The Best Way to Store Eggs for a Longer Shelf Life
The Best Way to Refrigerate Eggs
To last the longest in the fridge, eggs should be refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, recommends Elisa Malobert, food safety manager at the American Egg Board. They should be stored in their original carton on an inside shelf, not in the door, which "prevents temperature fluctuations and protects them from absorbing odors from other foods." Raw eggs with shells should also be stored away from pungent foods to keep them from absorbing other odors in the fridge. Stored properly, whole raw eggs refrigerated in their shells can last about three weeks from their purchase date, or about four to five weeks beyond their pack date.
Raw Eggs Outside Their Shells
When storing raw eggs outside their shells, keep them in a tightly sealed container. If you’re storing separated raw egg yolks, the American Egg Board recommends covering them in water to keep them from drying out. Then, drain the water before using. Refrigerated raw egg whites can last up to four days in the fridge, while refrigerated raw yolks can last up to two days. Slightly beaten raw eggs (whites and yolks combined) can also last up to two days in the fridge.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs in their shells can last up to one week in the fridge. Store them in a covered container in the main compartment of the fridge to prevent odor absorption. Peeled hard-boiled eggs, meanwhile, should be used the same day they are prepared, according to the American Egg Board.
Pickled Eggs
Sealed, unopened containers of commercially pickled eggs can last for months on the shelf, according to the USDA. Once opened, pickled eggs should be refrigerated and used within one week. The USDA does not recommend pickling and canning your own eggs at home.
How to Freeze Eggs
If you want your eggs to last a really long time, it is possible to freeze them. Raw whole eggs, or separated raw yolks or whites, can last up to one year in a freezer set to zero degrees Fahrenheit or colder. The American Egg Board does not recommend freezing whole raw eggs in their shells, or freezing hard-boiled eggs in any form.
How to Tell if a Raw Egg is Still Good
There’s a kitchen myth that if an egg floats when placed in water, it has gone bad. However, "the common ‘float test’ isn’t a reliable freshness indicator," Malobert says. Eggs that are older than their expiration or "sell by" date are also not necessarily bad. An expiration date "tells the grocery store how long to display eggs on the refrigerated shelves, which also reflects when the eggs will be of optimum quality," Malobert says. Eggs stored correctly remain safe past this date as long as they are fully cooked.
Can You Store Eggs Outside of the Fridge?
Keeping eggs in the fridge is pretty much a given in the U.S., as well as in Canada, Japan, and Scandinavia, according to the USDA. However, many other countries, including most in Europe, do not refrigerate their eggs, keeping them at room temperature at grocery stores and at home.
Why Do We Refrigerate Our Eggs in the U.S.?
It comes down to the way eggs are cleaned and treated. In the U.S., eggs are spray-washed before they hit store shelves, a practice that began in the 1970s. Spray-washing eggs strips them of their naturally occurring outer membrane, or "cuticle," which prevents infection from salmonella and other bacteria, according to the USDA. Other countries do not spray-wash their eggs, meaning the eggs keep their protective coating. Some European countries argue that preserving the eggs’ protective coating makes refrigeration unnecessary because the eggs are naturally shielded from infection.
Conclusion
Eggs are a staple in many households, but with rising prices and concerns about food safety, it’s essential to know the best ways to store and prepare them. By following these tips, you can extend the shelf life of your eggs and enjoy them for a longer period.
FAQs
Q: How long do eggs last in the fridge?
A: Whole raw eggs can last about three weeks from their purchase date, or about four to five weeks beyond their pack date.
Q: How do I know if an egg is still good?
A: Check the "Julian date" or pack date on the carton. Eggs that have been properly refrigerated can last for four or five weeks beyond their pack date.
Q: Can I store eggs outside of the fridge?
A: Yes, many countries do not refrigerate their eggs, keeping them at room temperature at grocery stores and at home.
Q: Why do we refrigerate our eggs in the U.S.?
A: It’s due to the way eggs are cleaned and treated. In the U.S., eggs are spray-washed before they hit store shelves, stripping them of their protective coating.
