Whether served as a snack, salad topping, or fuss-free breakfast, hard-boiled eggs are great for a quick protein boost and don't require much work to make. If you eat them frequently, you don't need to boil them each time—instead, you can cook a number of eggs at the same time and save them for the days ahead. In order to do that, though, you need to ensure you're storing the food properly, and with the right technique, hard-boiled eggs can stay fresh for up to a week.
How to Store Hard-Boiled Eggs
While hard-cooked eggs are easy to store, there are a few steps you should take to help them stay fresher for longer.
Let Them Cool
The eggs will be hot when they're done boiling—wait until they have cooled before storing. "When hot items are placed in the refrigerator, they can warm up other surrounding items, placing them in the temperature danger zone where bacteria like to multiply," says Tracey Brigman, EdD, MS, RDN, LD, a clinical associate professor and associate director for National Center for Home Food Preservation at the University of Georgia. To expedite the cooling process, Jeanine Flaherty, vice president of food safety and quality assurance at Vital Farms, says to place the eggs in cold water or an ice bath for a few minutes.
Peeled
It's likely you want to save your future self the struggle of peeling hard-boiled eggs and choose to peel them right after cooking instead. If that's the case, be sure to store the eggs in an airtight bag or container after taking off the shells. "Since they are peeled, they need to be protected from exposure to air, odors, and any microorganisms that may be present," Brigman says. She adds that you should place a damp paper towel inside the container to prevent them from drying out—something keeping the peel intact usually does.
Once in the container, keep hard-cooked eggs on the middle shelf of your refrigerator—which Flaherty says is where the temperature is most stable—until you're ready to eat them.
Unpeeled
Unpeeled hard-boiled eggs should also be kept on the middle shelf of your refrigerator in an airtight container or resealable bag. Keeping them sealed helps prevent any odors from the fridge and harmful microorganisms from disrupting your eggs. "During the cooking process, the protective layer that coats the shell is removed, making the eggs more susceptible to air and harmful microorganisms," Brigman says. However, you can skip adding a paper towel to the container to prevent moisture loss as the eggs still have their shells intact.
How Not to Store Hard-Boiled Eggs
Avoid making these mistakes when storing hard-boiled eggs—not just to extend their shelf life, but also to keep yourself safe from unwanted bacteria.
At Room Temperature
According to Flaherty, even fully cooked eggs cannot be left at room temperature for more than two hours before spoiling. She says to place hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator within at least two hours after cooking to avoid spoilage and the spread of potentially harmful bacteria. Brigman confirms this sentiment, adding that dangerous bacteria grow slower in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the Freezer
Keeping hard-boiled eggs in the freezer may seem like a good option for longer storage but it isn't recommended. Flaherty says that once defrosted, the egg white will turn tough with a watery texture and become inedible.
How Long Hard-Boiled Eggs Last
Though they don't last as long as uncooked eggs, hard-boiled eggs can keep for up to a week, whether they are peeled or not, says Brigman. Commercially pre-packaged hard-boiled eggs last even longer; Flaherty recommends following the expiration date on the packaging rather than following the one-week rule. And for any hard-boiled egg, "If it develops a slimy or chalky texture, or if it develops an unmistakable odor, it should be discarded," Brigman says.
FAQs
Hard-boiled eggs should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container and will keep for up to one week. To ensure the eggs stay fresh, wait until they have cooled completely before storing.
Is it better to store hard-boiled eggs in the shell or peeled? ›
According to The American Egg Board, hard-boiled eggs that are in their shell will last for up to one week. You should store hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator with their shells on, if possible. The shell will keep them fresh for longer and helps prevent the eggs from absorbing any odors in the fridge.
What is the best container to store hard-boiled eggs in? ›
Either way, they will last for a week. The best way to store peeled eggs is in a ziplock plastic bag or airtight container. Unpeeled hard-cooked eggs can be stored, uncovered, in a bowl or in an airtight container.
What is the best way to store hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator? ›
It's important to keep moisture to a minimum. Place the eggs in an airtight, hard-sided storage container. You can use a resealable storage bag if that's all you have on hand, but it's best to opt for something sturdier to keep the shells intact. Store the unpeeled hard-boiled eggs in the fridge for up to one week.
Can you put hard-boiled eggs in the fridge right after boiling? ›
According to Flaherty, even fully cooked eggs cannot be left at room temperature for more than two hours before spoiling. She says to place hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator within at least two hours after cooking to avoid spoilage and the spread of potentially harmful bacteria.
Can you eat 2 week old hard-boiled eggs? ›
Hard-boiled eggs, peeled or unpeeled, are safe to eat up to seven days or one full week after they were cooked. To make sure they stay fresh, allow the cooked eggs cool a bit, and then store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Can I eat unpeeled hard-boiled eggs left out overnight? ›
It is not safe to keep hard-boiled eggs at room temperature for long, and refrigeration is necessary if they will not be consumed within a few hours. If taking to a picnic or packing in a lunch, be sure to keep the eggs in a cool place.
How do you increase the shelf life of boiled eggs? ›
Follow these tips for optimal longevity.
- Step 1: Cool in an Ice Bath. After hard-boiling eggs, store them in the refrigerator as soon as possible: that is, immediately after they've cooled. ...
- Step 2: Store Unpeeled Eggs in Damp Paper Towel. ...
- Step 3: Put Eggs in an Airtight Container. ...
- Step 4: Place on the Middle Shelf.
Refrigerate peeled hard-boiled eggs in a bowl of cold water.
Replacing the water every day will keep the eggs fresh as well as help to keep contaminants out of the water and the eggs. Alternately, place peeled eggs in a sealed container. Do not add water to this container, but place damp paper towels over the eggs.
Can you store hard-boiled eggs in an airtight container? ›
It's also best to store hard-boiled eggs without peeling them first, she says, since the shell helps protect them from bacteria and unwanted fridge odors. Peeled or unpeeled, hard-boiled eggs should be stored in a sealed, airtight container.
After boiling, let the eggs sit in the ice bath for at least 15 minutes, then peel them or refrigerate them (unpeeled) for up to seven days. The ice bath quickly cools the eggs, which prevents them from overcooking and prevents the dark ring from appearing on the outside of the yellow yolk.
How to tell if hard-boiled eggs are bad? ›
“If the egg is discolored or has a greenish ring around the yolk, it's likely gone bad.” A bad hard-boiled egg may also have a sulfuric smell, adds Marcus. The bottom line on hard-boiled eggs: “If the egg is slimy, mushy or smells bad, toss it,” says Steele.
How do you store and reheat hard-boiled eggs? ›
The One Best Way to Reheat Hard Boiled Eggs
Place your hard boiled eggs in a heat proof bowl, pour boiling water until the egg is entirely submerged, then cover. Wait ten minutes before removing, crack, peel, and eat.
How long do you let hard-boiled eggs sit after boiling? ›
Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit: Depending on how cooked you like your hard boiled eggs, the eggs should be done perfectly after sitting for 10-12 minutes. That said, depending on your altitude, the shape of the pan, the size of the eggs, and the ratio of water to eggs, it can take a few minutes more.
How do you eat hard-boiled eggs after refrigeration? ›
The best method for reheating hard boiled eggs is to pour boiling water over them and allow them to sit, covered, for 10 minutes. You can then enjoy them plain or make delicious deviled eggs or scrumptious egg salad.
Can you reboil hard-boiled eggs the next day? ›
As long as an egg's shell hasn't been cracked, it's perfectly fine to put it back in hot water and continue cooking it.
Is it better to peel hard-boiled eggs fresh or old? ›
Start with old eggs. Farm-fresh eggs will be harder to peel—it's a matter of their particular chemistry. To minimize frustration, save those straight-from-the-hen eggs for poaching or frying and use a carton of slightly older eggs, like the ones from the grocery store, when boiling.
Is it better to peel a hard boiled egg when it's hot or cold? ›
Cool Eggs Quickly In An Ice Bath
Shocking your recently boiled eggs by submerging them into a bowl of ice water is key. The quick cooling of the hard-boiled eggs causes the egg whites to contract, freeing them from the membrane. If you let them cool for about 15 minutes, the peeling is much easier.
How long do hard-boiled eggs last at room temperature? ›
If you're wondering if it's safe to eat those eggs that've been left out at room temperature, you should know that hard-boiled eggs outside of the refrigerator won't last for more than two hours, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Can I peel hard-boiled eggs the night before? ›
Gently crack the eggs all over and peel under running water. Make Ahead: Eggs can be cooked and peeled 3 days ahead. If you keep the eggs in their shell, they can last for up to a week. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
