Eggs are one of those items everyone keeps in the fridge. They’re inexpensive, ridiculously versatile, and complement nearly everything. You scramble them, you bake with them, you add them to a salad they appear everywhere. And when you see a date on the carton, it’s natural to wonder whether they’re still good to eat.
So how long do eggs actually last? And how do you know if one’s gone bad without just hoping for the best? Here’s the no-hassle, no-nonsense guide.
1. What the date on the egg carton really means
Alright, let’s start here. That little date stamped on the carton? It’s not an expiration date, even though it might look like one. It’s usually just a “sell by” or “best by” date, which is more about freshness than safety.
So don’t panic if the date’s passed. As long as you’ve kept the eggs cold, they can still be totally fine for a while. The date isn’t the final word.
2. What occurs when eggs age
With time, air penetrates the shell. The more aged the egg, the more air it contains, that is why older eggs float while fresher one’s sink. The yolk also becomes slightly flattened and the white becomes more spread out when you break it.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the eggs bad. It just means it’s not quite as fresh. If it smells bad, though sort of like sulfur or just plain rotten that’s your cue to throw it out.
3. How long eggs tend to remain good
If your refrigerator is cold and nice, eggs will keep for three to five weeks after they come home with you. A few people claim to have used eggs well over a month past the printed date and never had any issues.
The important thing is how they’ve been kept. If they’ve remained consistently cold and don’t stink or look off, then they’re likely still usable.
4. How to know if eggs are still good to use
Not sure whether that egg in the refrigerator is all right? Try one of these simple tricks:
Water test: Put water in a glass or bowl and drop the egg in. If it sinks and rests flat, it’s fresh. If it stands up or floats, it’s old. Floating means it’s time to toss it.
Shake it up: Hold it against your ear and shake it gently. If it sloshes, it’s getting old not bad, just not great.
Crack and smell: This one’s the best. Crack it open and take a whiff. If it’s off, sour, or smells funky in any way, it’s out.
Examine the texture: A really runny white and flat yolk indicates that it isn’t fresh. Still okay for scrambled eggs or cooking, just not so good for sunny side up.
5. Optimal storage for your eggs
Where you store your eggs and how you store them actually does make a difference.
Keep them in the carton. It keeps them better and prevents them from drying out.
Keep them in the back of the fridge not in the door. The door gets warmer every time it opens.
Check for cracks. If you find one, don’t risk it unless you’re cooking it right away.
If an egg cracks on the way home but hasn’t leaked, you can break it into a clean container and use it soon. Just cook it thoroughly.
6. What about cooked eggs?
After eggs are heated, they don’t keep for as long. Hard-boiled eggs will last around a week in the refrigerator. The same with egg salad, frittatas, and any egg-containing baked good.
Whatever it is, refrigerate it and make an effort to consume it within five to seven days. Also, don’t let cooked eggs sit out for more than a couple hours. That’s when bacteria begin to develop.
7. Can eggs get you sick?
They can, but it’s not really very common. The big danger is salmonella, and that’s really only from raw or undercooked eggs. Cooking them completely eliminates the problem.
If you’re scrambling, cook them until they’re not watery. If you’re baking, ensure that it’s cooked completely throughout. And yeah, as enticing as it is, perhaps avoid the raw cookie dough unless it’s with pasteurized eggs.
8. Fresh eggs from a farm or backyard? A little different
If you’ve got access to eggs from a local farm or someone’s backyard coop, they might not be washed. That’s actually a good thing unwashed eggs still have a natural coating that helps protect them from bacteria.
In most other locations, eggs aren’t refrigerated at all due to them being left unwashed. However, if you don’t know if they’ve been washed or not, it’s better to be safe than sorry and store them in the refrigerator like those bought from the store.
9. You can freeze eggs too
Got too many eggs and not enough time to use them? Just freeze them.
This is how to do it:
- Beat them lightly in a bowl and crack them in.
- Pour into a small freezer container or ice cube tray.
- Label and freeze.
You may also freeze yolks and whites separately if desired. They will be usable in the freezer for one year, but use them as soon as possible within three to six months for the freshest flavor and texture. To use them, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
10. Don’t throw away good eggs for nothing
Many people discard eggs simply because the carton date expired, or simply because the yolk is slightly flat. But that isn’t necessarily a good reason. If the egg still smells good, looks good, and will float, then it’s likely completely safe.
Eggs don’t spoil overnight. You can afford to wait. Use your senses your nose, your eyes, and a cup of water. That’s all you need to make the decision.
The bottom line
Eggs take longer than most assume. If you have kept them refrigerated, stored properly, and they look and smell good, then they are probably still safe to eat even if the package is expired.
So don’t dispose of them yet, just do a quick test. You could save money, reduce food waste, and still enjoy perfectly fine eggs.
