Eggs are a refrigerator staple. We’re almost never without a carton to bake with, turn into quick and satisfying breakfasts, and even easy dinners.
While you’ll find a “best by” date stamped on every dozen you take home from the grocery store, it can be confusing to know what that really means. Is it safe to cook with and eat your eggs if it’s past that date?
In general, eggs should last from 4-5 weeks in the fridge. Here’s a bit more about why that’s a safe estimate.
How to Read the Dates on an Egg Carton
No two egg cartons are the same when it comes to the date stamped on them. Some say “best buy” or “sell by” while other say “use by.” It’s cryptic messaging at best, leaving us all a little confused as to whether or not those eggs are fresh and safe to eat!
A more reliable date is what is known as the Julian date. This is a three-digit code you’ll find at the end of the long set of numbers and letters below or above the “best by” date. It’s the exact date the eggs were packed, 001 representing January 1 and 365 representing December 31.
The USDA has a chart available online to help you figure out that date. Your eggs will be safe to eat for up to 5 weeks past this date.
In Europe and in many other places outside of the United States, eggs are sold at room temperature.
The United States is an exception to this practice because, as an extra precaution against Salmonella contamination, the USDA requires eggs to be washed and sanitized before they’re sold to consumers. This process removes potential contaminants, but it also removes a natural protective coating on the shell that allows eggs to be stored safely at room temperature.
Thus, eggs in the United States must be refrigerated.
The Right Fridge Temperature for Storing Eggs
Eggs should be stored at a 40°F or below.
According to the USDA, when you do take them out of the refrigerator, you shouldn’t keep them out at room temperature for any longer than 2 hours. This is because eggs can sweat at room temperature, which can lead to potential bacteria growth that can enter the eggs through their porous shells.
How Long Cooked Eggs Will Keep in the Fridge
If you cracked and separated eggs to make meringue cookies or ice cream, you can store remaining yolks or whites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Scrambled eggs or cooked eggs that have been made into egg salad or a quiche should be refrigerated and eaten within 3 to 4 days. Hard-boiled eggs will last for a full week if stored unpeeled in the fridge.
Eggs may be refrigerated three to five weeks from the day they are placed in the refrigerator. The "Sell-By" date will usually expire during that length of time, but the eggs will be perfectly safe to use. Always purchase eggs before the "Sell-By" or EXP (expiration) date on the carton.
"As long as they're kept properly refrigerated at 40°F or lower, fresh eggs are safe to eat four to five weeks beyond the carton's Julian date," Maloberti says.
If the eggs sink to the bottom and lay flat on their side, they're still fresh. If they sink, but stand on one end at the bottom of the glass or bowl, the eggs are not as fresh but still edible. An egg that floats to the top is not fresh and could be spoiled.
Instructions. Old eggs or rotten eggs are acceptable in composting programs - including your home compost pile. Contact your local recycling coordinator to find out whether your local transfer station offers municipal composting. Or consider starting your own home compost bin for your organic materials!
The eggs stored in cold temperature tend to undergo condensation when they are taken out to room temperature. This promotes the growth of bacteria over the egg shell, thereby contaminating the egg and making it harmful for human consumption. Refrigerate only if you suspect salmonella infection.
Eggs may be refrigerated three to five weeks from the day they are placed in the refrigerator. The "Sell-By" date will usually expire during that length of time, but the eggs will be perfectly safe to use. Always purchase eggs before the "Sell-By" or EXP (expiration) date on the carton.
Information. An egg can float in water when its air cell has enlarged sufficiently to keep it buoyant. This means the egg is old, but it may be perfectly safe to use. Crack the egg into a bowl and examine it for an off-odor or unusable appearance before deciding to use or discard it.
The theory is that, as an egg ages, the air pocket inside it grows larger, buoying an old egg to the surface. But, according to Dr. Schaffner, “there is no scientific basis for the egg float test.” So experimenting to see if your egg sinks or swims is not a reliable way to measure its quality.
As long as the eggs have been properly stored at 40°F or below, they are safe to eat past the expiration date marked on the carton—usually three to five weeks from the day you place them in the refrigerator. Of course, when in doubt, do not eat the eggs and compost them instead.
Break the egg into a small dish and inspect the color.
If you see black or green spots inside the egg, it has been contaminated by fungus and should be thrown away. If the yolk of a hard-cooked egg has a green ring around it, this means the egg has been overcooked or was cooked in water with a high iron content.
When properly handled and stored, eggs rarely spoil. However, if you keep them too long, they are likely to dry up. These fresh egg storage tips below help you learn how to properly store eggs to last. Refrigerator Storage: Refrigerate eggs at 40°F or less.
The presence of bacteria inside an egg is what eventually causes it to “go bad,” or rot. However, keeping an egg at refrigerator temperatures (below 40°F, or 4°C) slows the growth of bacteria and helps prevent it from penetrating the shell ( 6 , 7 ).
Whether you use store-bought eggs and your refrigerator is set too cold, or it's wintertime and you own chickens, sometimes eggs can freeze in the shell before you use them. But are these chilly eggs still usable? The answer is yes, although their use is limited.
Make sure your fridge is set at 40°F or below, and keep the eggs in their carton. They should also be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, and not kept on the door, which tends to be warmer.
If you're experiencing an egg boom, it's smart to refrigerate any unwashed fresh eggs you aren't planning to eat immediately. This will help them last longer. Or give them away to friends or family. Washed eggs must be refrigerated and will last around two months in the refrigerator.
Liquid egg products without an expiration date can be stored at 40 °F or below for up to seven days. Once opened, use within three days. Don't freeze opened cartons or refreeze frozen cartons that have been thawed.
Scrambled eggs or cooked eggs that have been made into egg salad or a quiche should be refrigerated and eaten within 3 to 4 days. Hard-boiled eggs will last for a full week if stored unpeeled in the fridge.
But while older eggs, even those past the date on the carton, may suffer from diminished quality (smell and taste not so great), they are OK to eat or use in baking. “When the egg gets old, the yolk or the white of the egg may not hold its form and be runnier than expected,” explains Chapman.
Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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