How long are eggs considered fresh?

Eggs are one of the most versatile foods and a staple ingredient in many cuisines around the world. Knowing how long eggs stay fresh can help minimize food waste and ensure you are cooking with high-quality eggs.

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How do you determine if an egg is fresh?

There are a few easy ways to test if eggs are still fresh and safe to eat:

Check the expiration or sell-by date on the carton – this will give you an idea of how old the eggs are.
Do the float test – place the egg in a bowl of cool water. If it sinks to the bottom and lays flat on its side, it’s very fresh. If it floats to the top, it’s old and should be discarded.
Crack it open – the yolk and white should be firm, not runny. The yolk should stand up tall and the white should cling tightly to the yolk.

Smell it – rotten eggs will have a distinct sulfurous odor.

How long do eggs last in the refrigerator?

Properly stored fresh eggs have a decent shelf life:

Raw eggs in the shell – 4 to 5 weeks past the pack date on the carton.

Raw egg whites – 2 to 4 days from when separated from the yolk.
Raw egg yolks – 2 to 4 days when stored alone in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Hard boiled eggs – 1 week when stored in the refrigerator in their shells or peeled.

The refrigerator temperature should be kept between 35-40°F for maximum freshness. The door shelves tend to be warmer, so eggs are best stored towards the back on an inside shelf.

What affects the freshness of eggs?

There are several factors that can impact how long eggs stay fresh and edible:

Temperature – warmer temperatures decrease shelf life. Store eggs in the coldest part of the refrigerator.

Cracked shells – cracks allow bacteria to enter so use cracked eggs immediately.
Expiration date – don’t go by the carton date alone, do the float test.
Storage method – eggs left at room temp age more quickly. Refrigerate in their carton.

Washing eggs – reduces the protective covering so unwashed eggs last longer.
Egg white vs. yolk – the fat in the yolk goes rancid quicker than the egg white.

Proper handling and storage makes the biggest difference in egg freshness.

How can you tell if eggs are expired or rotten?

Here are the signs that indicate eggs have gone bad and should be thrown out:

Unpleasant sulfurous odor – this strong “rotten egg” smell means there is bacterial growth.
Cloudiness – if the whites look opaque or watery rather than clear.

Pink, orange, green or black yolk – normal yolks should be bright yellow.
Thin, watery egg whites – they should be thick and gloopy.
Yolk breaks easily and spreads – it should remain somewhat compact.

Any sign of mold growth on the shell.

Do the float test if eggs smell funky or you’re unsure of freshness. If they float, they should be discarded. When in doubt, throw it out.

Can you eat expired eggs?

It’s not recommended to eat eggs that are past their “best by” or expiration date on the carton. As eggs age, the quality declines:

Whites thin out and spread more.
Yolks flatten and break more easily.
Air cell in the fat end of the egg gets larger.

Chances of bacterial contamination increase.

While old eggs are unlikely to make you severely sick, they can upset your stomach. Old egg whites may also not whip up properly.

Use the float test on expired eggs. If they sink, they can be hard cooked for use in dishes where appearance doesn’t matter as much. But floating eggs should be discarded.

How long are hard boiled eggs good for?

Hard boiled eggs last longer than raw eggs, both in and out of the shell. Here’s how long they stay fresh:

In shell, refrigerated – 1 week
Peeled, stored in water in fridge – up to 1 week (change water daily)

Peeled, drizzled with oil, refrigerated – 3-5 days
Peeled, tightly wrapped, refrigerated – 3-5 days
Peeled, refrigerated uncovered – 3 days

Hard cooked yolks turn green and rubbery over time, so peeled eggs kept longer than 5 days are best used in cooking/baking where appearance doesn’t matter.

Can you freeze eggs?

Yes, whole eggs can be frozen raw or cooked:

Raw whole eggs – Beat lightly and freeze up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.

Raw egg whites – Place in airtight container and freeze up to 1 year. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave at 50% power.
Raw yolks – Add a bit of salt or sugar before freezing up to 1 year. Thaw in the fridge.
Hard boiled eggs – Peel before freezing up to 1 year. Thaw before eating.

The freezer preserves eggs’ freshness. Thawed eggs are best used for baking, cooking, omelets, etc. Freezing causes the whites to become watery so thawed raw eggs aren’t ideal for frying, poaching, etc.

How should you store eggs?

To maximize freshness, eggs should be stored:

In the coldest part of the refrigerator, not the door.

In their original carton to prevent moisture loss – the carton helps regulate temperature.
With the pointed end down to keep the yolk centered.
Away from foods with strong odors like onions.

The firmer and cleaner the shell, the longer the egg will last. When possible, buy eggs from a store with high turnover to get the freshest cartons.

How should you handle eggs safely?

Raw eggs can contain salmonella bacteria so proper handling is important:

Wash hands and cooking tools/surfaces after cracking raw eggs.

Use separate cutting boards and plates for eggs.
Cook eggs thoroughly until both yolk and white are firm.
Never leave peeled hard boiled eggs at room temp more than 2 hours.

Refrigerate cooked egg dishes promptly in shallow containers.

Avoid consuming raw or undercooked eggs if you are pregnant, elderly, or have a weakened immune system.

Can you eat eggs past their expiration date?

It’s generally not recommended to eat eggs that are past their expiration date printed on the carton. As they age, quality deteriorates and bacteria risk increases. However, the sell-by date is not always an accurate indicator of freshness. Conduct the float test in water to check if they are still good. If expired eggs sink to the bottom and lay flat on their sides, they can be hard boiled if used immediately. But floating eggs should always be discarded. When in doubt, throw expired eggs out.

Conclusion

An egg’s freshness depends on proper handling and storage techniques. Refrigerated raw eggs typically stay fresh 4-5 weeks past the carton date. Old eggs develop an odor and the whites and yolks deteriorate in quality. Floating eggs should not be eaten. Cooked eggs last 1 week or longer refrigerated. Freezing extends shelf life. With proper storage, eggs rarely actually spoil before their expiration date. Conduct float and sniff tests to determine if eggs are still good to eat. When in doubt, throw eggs out. Following safe handling procedures reduces the risk of salmonella poisoning from raw eggs.