In this brief article, we will answer the question, “How long can you leave eggs out?” as well as the shelf-life of eggs, egg products, some tips to buy, cook, and store eggs.
How long can you leave eggs out?
Eggs can be left out for at least a week. For safety purposes though, avoid leaving raw eggs especially at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If the climate is extremely hot, immediately refrigerate the eggs to prevent them from spoiling.
Fresh eggs in shells can be placed at room temperature or a kitchen counter in countries apart from Japan, Australia, America, Sweden, and the Netherlands. After a week though the quality of eggs can reduce especially if they are placed at room temperature.
If the eggs have previously been refrigerated, it is recommended to keep them refrigerated. This is because if a cold egg is kept at room temperature, it tends to sweat. This can promote bacterial growth.
If you have stored your eggs properly, they can stay in the fridge for at least 2-3 weeks.
What is the shelf-life for egg products?
| Egg products | Room temperature | Refrigerator | Freezer |
| Egg yolks | Do not keep eggs or egg products for more than 2 hours at room temperature for safety purposes. | 3-4 days | More than a year |
| Egg whites | 3-4 days | More than a year | |
| Hard-boiled egg | A week | Do not freeze | |
| Egg substitutes (unopened) | 9-10 days | 1 year | |
| Egg substitutes (opened) | 2-3 days | Do not freeze | |
| Pies | 3-4 days | 1-2 months after baking, if the pies contain custard, do not freeze. | |
| Casseroles | 3-4 days | 2-3 months after baking. | |
| Eggnogs (store-bought) | 3-5 days | 5-6 months | |
| Eggnogs (home-made) | 2-4 days | Do not freeze |
What are some tips to store eggs?
- If you have bought eggs from the store, immediately place them in the egg carton at a temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Avoid placing the eggs at the door. This is because the temperature of the fridge’s door can fluctuate promoting the spoilage of eggs.
- If the egg was broken while you had transported it, break the eggs into a clean container and seal them. Store this sealed container in the fridge and consume them within two days.
- If your recipe demands you to deal with raw eggs or if you have raw eggs with you, it is recommended to refrigerate them in the fridge and cook them within 24 hours.
- After the eggs have been cooked, cool them before storing them in the fridge or container. Consume the cooked ones in 3-4 days.
- Eggs should be stored in their cartons. Avoid placing them in other containers or bags. Placing them in their original cartons would prevent the eggs from absorbing any odors from the fridge.
- Place the eggs in the back of the fridge. This is because the back of the fridge is likely to be chilled and is not subject to temperature fluctuations.
- If you are unsure of the temperature of your fridge, use a thermometer to ensure that the temperature of the fridge is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid freezing fresh eggs.
What are some tips for buying eggs?
- Buy eggs that are graded as A or AA.
- Check the quality of eggs before you buy them. If the eggshells appear to be cracked, it is better to avoid buying them.
This is because the bacteria could enter into the eggs easily if the shells are cracked. Besides, cracked eggs are likely to be already spoilt.
- Check whether the eggs have been refrigerated at the grocery or the store from where you are about to buy. If they have not been refrigerated, avoid buying them.
- If you are about to buy egg-based products, check to see whether it has been sealed well.
What tips need to be kept in mind while handling eggs?
- Disinfect the area or utensils wherein you are about to place the eggs to avoid contaminating the eggs. The eggs need to be placed in a clean area and in clean utensils.
- Eggs should be firm after they have been cooked. This rule applies to both egg yolk and egg whites.
- Foods prepared using eggs should have an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Avoid washing the eggs if you do not plan on consuming them. This is because water can penetrate through the pores present in the egg’s shells and promote spoilage.
Other FAQs on eggs that you might be interested in.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we have answered the question, “How long can you leave eggs out?” as well as the shelf-life of eggs, egg products, some tips to buy, cook, and store eggs.