How Long Do Eggs Last in the Fridge?
Fresh eggs last 3-5 weeks in the refrigerator past the pack date, or about 3 weeks past the sell-by date. Hard-boiled eggs last only 1 week refrigerated. Store eggs in their original carton on an interior shelf (not the door) for best freshness. The float test can help determine freshness: fresh eggs sink and lie flat; old eggs float.
Key Takeaways
- Egg shells are porous, allowing moisture and air to slowly enter the egg over time.
- Raw eggs removed from shells (for recipes) last only 2-4 days refrigerated in a sealed container.
- Egg whites alone last 2-4 days; add water and freeze for up to 1 year.
Explanation
Egg shells are porous, allowing moisture and air to slowly enter the egg over time. Refrigeration dramatically slows this process by keeping eggs below 40°F. In the US, eggs are washed (removing the natural protective 'bloom'), making refrigeration essential. Unwashed eggs (common in Europe) can be stored at room temperature.
The 'sell-by' or 'best-by' date is not an expiration date. It indicates peak quality, not safety. Eggs typically remain safe for 3-5 weeks beyond these dates when properly refrigerated. Use the float test for verification: place egg in water - fresh eggs sink and lie flat, older eggs stand upright, bad eggs float.
Egg storage location matters. The refrigerator door experiences temperature fluctuations each time it opens. Store eggs on an interior shelf where temperature is most consistent. Keep them in the original carton, which protects from absorbing odors and provides the sell-by date.
The float test works because of air cell growth inside the egg. When laid, an egg has a tiny air cell at the wide end (about 1/8 inch). Over weeks, moisture evaporates through the shell's roughly 7,000-17,000 pores, enlarging this air pocket. A fresh egg sinks because its density exceeds water; after 3-4 weeks, the enlarged air cell makes it buoyant enough to stand upright; after 6-8 weeks, it floats entirely. An egg that floats is not necessarily unsafe, but its quality has degraded enough that careful inspection (smell, appearance when cracked) is warranted before use.
Hard-boiled eggs have a shorter fridge life than raw eggs because cooking removes the protective cuticle and creates microscopic cracks in the shell. Peeled hard-boiled eggs should be stored in water or a damp paper towel in a sealed container and eaten within 5 days. Unpeeled hard-boiled eggs last up to 7 days. Freezing hard-boiled whole eggs is not recommended as the whites become rubbery and watery upon thawing, though cooked yolks freeze reasonably well for up to 3 months.
Things to Know
- Raw eggs removed from shells (for recipes) last only 2-4 days refrigerated in a sealed container.
- Egg whites alone last 2-4 days; add water and freeze for up to 1 year.
- Yolks alone should be covered with water to prevent drying and used within 2 days.
- If an egg has cracks, either use immediately or discard - bacteria can enter through cracks.