Eggs are one of the most dependable staples in the kitchen. They’re affordable, versatile, and easy to buy in bulk, which makes them a go-to for stretching a grocery budget. But with food prices climbing, as seen in a recent CNET survey every carton counts. If you’re only relying on the “best by” date on the carton, you might be tossing perfectly good eggs too soon.
Knowing how long eggs really last can save money and help you get the most out of every carton. Storage makes a big difference, and simple steps like keeping them in the coldest part of the fridge (instead of the door) can extend their shelf life.
To clear up the confusion, we asked food safety experts to explain how to tell if eggs are still good, how long they keep, and the best ways to store them. Here’s what you need to know before deciding whether that carton belongs on the breakfast table or in the trash.
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How long do eggs last in the fridge?
According to the US Department of Agriculture, eggs typically stay good for three to five weeks in the fridge. They “often remain safe to eat for a week or two beyond that date, as long as they’ve been kept refrigerated,” said Zachary Cartwright, a member of the Food Safety and Quality Management Division at the Institute of Food Technologists and lead food scientist at Aqualab by Addium.
There are ways to maximize an egg’s freshness. Cartwright says you should keep your eggs in their original carton and “with the pointed end down to help maintain their freshness by keeping the air cell at the top. This slows moisture loss and keeps the yolk centered.”
It’s also important to store eggs in the coldest part of your fridge rather than the door since the temperature fluctuates in that area, he says. Hard-boiled eggs that are still in their shell stay good for about a week in the fridge, according to the USDA.
Why do we refrigerate eggs?
“In the U.S., eggs must be refrigerated due to the washing process that removes the natural protective coating on the shell, making them more susceptible to bacteria,” Cartwright says. “In some other countries, eggs are not refrigerated because they retain their protective coating. However, once eggs are refrigerated, they should remain so to prevent condensation, which can promote bacterial growth.”
According to State Food Safety, the U.S. washes its eggs to prevent the spread of salmonella. The USDA also recommends that eggs from a hen be stored in the fridge as soon as possible after they are gathered.
Can I freeze eggs?
Yes, but not in their shells. One option for freezing eggs is to crack them and then beat them together before storing them. Or you can freeze the egg yolks and whites separately. According to the USDA, the whites are more optimal for freezing because the texture stays the same, but if you want to freeze the yolks, you’ll need to add salt and corn syrup or sugar to help with the consistency. Individual eggs can be frozen separately in ice cube trays and muffin pans, and they can stay frozen for up to one year.
You can also cook scrambled eggs or egg bites and store them in the freezer for two to three months. Although eggs can spoil, they often stay fresh much longer than you’d think.
How to test egg freshness
If you want to check if your eggs are still good before you crack them, you can perform a simple float test with your egg and a glass of cold water.
First, fill a large glass with cold water, then gently drop the egg inside. If the egg sinks and turns to its side, it’s still perfectly good to eat. If the egg sinks, but stays upright, it’s also still OK to eat, but it is an older egg and should be used soon. If the egg floats straight to the top of the water, that’s your sign that it has gone bad and should be thrown away.
“This test works because air builds up inside the egg as it ages, making it more buoyant,” Cartwright says.
One important thing to remember about the egg test is that if one of the eggs in the carton passes the test, that doesn’t mean all of them will. Individually test each one before cooking it and pay attention to the smell after you crack the egg open. “A strong, sulfur-like odor is a clear sign the egg has gone bad,” Cartwright says.
Something else to look out for is “unusual coloring, such as a pink, green or iridescent hue in the egg white or yolk, which can indicate bacterial contamination,” Cartwright adds.
Is the “best by” date on eggs accurate?
Cartwright says that the best by date on eggs is “a guideline, not a strict rule,” adding that eggs are often good for one to two weeks after the date printed on the carton, as long as they’ve been refrigerated.
“As eggs age, their quality diminishes — they may lose some firmness, and the whites might become thinner — but they can still be safe to eat,” he says.
Is it bad to eat expired eggs?
We’ve confirmed with experts that the “best by” date on a carton of eggs serves as a guideline, not a strict rule. So, it may not be bad to eat an expired egg, provided you’ve verified that it’s not spoiled.
To check if an egg is still good, perform the simple float test, check for any odd colors in the egg white and yolk and smell for any sulfur-like odor. If any of your eggs fail one of these tests, toss them into your food waste; if they pass, they should be safe to consume. But obviously, the best thing is to always eat your eggs before the “best by” date has passed.
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