Of course, questions of how long do hard boiled eggs last in the fridge and how long are boiled eggs good for depend upon proper storage. But remember, eggs, like a lot of other dairy products (actually eggs are technically classified as animal products… but, since they are purchased in the dairy section of stores we listed them under dairy), usually have a sell by date and not a use by date. Because of this date distinction, hard boiled eggs are good for and may safely be used to complement your favorite meals even after a best by or sell by date has lapsed.

How to tell if Hard Boiled Eggs are bad, rotten or spoiled? Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness. The shelf life of hard boiled eggs is shorter than fresh eggs because egg shells are porous, which means air and bacteria can enter. In nature, as hens lay eggs a special natural coating is applied which helps to seal and protect the egg. However, the government mandates that eggs be sanitized and washed before they are sold to consumers, eliminating this protective coating. To counter this, egg processing plants spray an odorless natural mineral oil to “reseal” the egg, this thin layer makes the egg air tight again and thus the shelf life longer. Consequently, when you boil an egg, this protective coating is washed off and again makes a porous egg shell which becomes open and vulnerable to bacteria, odors and other contaminants – all things you do not want! Therefore, the boiling process makes hard boiled eggs last for a shorter amount of time than fresh eggs. Here’s a tip: write the date the eggs were boiled on each egg after they are cool. There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled eggs so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy them before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Hard Boiled Eggs to extend their shelf life? Hard boiled eggs must be refrigerated at all times. Once prepared, hard boiled eggs should be stored in a tightly closed container in the fridge to keep out moisture and other contaminants. Freezing hard boiled eggs is NOT recommended, as this destroys their cellular structure and thus reduces their shelf life. Freezing eggs, whether or not they have been boiled, is not recommended because the whites become very rubbery and discolored after the freezing and thawing process. Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting Facts about Hard Boiled Egg Shelf Life: The term hard boiled eggs is actually misleading because eggs should never be subjected to a hard rigorous boil, it should be a soft gentle boil. A more proper term for hard boiled eggs is hard cooked eggs, although that is less common. Salmonella is killed by the heat of cooking (once the yolk and white are both firm). Boiling removes the protective coating on the egg shell. Rinsing hard boiled eggs with cold water right after boiling and then rolling them with gentle pressure on the counter right before peeling will make the hard boiled eggs easier to peel. For complete instructions on how to make hard boiled eggs please visit our blog page on how long to boil eggs. See our post on refrigeration of hard boiled eggs for more safety information regarding storage. For some variation in serving hard boiled eggs, try making deviled eggs.

How long are Hard Boiled Eggs good for when prepared in a dish? How long are hard boiled eggs good for? How long do hard boiled eggs last? These answers depend upon what other foods are included in the recipe. For example, how long does cheese last? In general, hard boiled eggs are good for as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish. To find out how long foods are good for, please visit the Dairy, Drinks, Fruits, Grains, Proteins, Vegetables and Other sections of Eat By Date or use the search function below.