How long do eggs last?
Half a carton, a date that already passed, and a recipe that needs two. Eggs usually last longer than people think. Here's how to tell for sure.
3–5 weeks in the fridge. Keep them in the fridge, not the pantry. FoodKeeper doesn't recommend freezing them.
Signs eggs have gone bad
- It smells off when you crack it. That's the clearest sign.
- The shell is cracked, slimy or has powdery spots.
- The white or yolk is pink, green or iridescent.
Before you toss them
Past their best but still safe? Try one of these.
- Older eggs that are still good make the best hard-boiled eggs, because the shell peels away more easily than on very fresh ones.
- Crack them into a pan and cook them today as scrambled eggs, a frittata or fried rice, where nobody will notice a slightly thinner white.
How to store eggs
- Don't wash them first. US eggs are washed before they're sold.
- To freeze, beat them first. Eggs in the shell don't freeze well.
Eggs by the numbers
The average American goes through about 5.4 eggs a week. If your household eats less than that, buy smaller and less ends up in the trash.
A dozen at $2.27 keeps about 5 weeks in the fridge. Buy the bigger pack only if you'll use it in time.
What eggs cost now
$2.27 per dozen, up 56% since January 2020. It's usually cheapest in June, about 8% under its yearly average.
National average price per dozen, monthly. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cook it before it turns
23 Haivenly starter recipes use eggs. Here are a few to start with.
Questions about eggs
How long do eggs last in the fridge?
3–5 weeks from purchase, going by USDA FoodKeeper guidance. Your fridge temperature and how fresh it was when you bought it can change that, so check it before you use it.
How can you tell if an egg is still good?
Try the float test. Put the egg in a bowl of cold water: if it sinks and lies flat, it's fresh; if it stands on end, it's older but usually fine; if it floats, throw it out. Always crack it into a separate bowl first, and discard any egg with an off smell.
Can you freeze eggs?
Yes, but not in the shell. Crack them, beat the yolks and whites together, and freeze in a sealed container for up to a year. Thaw in the fridge and use them in baking or scrambled eggs.
Are eggs safe past the date on the carton?
Usually, yes. USDA says eggs are generally good for 3 to 5 weeks after you bring them home if they've been refrigerated the whole time. The pack date or sell-by date is not a safety deadline.
How long do hard-boiled eggs last?
About one week in the fridge, according to USDA, whether peeled or unpeeled. Keep them in a covered container and refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking.
Should eggs be kept in the fridge or on the counter?
In the US, keep them in the fridge. Commercial eggs are washed, which removes the natural coating, so cold storage at 40°F (4°C) or below is how you keep them safe.
Use every last bit of your eggs.
The average American tosses about $12 of eggs a year. Haivenly learns how fast your household goes through it, so you hear about it while there's still time to cook it.
More foods to check
Milk
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- Use-by date
- Freezer
- 3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Cheddar cheese
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- 6 months
- Freezer
- 6 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Cooked chicken
Leftovers- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 2–3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Raw chicken breast
Meat & poultry- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 9 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Cooked rice
Leftovers- Fridge
- 4–6 days
- Freezer
- 6 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper (FMA-Data-v128), entry #21: Eggs, in shell. Ranges shown as USDA publishes them.