Dietitians often hail whole eggs as one of the most perfect foods on the planet because they contain all nine essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. It’s no surprise that you’d want to keep healthy hard-boiled eggs on hand for snacks, quick sandwiches and even salad toppers!
But how long do hard-boiled eggs last? It’s as easy to boil up a whole carton as it is to boil a couple eggs, so this is the question home cooks face while being mindful of the fine line between being prepared and being wasteful.
How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last in the Fridge?
Hard-boiled eggs have a surprisingly long shelf life, making it easy to batch cook without too much worry that they’ll go bad before you eat them.
“Hard-boiled eggs will last for about three to four days in the fridge,” says Herve Malivert, director of culinary affairs at the Institute of Culinary Education. “After four or five days, I would toss them.” The U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s guidelines offer more leeway, saying that hard-boiled eggs should be used within a week of cooking.
One caveat to keep in mind is how fresh your eggs are to begin with, as using older eggs will shorten their shelf life. Here’s a pro tip: When you bring home a fresh carton, turn all your eggs upside-down to keep them fresher even longer.
To peel or not to peel—that’s the next question. Cyril Kabaoglu, lead instructor of culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education, says hard-boiled eggs should be stored peeled, because it will only get harder to peel them over time. If you’re going to keep the eggs in the fridge for more than a couple days, however, Malivert says to store them with the shells on to help protect the eggs from drying out.
Do you know how to peel a hard-boiled egg?
How to Tell if Hard-Boiled Eggs Have Gone Bad
Always start with a sniff test when determining if your hard-boiled eggs are past their prime. “Toss them when your nose tells you to,” urges Kabaoglu. If you’re still debating, take a look at their appearance. “You’ll notice a slimy, sticky texture and they’ll turn slightly gray in color,” says Malivert.
Consult this handy guide for how long food is good in the refrigerator for any other ingredients you’re questioning.
How to Store Hard-Boiled Eggs
Much like storing uncooked eggs requires refrigeration, so does storing cooked eggs. After you’ve peeled them, pop them in a container with a tight-fitting lid and place them in the fridge. Adding a damp towel may help them stay fresher longer.
Can You Freeze Hard-Boiled Eggs?
While you can freeze cooked eggs (think: scrambled), we don’t recommend freezing hard-boiled eggs. They will become tough and rubbery, and generally not tasty.
How to Use Hard-Boiled Eggs
There are at least five different ways to make perfect hard-boiled eggs, and once that step is complete, the sky’s the limit. Prepare an old-fashioned egg salad, a curried egg salad, scrumptious Scotch eggs, creamy deviled eggs, a rustic nicoise salad or potato salad.
Of course, you can always sprinkle on a little salt and pepper and pop them into your mouth for immediate satisfaction!
Ramen Sliders
I grew up eating ramen and love it to this day. A fun spin on my favorite type of noodle soup, these sliders are topped with an egg and kimchi. —Julie Teramoto, Los Angeles, California
Smoked Salmon Egg Salad
Served on croissants, these grown-up sandwiches offer a great way to use leftover Easter eggs. Salmon adds smoky flavor. —Cathy Tang, Redmond, Washington
Nana's Italian Roulade
My great-aunt from Sicily taught my mother how to stuff and bake a steak in a jelly-roll style. It’s unique and really special in our family. —Roseanne McDonald, Days Creek, Oregon
Kale & Bacon Salad with Honey-Horseradish Vinaigrette
Totally scrumptious and packed with nutrition, this salad was my response to friends who asked how they could incorporate kale into their diets without sacrificing taste. It is also wonderful made with collard or mustard greens, prepared in the same fashion as the kale, or with a mix of spinach & arugula or watercress. —Elizabeth Warren, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Herbed Tuna Sandwiches
A delightful combination of herbs and reduced-fat cheese makes this simple tuna sandwich a standout. —Marie Connor, Virginia Beach, Virginia
BLT Chicken Salad
Featuring all the fun fixings for a BLT chicken sandwich, this salad is so lovable. I can prep the ingredients ahead of time and just throw it together at the last minute. Barbecue sauce in the dressing gives it unexpected flavor. Even picky eaters love my chicken salads. —Cindy Moore, Mooresville, North Carolina
Zucchini Burgers
With just-picked-from-the-garden-zucchini, your kids won’t even know these burgers are meatless. —Kimberly Danek Pinkson, San Anselmo, California
Stuffed Meat Loaf Slices
This is a family favorite requested for special occasions. We received it from a fellow faculty member when my husband and I were in our first years of teaching. —Judy Knaupp, Rickreall, Oregon
Copycat Chicken Salad
This recipe is incredibly easy to make, and your family will love it. The sweet pickle relish gives it its signature taste. I like to use a thick, crusty oat bread for this sandwich. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Pesto-Dijon Egg Salad Sandwiches
Turn your old-standby egg salad into your new lunch favorite. Honey Dijon mustard and pesto add a sensational, savory spin, and the celery and onion lend nice crunch. —Carrie Kenny, Batavia, Ohio
Quick Nicoise Salad
Like the French, I pack my classic Nicoise salad with veggies, potatoes, tuna and eggs. Cooking the potatoes and beans together helps the dish come together fast. —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri
Almond Chicken Salad
These little sandwiches with zingy toppings are super simple to pull together. This classic version originated in a deli in Prague, where they're a really popular winter party food. —Cara McDonald, Winter Park, Colorado
Cobb Salad Sub
When we need a quick meal to share, we turn Cobb salad into a sandwich masterpiece. Sometimes I substitute tortillas for the bread and make wraps instead. —Kimberly Grusendorf, Medina, Ohio
Judy's Macaroni Salad
After finding this vintage macaroni salad recipe years ago, I tweaked the flavor and bumped up the pickles. Tuck this dill pickle pasta salad inside your picnic basket. —Elizabeth Kirchgatter, Maysville, Kentucky
Bacon 'n' Egg Lasagna
My sister-in-law served this special dish for Easter breakfast one year, and our whole family loved the mix of bacon, eggs, noodles and cheese. Now I sometimes assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning for a terrific hassle-free brunch entree. —Dianne Meyer, Graniteville, Vermont
Cauliflower Potato Salad
Cauliflower in potato salad? You bet, along with carrots, olives and other yummy surprises. —Mike Schulz, Tawas City, Michigan
Veggie Nicoise Salad
More and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish...and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois
Deviled Egg Spread
I tried this egg salad at a luncheon and had to have it. I punched it up with pickled banana peppers. It’s a hit with my kids and picky mother. —Lisa Easley, Longview, Texas
Gluten-Free Potato Salad
In college, my best friend and I debated whose mom made the best potato salad. Turns out they were almost identical! Even though I've since tweaked our recipe, this gluten-free potato salad still takes me home again. —Ellie Martin Cliffe, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Campfire Cheese Hash Brown Packets
Dining by the campfire? This easy packet of potatoes, bacon and cheese makes a terrific hash. We like to serve it with eggs and fresh pico de gallo. —Gina Nistico, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Thai-Style Cobb Salad
This veggie salad is like a mix of Cobb salad and my favorite summer rolls. If you have leftover chicken, toss it in. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Bacon 'n' Egg Sandwiches
I came across this unique grilled combo when I was digging in my mom's recipe box. The crisp bacon, hard-boiled eggs and crunchy green onions make these cozy sandwiches look impressive when company drops by for lunch. Best of all, they're a snap to assemble. —Ann Fuemmeler, Glasgow, Missouri
Classic Egg Salad
Egg salad is a refreshing, tasty change from lunchmeat or peanut butter sandwiches. The touch of mustard and lemon juice gives it extra zip. —Annemarie Pietila, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
My spinach salad with a comforting bacon dressing is a recipe I turn to again and again in winter. It's quick, elegant and so delicious. I can always count on compliments. —Sandy Davis, Prescott, Arizona
Curried Olive Egg Salad
Accessorizing the humble egg salad sandwich with olives, curry powder and celery seed really bumps up the flavor of lunch. —Anita Doyle, Dodgeville, Wisconsin
Warm Potato Salad
My mother-in-law was from the Bahamas and famous for her cooking, including this warm potato salad. Everyone knew her affectionately as 'Momma'. Every Sunday after church she set out a feast not just for her family, but for anyone who was hungry in her neighborhood. —Pamela Vitti Knowles, Hendersonville, North Carolina
Garden-Fresh Chef Salad
For much of the year, I can use my garden's produce when I make this cool salad. In spring, the salad mix and radishes come from my crop. In summer, I use the tomatoes, cabbage and carrots. What a good feeling! —Evelyn Gubernath, Bucyrus, Ohio
Make-Ahead Hearty Six-Layer Salad
This salad is an all-time favorite. I reach for the recipe whenever I need a dish to pass. It is easy to make, can be assembled ahead of time and looks marvelous. —Noreen Meyer, Madison, Wisconsin
Barbecue Chicken Cobb Salad
I turned barbecue chicken into a major salad with romaine, carrots, sweet peppers and avocados. That’s how I got my family to eat more veggies. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah
Dilly Potato & Egg Salad
Everyone has a favorite potato salad, and this is mine. As a young bride, I was eager to learn how to cook and make things that my husband would love. I combined my mom's and his mom's recipes, and this potato and egg salad the delicious result. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Pesto Egg Salad Sandwiches
For a casual springtime meal with a twist, boil up some eggs and dinner will be done presto. —Tenley Haraldson, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Grandma's Spinach Salad
With all its fresh ingredients, this pretty spinach salad was my grandma’s favorite. Even my little ones like it (but don’t tell them spinach is good for them)! —Shelley Riebel, Armada, Michigan
Easy Macaroni Salad
This hearty pasta salad is sure to please appetites of all ages—and it serves a lot of folks! —LaVerna Mjones, Moorhead, Minnesota
Creamy Egg Salad
I love the versatility of this creamy egg salad. You can serve it on a nest of mixed greens, tucked into a sandwich or with your favorite crisp crackers. —Cynthia Kohlberg, Syracuse, Indiana
Classic Cobb Salad
Making this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I “plant” everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, PennsylvaniaThe post How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last in the Fridge? appeared first on Taste of Home.
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