How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last? (2024)

Egg

We’ve got the hard-boiled data on longegg-vity, and how peeled versus unpeeled, refrigerated versus not (hint: don’t do that) affects shelf life.

by: Coral Lee

February27,2020

15Comments

Photo by James Ransom

15 Comments

So, you took the time to hard-boil some eggs for a weekend Easter egg-dyeing project (or, you know, tomorrow's desk salad). But when it comes to boiling eggs—how long in advance is too long in advance? Should they be stored peeled or unpeeled? And should you not have—gasp—left them on the counter overnight? We’ve got the answers below.

How long do hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge?

Whether peeled or unpeeled, hard-boiled eggs will stay A-OK for up to a week in the fridge.

Should they be stored peeled or unpeeled?

Keeping the eggs in-shell will protect them from drying out, as the shell acts as a moisture barrier. Keep the eggs corralled in a bowl or empty egg carton—but make sure to label them as cooked, so as to not confuse them with your similar-looking raw, in-shell eggs.

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If you’re very committed to storing the eggs unpeeled, make sure to tuck a lightly dampened cloth in with the babies, in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can store peeled eggs submerged in cold water, in an airtight container. Just be sure to refresh that water daily.

How to Tell If Your Eggs Are *Still* Edible
This Viral Hack May Change the Way You Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs

...unrefrigerated?

As with all cooked foods left out at room temperature (aka the Danger Zone), hard-boiled eggs are no longer deemed safe after two hours. Instead, drop the eggs post-boil in a bowl of ice water, and transfer the cooled eggs to the fridge for longer shelf-life.

Some egg-citing uses for those (safe!)eggs:

The Prettiest Pickled Egg Recipe You Ever Did See, Thanks to Veggies
Julia Turshen’s Curried Egg Salad Is the Easiest Egg Salad, Thanks to This Trick
What’s your favorite way to cook an egg? Tell us about it in the comments.

Tags:

  • How to Cook
  • Food Safety

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

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Written by: Coral Lee

Coral Lee is an Associate Editor at Food52. Before this, she cooked food solely for photos. Before that, she cooked food solely for customers. And before that, she shot lasers at frescoes in Herculaneum and taught yoga. When she's not writing about or making food, she's thinking about it. Her Heritage Radio Network show, "Meant to be Eaten," explores cross-cultural exchange as afforded by food. You can follow her on Instagram @meanttobeeaten.

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15 Comments

LoisKT April 6, 2023

Useless

Katie S. April 29, 2022

I steam eggs to hard boil them. Then I store them in the fridge in ice water. After about 2 days, they develop a grayish layer around the yolks. I use organic, pasture-raised eggs, but this happens with any eggs. The longer they are stored, that darker the grey layer on the yolk! It's so unappetizing. This article offers no help with this issue!

Cosmic L. April 6, 2023

It might be your water. Have you tried using distilled to store? Or just skip the water bath and use their suggestion to store in an airtight container with a slightly damp paper towel to prevent drying out.

EA0422 April 25, 2022

I steam my eggs 12 minutes then into ice water bath . First saw this on Cooks Illustrated website. Works great for me. Going to try Air Fry as well, just haven’t yet .

Jenny April 22, 2022

My experience is that a raw egg will spin wobbly while the boiled egg spins rapidly and smoothly.

Ellen April 22, 2022

I have been using the method my Mom uses. Boil for 6 Minutes and shock them by putting cold water on the immediately. It works for me!

maria V. April 21, 2022

We make Easter bread every year. The dough is braided and a raw egg is nestled in the braids. The bread with the raw egg is the.cooked for over 30 minutes. These are usually made on Good Friday and last, at room temperature for many days, sometimes a week later. This is what my Mom did and now do I. Never had an issue. Is it because the egg was cooked for 30 minutes in the oven?

Susan L. April 21, 2022

My husband draws funny faces on boiled eggs so I know the difference. It’s pretty cute.

Judy March 5, 2020

My eggs go into my steamer rack over simmering water in a pan with the lid on. The time is about the same with 13 minutes for hard. They are the easiest peeling eggs after the ice bath I have ever made. Perfect for making deviled or pickled eggs.

Pete M. March 3, 2020

You I can keep hardboiled eggs significantly longer if you pickle them in vinegar. If you pickle them with beets (and onion), the outside of the egg turns a lovely purple color.

Parrotmom February 29, 2020

I'm puzzled. A raw egg at room temperature will remain good for days. Why is an unshelled boiled egg only good for 2 hours? What has changed to affect "keepability"

Magdalena R. March 1, 2020

Not sure if you're talking about standard supermarket eggs, or farmer market eggs (or European eggs, for that matter), but standard supermarket eggs are rinsed in a bleach wash before going to market, for sanitisation, thus removing eggs' natural protective coating. Eggs in Europe do not undergo this process.
That being, I've left hardboiled standard supermarket eggs out for 24 hours in a 65-70F room and had no problems when I ate them.

Melissa C. February 27, 2020

don't remember where i learned this, but if you've mixed up your boiled/raw eggs, you can spin them, stop them briefly, and let go. if they keep spinning, it is raw!

Marty L. February 28, 2020

Actually it is the hard boiled egg that will keep spinning. If it is raw, it will not spin because the center is liquid

Randy H. April 7, 2020

Have you tried it lately, Marty? Because I have, and the raw egg keeps spinning because the heavy yolk floating in the liquid (more a gel than a liquid) white keeps moving after you stop the shell. It will pull the shell with it when you release pressure.

How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last? (2024)

FAQs

How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last? ›

Hard-boiled eggs can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to one week, says Brigman. After boiling, cool them quickly in an ice bath before transferring them to the fridge.

Can you eat hard-boiled eggs after 10 days? ›

Information. Hard cooked eggs can be stored in the refrigerator up to seven days, either left in their shells or peeled. Make sure eggs are refrigerated within two hours after cooking, and don't leave refrigerated cooked eggs out at room temperature for more than two hours.

How long will hard-boiled eggs in the shell last in the refrigerator? ›

How To Safely Store Hard-Boiled Eggs. According to the Food and Drug Administration, you can keep hard-cooked eggs in the refrigerator for up to seven days after they have been cooked. 1 And it doesn't matter whether the eggs are already peeled or still in the shell. Either way, they will last for a week.

How far in advance can I boil eggs for deviled eggs? ›

If you are responsible for bringing deviled eggs, you can give yourself a head start with these tips: Boil the eggs up to 48 hours in advance. Peel, cut in half, and remove yolks. Place egg whites on tray, cover with plastic wrap, and store in fridge.

What is the lifespan of a hard-boiled egg? ›

When handled and stored properly, hard-boiled eggs stay fresh for about 1 week. Hard-boiled eggs should be stored on an inside shelf of your fridge, and cooled within 2 hours of cooking. For the best quality, store them unpeeled and inside an egg carton or air-tight container.

How can you tell if a hard-boiled egg has gone bad? ›

A slimy or chalky shell can indicate bacteria or mold growth, while a brown shell is a sign of spoilage. If any of these signs are present, toss the egg to be safe. And as stated, a foul odor is also a sign of rottenness, so you should discard the hard-boiled egg to avoid getting sick.

Can you eat two week old hard-boiled eggs? ›

Hard-boiled eggs, peeled or unpeeled, are safe to eat up to seven days or one full week after they were cooked. To make sure they stay fresh, allow the cooked eggs cool a bit, and then store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Is it better to use old or new eggs for deviled eggs? ›

Fresh eggs, with their smaller air sacs, are more likely to have a smooth ovoid shape when peeled, which looks more appealing in applications as deviled eggs. OFF-CENTER YOLK: Fresher eggs are more likely (though not guaranteed) to have centered yolks, again leading to more attractive deviled eggs.

Is it better to peel hard-boiled eggs right away? ›

For maximum freshness, leave them in their shells until you are ready to eat or prepare. The shell will help to protect the egg from bacteria, and can help prevent them from absorbing odors from other foods in your refrigerator.

Why are they called deviled eggs? ›

The term deviled egg comes from an 18th-century culinary term that the Oxford English Dictionary originally used to describe a fried or boiled dish that was highly seasoned. and this was eventually used to also include spicy, condiment-filled dishes, as well.

Is it OK to eat old hard-boiled eggs? ›

According to the FDA, refrigerated hard-boiled eggs, peeled or unpeeled, last for exactly one week. This means it's safe to cook a batch of hard-boiled eggs for your weekly meal prep—but cook no more than you and your family will consume in a week.

Is it okay to eat grey egg yolk? ›

The dreaded grey ring on boiled eggs, explained

Although it may look unappealing, the USDA assures us that the green colour is safe to consume!

Why are my hard-boiled eggs black around the yolk? ›

That iron sulphide is what creates the odd color around the yolk. So, if you see these little rings in your hard-boiled eggs, it simply means the eggs may be slightly overcooked.

Are 10 day old eggs safe to eat? ›

"Those expiration dates are on some egg cartons to make sure that retailers don't keep eggs on shelves past a certain date," Maloberti says. "However, eggs can be safely eaten two to three weeks past that date. Depending on where [you live], the expiration date may be labeled as Sell By, Use By, Exp. By or Best By."

Can I eat 8 day old boiled eggs? ›

Hard-cooked eggs, which have been quickly cooled and placed in the refrigerator in their shells should be consumed within seven days.

Is it safe to eat 10 hard-boiled eggs a day? ›

Consuming 10 eggs per day is not recommended. Eggs are very high in protein, which is a nutrient that can impair kidney function and increased the risk for kidney stones if overly consumed. Eating 10 or more eggs per day is also not recommended because a healthy diet should be varied and diverse.

Do eggs expire after 2 weeks? ›

After the eggs reach home, they may be refrigerated 3 to 5 weeks from the date they are placed in the refrigerator. The Sell-By date will usually expire during that length of time, but the eggs are perfectly safe to use.

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