Of course, questions of how long do hard boiled eggs last in the fridge and how long are boiled eggs good for depend upon proper storage. But remember, eggs, like a lot of other dairy products (actually eggs are technically classified as animal products… but, since they are purchased in the dairy section of stores we listed them under dairy), usually have a sell by date and not a use by date. Because of this date distinction, hard boiled eggs are good for and may safely be used to complement your favorite meals even after a best by or sell by date has lapsed.

How to tell if Hard Boiled Eggs are bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

The shelf life of hard boiled eggs is shorter than fresh eggs because egg shells are porous, which means air and bacteria can enter. In nature, as hens lay eggs a special natural coating is applied which helps to seal and protect the egg. However, the government mandates that eggs be sanitized and washed before they are sold to consumers, eliminating this protective coating. To counter this, egg processing plants spray an odorless natural mineral oil to “reseal” the egg, this thin layer makes the egg air tight again and thus the shelf life longer. Consequently, when you boil an egg, this protective coating is washed off and again makes a porous egg shell which becomes open and vulnerable to bacteria, odors and other contaminants – all things you do not want! Therefore, the boiling process makes hard boiled eggs last for a shorter amount of time than fresh eggs.

Here’s a tip: write the date the eggs were boiled on each egg after they are cool.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled eggs so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy them before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Hard Boiled Eggs to extend their shelf life?

Hard boiled eggs must be refrigerated at all times. Once prepared, hard boiled eggs should be stored in a tightly closed container in the fridge to keep out moisture and other contaminants.

Freezing hard boiled eggs is NOT recommended, as this destroys their cellular structure and thus reduces their shelf life. Freezing eggs, whether or not they have been boiled, is not recommended because the whites become very rubbery and discolored after the freezing and thawing process.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

Interesting Facts about Hard Boiled Egg Shelf Life:

How long are Hard Boiled Eggs good for when prepared in a dish?

How long are hard boiled eggs good for? How long do hard boiled eggs last? These answers depend upon what other foods are included in the recipe. For example, how long does cheese last? In general, hard boiled eggs are good for as long as the quickest expiring ingredient in the dish.

To find out how long foods are good for, please visit the Dairy, Drinks, Fruits, Grains, Proteins, Vegetables and Other sections of Eat By Date or use the search function below.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Hard Boiled Eggs last, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Hard Boiled Eggs.

*An important note about expiration dates…

Although the Hard Boiled Eggs shelf life information on EatByDate is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please eat responsibly!