Maybe you meal-prepped a dozen hard-boiled eggs, only to tire of them by day three. So, how long do hard-boiled eggs actually keep? The answer: not as long as raw eggs. Hard-boiled eggs are more perishable than raw eggs, which is why they have a shorter shelf life.
How long they keep also depends on how quickly you refrigerate them. Hard-boiled eggs left at room temperature can spoil much faster than those chilled promptly, so transfer them to the fridge within two hours. Otherwise, that last egg in the batch could be a rotten one.
Storing hard-boiled eggs correctly is essential. They’re an easy option for healthy breakfasts and high-protein meal prep, but an egg that has gone bad can cause food poisoning. Here’s how long hard-boiled eggs keep in the fridge – and the best way to store them, whether peeled or left in their shells.
How long do hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge?
According to the Food Standards Agency, your fridge should be kept at 5°C or below to ensure your food stays safe. Whether peeled or left in their shells, hard-boiled eggs should be stored in the fridge and eaten within one week of cooking.
How long do hard-boiled eggs last unrefrigerated?
Sometimes hard-boiled eggs end up sitting out, whether they’re part of an Easter egg hunt or you’ve simply forgotten to refrigerate the leftovers. But don’t leave them on the worktop for too long: according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hard-boiled eggs are safe at room temperature for up to two hours. If the temperature is 32°C or higher, that window drops to just one hour – after that, it’s safest to throw them away.
How long do peeled hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge?
Just like unpeeled hard-boiled eggs, peeled eggs can last up to seven days in the refrigerator if they are kept in an airtight container.
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How can you tell if a hard-boiled egg is still good?
A hard-boiled egg that has been stored improperly may harbour harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning. However, smell and appearance aren’t always reliable indicators of safety – contaminated eggs may look and smell normal. If an egg has an unusual odour, slimy texture or discolouration, throw it away. When in doubt, it’s safest to discard it.
How should I safely store hard-boiled eggs?
As mentioned, hard-boiled eggs should be stored at 5°C or below (see below for more on freezing hard-boiled eggs). It’s best to put them in a covered food container in the fridge. If you’re transporting them – to a picnic, for example – keep them chilled in an insulated cool box or alongside frozen ice packs. For maximum freshness, leave them unpeeled in their shells until you’re ready to eat or prepare them.
Can I freeze hard-boiled eggs?
Hard-boiled eggs aren’t suitable for freezing, as the whites can become tough and watery. For better results, beat raw eggs first, then pour them into ice cube trays or resealable freezer bags. For a step-by-step guide, see How to freeze eggs for baking and make-ahead recipes.
Susan (she/her) is the Senior Food Editor at Good Housekeeping, where she leads wine, spirits, and drinks coverage and helps shape food content across platforms. In the Kitchen & Cooking Lab, she develops and rigorously tests recipes, drawing on experience that spans Food & Wine, Food Network, three meal kit companies, a Brooklyn wine shop, and Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. A graduate of Brown University, she has also collaborated on over a dozen cookbooks and cocktail books.
