How long do eggs last in the fridge?
Raw eggs in their shells keep 3 to 5 weeks in the fridge. Hard-boiled eggs keep a week, and egg dishes 3 to 4 days. How to store them and what the dates mean.
By Zain Nazeer, founder and editor
Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash
Raw eggs in their shells keep 3 to 5 weeks in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or colder, counted from the day you buy them. That is the figure on the US government's cold storage chart. It is often past the date printed on the carton, which is a sell-by or best-before date, not a safety cut-off.
How long do eggs last in different forms?
- Raw eggs in the shell: 3 to 5 weeks.
- Raw yolks or whites, separated: 2 to 4 days.
- Hard-boiled eggs, peeled or not: 1 week. See how long hard-boiled eggs last.
- Cooked egg dishes, such as egg muffins and frittatas: 3 to 4 days.
- Egg salad: 3 to 5 days.
Where should you keep eggs in the fridge?
In their carton, on a shelf in the main part of the fridge, not in the door. The door warms up every time it opens. The carton protects the shells and stops them picking up smells from other food.
Do eggs need to be refrigerated?
In the US, yes. American eggs are washed before sale, which removes a natural protective coating, so they must stay cold. In the UK and much of Europe, eggs are not washed and are often sold at room temperature, but UK guidance is still to keep them in the fridge at home once you have bought them.
Can you freeze eggs?
Not in their shells, which crack. Beat raw eggs, or freeze the whites and yolks separately, in a sealed container, and use them within a year for best quality. Cooked egg dishes freeze too: egg and veggie muffin cups and cottage cheese egg bites keep about two months. Hard-boiled eggs do not freeze well.
Does the float test show if an egg is safe?
No. An egg that floats in water is older, because its air pocket has grown, but that does not tell you whether it is safe. Throw out eggs with cracked or dirty shells, and any egg that smells bad when you open it.
How should you cook eggs for meal prep?
Until the yolk and white are firm, and egg dishes until they reach 160°F (71°C). For breakfasts that keep all week, see high-protein breakfast meal prep and freezer breakfast burritos. For other foods, see how long meal prep lasts.
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