guide is based on storing eggs in the refrigerator at 35°F to 40°F.
Raw Eggs in Shell | 4 to 5 weeks after the packaging date or roughly three weeks after buying them |
Raw Whole Eggs, Slightly Beaten | Two days at most |
Raw Egg Whites | Four days at most |
Raw Egg Yolks | Two days at most |
Hard-boiled Eggs in Shell | One week at most |
Hard-boiled Eggs, Peeled | Best to use the same day |
Pickled Eggs | One month at most |
Prepared Egg Dishes | 3 to 4 days at most |
Storing Eggs in the Freezer
The best way to make your eggs last longer is to freeze them! This method is best when you have more eggs than you can use for a couple of weeks. You can freeze eggs, but they need to be broken from their shells. Never freeze an egg that is still in its shell.
To freeze and store eggs, break them out of their shells and follow the recommendations below.
Use only tightly sealed freezer containers. Label them with the number of eggs, yolks, or whites. Include the date you froze them, too. To defrost, leave them in the refrigerator overnight.
1. Whole Eggs
Beat the eggs until they are just blended enough. Store in a freezer container and freeze them.
2. Egg Yolks
Egg yolks will gel or thicken when you freeze them. To treat this, just add 1/8 tsp. of salt or 1 and ½ tsps. of sugar or corn syrup for each ¼ cup of egg yolks (approximately four yolks).
If you freeze the yolks without treating them, they will become so thick when you thaw them and become impossible to use. Don’t forget to label whatever you added in the treatment as well.
3. Egg Whites
Separate the whites from the yolk. Ensure that there is absolutely no yolk mixed in.
Tip: You may use covered ice cube trays to measure out just how much you want to thaw later on.
4. Hard-boiled Eggs
You can only freeze the yolks from hard-boiled eggs. If you freeze whole hard-boiled eggs, the white part will become watery, which will spoil the egg. To freeze the yolks for later use on salads or garnishes, separate the whites from the yolks before boiling.
Put the yolks in a pan and cover with water that’s an inch above the yolks. Cover the pan and bring it to a quick boil. Remove from heat just after it boils and let stand, still covered for 15 minutes. Let it cool first before storing and freezing.
How long are eggs good for in the freezer? Below is a guide to help you better with proper egg storage and how long eggs will last in the freezer. This guide is based on storing them in the freezer at 0°F.
Raw Whole Eggs, Slightly Beaten | A year |
Raw Egg Whites | A year |
Raw Egg Yolks, Treated | A year |
How to Tell If Eggs Are Fresh
So we’ve answered the question, “How long can eggs last in the fridge”; now I want to list ways to tell if your eggs are fresh.
Here are some things you need to check before buying eggs:
- One of the easiest and simplest way is to check the best before date on the egg carton. Make sure it’s a good two to three weeks from the stamped date.
- Fresh eggs have a centered yolk, and on the wide end of the egg, it will have an air cell that is firm white.
- Older eggs and spoiled eggs will float, while fresh eggs sink in water. The air cell inside an egg increases as it gets older, making it float.
- Fresh eggs have elevated yolks with thick whites that are close to the yolk. Older eggs have flat yolks that break upon cracking, with whites that are watery and thin.
- Fresh eggs will have whites that look cloudy. Many people think that the cloudiness in egg whites is a sign of age, but it actually comes from their high carbon dioxide content when they are just laid.
- Fresh eggs will not have a rancid or rotten smell. If it smells bad after you crack it, throw it away. It’s also important to thoroughly wash the dish where you broke the egg.
- Closely inspect the eggs before you purchase them. Do not purchase cracked eggs or ones that have a slimy shell. Bacteria can enter through the cracks, and slimy shells may indicate the presence of bacteria. Also, avoid eggs that have shells with a powdery texture because it can indicate molds.
- Fresh eggs, when cracked, will not have any black, pink, or green discoloration. Any signs of discoloration suggest the presence of bacteria.
A Few Tips for Serving and Preparing Eggs Before They Expire
There is no need to let your eggs expire if you cook and eat them first! Follow the below tips for cooking eggs before they expire.
- If your eggs are from the refrigerator and a recipe calls for eggs at room temperature, immerse them in warm water for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Leftover egg whites and egg yolks should immediately be placed in airtight containers and stored in the fridge on the middle shelf and not on the door shelf. Egg yolks tend to go dry. You may cover the yolks with cold water before storing them. Don’t forget to drain the water before using the yolks.
- Food prepared with eggs must be served immediately. Consume them within two hours. But, you can also store and use leftovers within three days.
- Eggs tend to get tough if cooked at high heat. Always remember to control the heat when cooking eggs.
- Don’t eat cracked eggs even if they came from the refrigerator. Discard them.
- Use eggs within two hours after removing them from the fridge. The egg yolk will easily separate from the egg white when the egg is cold.
- Metal bowls are better than plastic bowls when making meringue. Grease can build up on plastic bowls and can prevent foaming.
- If you let an egg stay at room temperature for 30 minutes, the egg whites will beat to a better volume.
- Most recipes that require eggs are usually written based on using large eggs unless specified otherwise. A large egg is equivalent to ¼ cup (50 ml or four tablespoons).
Conclusion – How Long Do Eggs Last in the Fridge? (Raw and Hard-Boiled)
So, to answer the initial question: How long do eggs last in the fridge? Fresh, whole, raw eggs will last about 3 to 4 weeks in your refrigerator. They need to be stored at a stable 40°F, so the middle shelf is better than the door shelf for storage.
Raw egg yolks will last two days in your fridge, while raw egg whites will last four days. Hard-boiled eggs will last for a week in your fridge if unpeeled. You can also freeze your eggs for longer shelf life.
The below guide will help you with proper egg storage and how long eggs will last in the fridge. This guide is based on storing eggs in the refrigerator at about 40°F.
Raw Eggs in Shell | 4 to 5 weeks after the packaging date or roughly three weeks after buying them |
Raw Whole Eggs, Slightly Beaten | Two days at most |
Raw Egg Whites | Four days at most |
Raw Egg Yolks | Two days at most |
Hard-boiled Eggs in Shell | One week at most |
Hard-boiled Eggs, Peeled | Best to use the same day |
Pickled Eggs | One month at most |
Prepared Egg Dishes | 3 to 4 days at most |