How Long Can Eggs Sit Out?

Are you looking to make a protein-rich breakfast or bake your kids a cake tomorrow?

You’ll have to get yourself a box full of fresh eggs!

But if you’re wondering how long eggs can sit out before going bad?

We are here to help and tell you everything you need to know.

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As a general rule of thumb, you can safely store eggs for 1-2 hours at temperatures up to 100 Fahrenheit.

But for temperatures between 40-45 F, you can store your dozen eggs for about a week.

However, how long eggs last depend on the following additional factors:

The temperature at which you store your eggs
Whether you refrigerate your eggs or not
The type of egg (farm fresh eggs/raw or cooked)

To be on the safe side, when you buy eggs, refrigerate them within 2 hours to make them last for several weeks.

It doesn’t end here. You’ll still need to understand how long you can store eggs safely with respect to the type of eggs:

Raw Eggs

Don’t store a raw egg at room temperature for more than two hours. But refrigerating eggs will help you extend their shelf life for up to 5 weeks. However, storing eggs (raw) in the freezer is not recommended.

Farm Fresh Eggs (Shell Eggs)

Farm fresh eggs will last you for around 90 days from when they were laid. On the other hand, refrigerated eggs can last you between six to seven weeks, and you should eat them within two weeks.

They will also last you a long time if placed in the fridge; however, they don’t last half as long if you store them outside.

Hard Boiled Eggs

They should be consumed within two hours if stored at room temperature. Boiled eggs stored in the refrigerator can last for a week. However, they should never be refrigerated.

Cooked, Egg Dishes

Cooked, hot foods with egg contents, including deviled eggs, should never be stored at room temperature for more than two hours.

If you have used farm fresh eggs to make some delicious dishes, it’s best to know how to store them properly.

While refrigerated, these dishes can last you for 3-4 days. And if frozen, you can enjoy them for two months!

How To Store Eggs To Make Them Last Longer

Using best practices to ensure egg safety is critical. Unfortunately, not doing so can also lead to salmonella positive eggs, a common culprit for food poisoning.

However, keeping the chicken clean is the best way to avoid salmonella in farm fresh eggs, but that one’s for the producers and distributors.

Research shows that only washing eggs or putting them in the fridge is not enough to ensure their freshness.

Hence, here are a few tips and tricks to make sure your eggs stay fresh:

First, buy them from certified or reputable egg producers and distributors.

Make sure your egg carton was previously refrigerated in the store if you are residing in a country that requires this (eggs collected from laying hens should ideally be refrigerated as soon as possible)

The best practice to store farm fresh eggs is to keep them below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. A higher temperature can trigger bacteria growth and render them unsuitable for use.

Avoid cracking your eggs as you head home and put them in the refrigerator or fridge.

Wash eggs as soon as you get home. However, some countries avoid washing as it removes the protective layer on the eggs (the protective coating keeps most eggs free of bacteria)

It’s recommended to place your eggs at the back of your refrigerator (do this within one hour of the purchase to avoid too much temperature fluctuation).

Always avoid leaving eggs on the kitchen counter or under direct sunlight.

While it’s important to keep your frozen, fresh egg safe for cooking, it’s also important to keep your eggs safe during serving and post-cooking too.

Ensure your eggs are cooked properly before you serve them. For example, if you’re making a dish like a quiche, make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 160 F. And if you’re baking a cake, make sure you properly beat your egg whites before baking.

Thoroughly wash your hands, work area, and utensils with hot water before and after eating the foods containing an egg. Once washed, make sure to wipe your hands dry with a paper towel.

From an egg safety point of view, it’s best to serve them as soon as they are cooked. Make sure you have washed your hands after serving and eating them too.

Can Eggs Go Bad If Left Out?

Yes, they can go bad if left out, and the color and texture of both, the yolk and white, changes.

So if you have stored your eggs in the freezer, it’s best to keep them there. The reason is simple; a cold egg left out at room temperature is vulnerable to bacterial growth.

How To Tell If Eggs Are Still Good?

The easiest way to know whether your farm fresh eggs have gone bad is by cracking them open.

Then check for any changes in the color of the yolk, the overall texture of the egg, and any pungent odor.

You should also check for black or brown spots inside your eggshells, as these are also clear signs of your eggs turning bad.

You can also do a water test to check their freshness.

In this test, you have to place the eggs in cold water and check if they sink to the bottom and land on their side or stand upwards. If it’s the former, they are good to go!

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