In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “How long do cooked eggs last in the fridge? ” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of a cooked egg. Moreover, we are going to discuss the different ways to spot spoiled cooked eggs.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long do cooked eggs last in the fridge?
Cooked eggs last in the fridge for up to 7 days if kept at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have hard-boiled eggs they last for about 7 days when properly refrigerated. On the other hand, omelet, poached, or scrambled eggs last for about 3-4 days when properly refrigerated. They should be kept in plastic zipper bags on one of the refrigerator’s shelves.
It’s worth noting that the values given above are for the cooked eggs’ expected shelf life.
What is the best temperature to keep cooked eggs at?
Cooked eggs should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower at all times. Bacterial development is more rapid between the temperatures of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore it’s best to keep your cooked eggs at a lower temperature to keep them fresh for longer.
How long does a cooked egg last at room temperature?
When kept at room temperature, the cooked eggs last for around 2 hours.
Because bacterial growth occurs at a quicker rate between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, cooked eggs left out for more than 2 hours should be discarded.
Furthermore, if the surrounding temperature is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the rotting process is accelerated, and the cooked eggs left out in the open for more than an hour at such temperature should be discarded.
How to vacuum seal and cook eggs?
You may even vacuum seal your cooked eggs at home to extend their shelf life. It involves placing the cooked eggs in a plastic zipper bag, eliminating the air, then nearly sealing the bag with a small amount of space remaining while lowering it into water.
After that, start pressing out the bubbles starting from the bag’s bottom and work your way up to the sealed end, closing the bag’s seal.
A vacuum sealer pump can also be used to easily vacuum seal and cook eggs at home.
Is it possible to refrigerate the reheated cooked eggs?
Once the cooked eggs have been reheated, they should never be refrigerated again. Because the temperature of the cooked eggs goes above 40 degrees Fahrenheit when reheated and we know that bacteria develops rapidly between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
As a result, bacteria will make their way into your cooked eggs and reheated eggs should never be refrigerated, rather it is better to consume them completely or otherwise discard the reheated leftovers properly.
What are different ways to spot spoiled cooked eggs?
There are a few clear indicators that indicate if your cooked eggs have gone bad. To determine if a cooked egg has gone bad, look at its appearance, texture, and smell.
Appearance
If you see mold or other organic growth on your cooked eggs, it’s time to throw them out.
It’s worth noting that you should avoid smelling moldy cooked eggs since molds can produce mycotoxins, which can disturb your gut microflora and damage your immune system if they enter your body by inhalation.
Texture
If you touch the cooked eggs and they feel sticky, slimy, or gooey, it’s time to throw them out.
Smell
If you smell something sour or ammonia-like or something that does not feel like freshly cooked eggs while sniffing your cooked eggs, it’s time to throw them out.
Lastly, I do not recommend tasting any cooked eggs with a foul odor, but if you are brave (and silly) enough, you will notice a significant change in the texture and mouthfeel of the spoiled cooked eggs. They will have an off-flavor.
Thus, if the microbes have somehow gotten into your cooked eggs and spoiled them, the best thing you can do is throw them out.
You can read how to make an omelet here.
How to properly store cooked eggs?
- Because microscopic organisms grow quickly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, it is best to refrigerate the cooked eggs within 2 hours. It is cooked in airtight containers to extend its shelf life while keeping its quality.
- If you wish to extend the shelf life of the prepared cooked eggs, keep them in an airtight container in the freezer. Cooked eggs that have been frozen at 0°C are safe to use for extremely long periods.
- Cooked eggs should be stored in shallow compact containers to allow them to cool quickly.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “How long do cooked eggs last in the fridge? ” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of the cooked eggs. Moreover, we discussed the different ways to spot spoiled cooked eggs.