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How Long Do Eggs Last Before Going Bad?

Discover how long eggs last and how to store them, test their freshness and maximise their shelf-life with our ultimate guide.

Eggs are an absolute kitchen staple. They’re versatile, nutritious and perfect for whipping up anything from breakfast omelettes to yummy baked goods. But how long do eggs stay fresh?

Whether you’re doubting the use-by date on the carton or have decanted your eggs from their box to a bowl, knowing how to check for freshness yourself can help you save money, reduce food waste and help keep your meals safe to eat.

From storage hacks to advice on both cooked and raw eggs, we’ve got all the advice you need. Let’s crack into it!

 

How Long do Eggs Last in the Fridge?

Should eggs be kept in the fridge or should they live in the cupboard? Let’s settle the debate.
The shelf-life of eggs depends on whether they’re cooked or uncooked and how they’re stored, but as a guide:

  • Fridge Storage: The cold temperature slows down bacterial growth, keeping your eggs safe and fresh for longer.
  • Cupboard Storage: Whilst the UK climate may allow for room-temperature storage, it’s better to refrigerate eggs if you want to maximise their shelf-life. However, in many countries, it’s not recommended to leave your eggs unrefrigerated for more than two hours!

So, how long can you keep your eggs in the fridge for?

 

How Long do Uncooked Eggs Last?


When stored in the fridge, uncooked eggs can last up to three weeks from the packing date (often shown as a three digit number on the box, for example 001 for January 1st and 365 for December 31st).
If you want to keep them fresh for as long as possible, aim to:

  • Store Them in Their Original Carton: Egg shells have thousands of tiny pores that can absorb strong odours from other foods, but the carton can protect against this!
  • Place Them in the Coldest Part of Your Fridge: Don’t store them in the door, as the temperature can fluctuate. Instead, place them towards the back of the middle shelf and ensure your fridge is set to 4°C or lower.

 

How Long do Cooked Eggs Last?

Cooked eggs have a shorter shelf life than raw ones and the way they’re prepared can determine how long they’ll stay fresh for:

  • Hard-Boiled Eggs: These last up to 7 days in the fridge after cooking.
  • Dishes Containing Egg: You should aim to eat dishes like quiche, omelette or shakshuka within 3-4 days.

When storing cooked eggs, always use airtight containers to keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out.

 

How Long can Egg Whites Last in the Fridge?

Been busy whipping up a meringue? If you have egg whites left over, these can keep up to four days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. If you need them to last longer, you can freeze them in ice cube trays - perfect for future baking or omelettes.

 

How to Store Eggs to Maximise Freshness

Storing eggs correctly is the secret to keeping them fresh for longer. Here are some handy tips:

  • Uncooked Eggs:
    • As mentioned earlier, keep them in their original carton to protect them from odours and moisture loss.
    • Avoid storing them in the fridge door where temperatures can fluctuate.
  • Cooked Eggs:
    • Pop them in airtight containers before refrigerating.
    • Label containers with dates to avoid any guessing games later.
  • Egg Whites and Yolks:
    • Store them separately in airtight containers.
    • To keep yolks from drying out, pour a tiny bit of cold water over them.

 

How to Test if Eggs are Good

Not sure if your eggs are still okay to eat? These quick tests will give you the answers:

  • Float Test: Place the egg in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs sink, while older ones float because of the air buildup inside.
  • Crack Test: Crack an egg into a bowl. A fresh egg will have a firm yolk and thick white. If it’s watery or has an odd smell, it’s time to toss it!
  • Sniff Test: If it’s a boiled egg you’re after, you might not want to crack it. In this case, you can check to see if it’s got any cracks or looks a bit slimy – these are bad signs!

Then, give it a sniff. A rotten or sulphuric smell is a sure sign that the egg has gone bad. (It’s worth saying that this is more unreliable than the other two tests!)
From refrigerating raw eggs to putting their freshness to the test with a float check, these tips will help you get the most out of every carton.

Egg-cited to get cooking? You can get fresh eggs delivered right to your doorstep from Watsons Pantry.

Explore our range of eggs today to make sure you’ve always got high-quality, fresh eggs to hand for all your culinary needs.