How Long Do Eggs Last in the Fridge? Raw, Hard-Boiled and Frozen

This guide is for home cooks checking whether the eggs in the fridge are still good, or stocking up before holiday baking.

Eggs keep longer than many people think, as long as they stay cold. Hard-boiled eggs are a different story: once they’re cooked, the clock runs much faster. Here’s how long each kind lasts, where to keep them and what to do when you have more than you can use.

The quick answer

FoodSafety.gov’s storage chart gives these times for a refrigerator at 40°F or below and a freezer at 0°F or below:¹

The FDA puts it a little more conservatively for quality: keep raw eggs in their original carton and use them within 3 weeks for best quality.⁴ So 3 weeks is when they taste their best, and 3 to 5 weeks is the outer limit on the federal chart.

How long hard-boiled eggs last

The FDA says to use hard-cooked eggs, in the shell or peeled, within 1 week after cooking.⁴ FoodSafety.gov lists the same week and says not to freeze them.¹

That week starts when you cook them, not when you bought the eggs. The FDA also says not to leave cooked eggs out for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour when it’s above 90°F.⁴ A tray of deviled eggs on a buffet counts.

Our advice:

• Cool boiled eggs quickly in cold water, dry them, and refrigerate them within the 2-hour window.
• Write the cooking date on the carton or container.
• If you peel them ahead, keep them in a covered container so they don’t dry out or pick up fridge odors.

Where to keep eggs in the fridge

FoodSafety.gov says to keep eggs in their original carton and store them in the main compartment of the refrigerator, not in the door.² The FDA says the refrigerator should be at 40°F or below, and to use a refrigerator thermometer to check.⁴

Our advice: the door is the warmest part of the fridge and swings in temperature every time it opens. Use it for condiments, and give eggs a shelf.

Buying eggs

The FDA says to buy eggs only if they’re sold from a refrigerated case, and to open the carton to make sure the shells are clean and not cracked.⁴ Get them home and into the fridge promptly.

Should you wash eggs?

No. FoodSafety.gov says not to wash meat, poultry, eggs or seafood, to avoid spreading harmful germs around your kitchen.² What you should wash are your hands, utensils and work surfaces: the FDA says to use hot, soapy water before and after they touch raw eggs.⁴

Why the rules matter: Salmonella

The FDA explains that fresh eggs, even those with clean, uncracked shells, may contain Salmonella bacteria.⁴ It says symptoms usually start 12 to 72 hours after infection and usually last 4 to 7 days.⁴ Keeping eggs cold and cooking them thoroughly are the two main defenses.

Cooking eggs safely

FoodSafety.gov says to cook raw eggs until the yolk and white are firm, and to cook egg dishes such as frittatas and quiche to 160°F (71°C).³ Reheat leftover egg dishes to 165°F (74°C).³

The FDA says leftover cooked egg dishes should be eaten within 3 to 4 days, and that a large amount of hot leftovers should be divided into several shallow containers so it cools quickly.⁴

Egg salad, deviled eggs and other dishes

Once eggs become part of a dish, follow the dish’s time, not the egg’s. FoodSafety.gov lists 3 to 4 days in the fridge for egg salad, and says it doesn’t freeze well.¹ The FDA gives the same 3 to 4 days for leftover cooked egg dishes such as casseroles.⁴

For a party, the 2-hour rule decides how long a platter can sit out.⁴ Our advice: put out half the deviled eggs at a time and keep the rest cold, then swap the platter instead of topping it up. Anything that has been out longer than 2 hours goes in the trash, not back in the fridge.

How to freeze eggs

Freezing works, just not in the shell:

• Whole eggs: FoodSafety.gov says to beat the yolks and whites together, then freeze.¹
• Whites: the FDA says egg whites can be frozen by themselves.⁴
• Yolks: FoodSafety.gov notes that yolks don’t freeze well on their own.¹
• How long: the FDA says to use frozen eggs within 1 year.⁴

If an egg freezes in the shell by accident, FoodSafety.gov says to keep it frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator and use it right after thawing. Throw out any frozen egg whose shell has cracked.¹

The dates on the carton

Our advice: the date printed on a carton is usually about quality, not a safety cutoff, and it isn’t the same as the 3-to-5-week storage time. Count from when you bought the eggs and kept them cold, and throw out any egg that’s cracked, slimy or smells off.

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat eggs that have been in the fridge for 4 weeks? If they were refrigerated the whole time, they’re within FoodSafety.gov’s 3-to-5-week range.¹ They may not taste as fresh as eggs used within the FDA’s 3-week quality window.⁴

How long are peeled hard-boiled eggs good for? The same 1 week as unpeeled ones, according to the FDA.⁴

Can I eat Easter eggs after the hunt? The FDA says not to eat hard-boiled eggs that were used for hiding or playing.⁴ Cook a separate batch for eating.

Can you freeze hard-boiled eggs? FoodSafety.gov says no.¹

Checklist

• Raw eggs in the shell: 3 to 5 weeks in the fridge, best within 3 weeks.
• Hard-boiled eggs: 1 week, peeled or not.
• Keep them in the carton, on a shelf, not in the door.
• Fridge at 40°F or below.
• Don’t wash eggs; do wash your hands.
• Freeze only beaten eggs or whites, never whole eggs in the shell.

Planning a holiday meal? See how long leftovers are good for.