How long eggs last and how to tell when they've gone bad
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 3-5 weeks
Keep raw eggs in their carton, in the coldest part of the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, not in the door.
Watch out Don't leave refrigerated eggs out for more than 2 hours.
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Freezer
Keeps for up to 12 months for whites
Raw egg whites keep 12 months in the freezer.
Watch out Don't freeze eggs in the shell or hard-boiled eggs, and yolks don't freeze well.
Raw eggs in the shell keep 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator, and hard-boiled eggs keep 1 week. Store them in their carton at 40°F (4°C) or below, and don't freeze them in the shell. To check an egg, crack it into a bowl and smell it.
Buying eggs this week?
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Raw eggs in the shell keep 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator, and hard-boiled eggs keep 1 week. Those times hold when the eggs stay cold, in the right spot, and unwashed.
This guide covers how to store eggs, how long they last, how to tell when an egg has gone bad, and what you can and can’t freeze.
How long do eggs last in the fridge?
Raw eggs in the shell keep 3 to 5 weeks in the refrigerator. Eggs do go bad in the fridge eventually, and the signs are covered further down.
Raw egg whites and raw egg yolks keep 2 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Do eggs need to be refrigerated?
Yes, keep eggs in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. Eggs should be refrigerated as soon as possible after they’re gathered, and once chilled they need to stay that way.
A cold egg left out at room temperature can sweat, which helps bacteria move into the egg. Any Salmonella in or on the egg also multiplies at room temperature.
So refrigerated eggs shouldn’t be left out for more than 2 hours. Above 90°F (32°C), make it 1 hour.
Where to keep eggs in the fridge
Keep eggs in their carton, in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not in the door.
Don’t wash eggs at home. Wash water can be drawn into the egg through the pores in the shell, and egg processors already wash and sanitize USDA-graded eggs.
What to look for when you buy eggs
Choose Grade A or AA eggs with clean, uncracked shells from a refrigerated display case. Never buy cracked eggs, because bacteria can enter through cracks in the shell.
How to tell if eggs are bad
Crack the egg into a bowl and check it. A spoiled egg has an unpleasant odor when you break the shell, raw or cooked, and an unusual appearance is another warning sign.
Does a floating egg mean it’s bad?
Not always. An egg floats in water when its air cell has grown large enough, which means it’s of poor quality, but it may be perfectly safe to use.
The crack test tells you more than the float test.
What changes as an egg gets older
Over time the yolk absorbs water from the white, the white gets thinner, and the air cell gets larger.
How long do hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge?
Hard-boiled eggs keep 1 week in the refrigerator.
They spoil faster than fresh eggs, because cooking leaves a thin layer of water under the shell, which favors bacterial growth.
How to store hard-boiled eggs
Refrigerate hard-boiled eggs within 2 hours of cooking, and eat them within 1 week. Don’t freeze them.
Check one the same way as a raw egg. A spoiled egg smells unpleasant when you break the shell, raw or cooked.
Can you freeze eggs?
Some parts of an egg freeze and some don’t. Raw egg whites keep 12 months in the freezer, but yolks don’t freeze well.
Don’t freeze eggs in the shell, and don’t freeze hard-boiled eggs.
What if an egg froze in its shell?
Keep it frozen until you need it. Then thaw it in the refrigerator and use it immediately after thawing.
How long do eggs and egg dishes last?
Most cooked egg dishes keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. The table shows the rest, including what you can freeze.
| Food | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Raw eggs in the shell | 3 to 5 weeks | Don’t freeze |
| Raw egg whites | 2 to 4 days | 12 months |
| Raw egg yolks | 2 to 4 days | Don’t freeze well |
| Hard-boiled eggs | 1 week | Don’t freeze |
| Egg casseroles, after baking | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Quiche, after baking | 3 to 4 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Egg salad | 3 to 4 days | Not recommended |
| Commercial eggnog | 3 to 5 days | 6 months |
| Homemade eggnog | 2 to 4 days | Don’t freeze |
Frequently asked questions
Should you wash eggs before storing them?
No. Wash water can be drawn into the egg through the pores in the shell, and egg processors already wash and sanitize USDA-graded eggs.
Are eggs that crack while boiling safe to eat?
Yes, eggs that crack during hard cooking are safe. Cracked eggs at the store are different, because bacteria can enter through cracks in the shell, so never buy them.
How long does egg salad last in the fridge?
Egg salad keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Freezing is not recommended.
How long does quiche last in the fridge?
Quiche keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator after baking. In the freezer it keeps 1 to 2 months.
How long does eggnog last?
Commercial eggnog keeps 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer. Homemade eggnog keeps 2 to 4 days and shouldn't be frozen.
How long do raw egg yolks last?
Raw egg yolks keep 2 to 4 days in the refrigerator. They don't freeze well.
How long can eggs sit out of the fridge?
Refrigerated eggs shouldn't be left out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). A cold egg left out can sweat, which helps bacteria move into the egg, and any Salmonella in or on the egg multiplies at room temperature.
