You'll probably devour these protein-packed snacks long before the eggs go bad. Just in case, though, how long do hard-boiled eggs last?
How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last in the Fridge?
Updated on Oct. 01, 2024
Dietitians often hail whole eggs as one of the most energizing foods on the planet because they contain all nine essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. It’s no surprise that you’d want to keep healthy hard-boiled eggs on hand for snacks, quick sandwiches and even salad toppers!
But how long do hard-boiled eggs last? It’s as easy to boil up a whole carton as it is to boil a couple eggs, so this is the question home cooks face while being mindful of the fine line between being prepared and being wasteful.
How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last in the Fridge?
Hard-boiled eggs have a surprisingly long shelf life, making it easy to batch cook without too much worry that they’ll go bad before you eat them. The Bella Egg Cooker lets you hard boil seven eggs at once, in about 12 minutes.
“Hard-boiled eggs will last for about three to four days in the fridge,” says Herve Malivert, director of culinary affairs at the Institute of Culinary Education. “After four or five days, I would toss them.” The U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s guidelines offer more leeway, saying that hard-boiled eggs should be used within a week of cooking.
One caveat to keep in mind is how fresh your eggs are to begin with, as using older eggs will shorten their shelf life. Here’s a pro tip: When you bring home a fresh carton, store your eggs by turning them upside-down to keep them fresher even longer.
To peel or not to peel—that’s the next question. Cyril Kabaoglu, lead instructor of culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education, says hard-boiled eggs should be stored peeled, because it will only get harder to peel them over time.
If you’re going to keep the eggs in the fridge for more than a couple days, however, Malivert says to store them with the shells on to help protect the eggs from drying out. If you need to quickly and easily peel hard-boiled eggs, the clever Negg boiled egg peeler cleanly removes shells with just a shake.
Do you know how to peel a hard-boiled egg?
How to Tell if Hard-Boiled Eggs Have Gone Bad
Always start with a sniff test when determining if your hard-boiled eggs are past their prime. “Toss them when your nose tells you to,” urges Kabaoglu. If you’re still debating, take a look at their appearance. “You’ll notice a slimy, sticky texture and they’ll turn slightly gray in color,” says Malivert.
Consult this handy guide for how long food is good in the refrigerator for any other ingredients you’re questioning.
How to Store Hard-Boiled Eggs
Much like storing uncooked eggs requires refrigeration, so does storing cooked eggs. After you’ve peeled them, pop them in a container with a tight-fitting lid and place them in the fridge. Adding a damp towel may help them stay fresher longer.
Can You Freeze Hard-Boiled Eggs?
While you can freeze cooked eggs (think: scrambled), we don’t recommend freezing hard-boiled eggs. They will become tough and rubbery, and generally not tasty. Get to know how long eggs can last in the fridge.
Editor’s Tip: Eggs have a surprisingly long shelf life, check how long do the eggs last.
How to Use Hard-Boiled Eggs
There are at least five different ways to make perfect hard-boiled eggs, and once that step is complete, the sky’s the limit. Slice them with a handy OXO Good Grips egg slicer and prepare an old-fashioned egg salad, a curried egg salad, scrumptious Scotch eggs, creamy deviled eggs, a rustic nicoise salad or potato salad.
Of course, you can always sprinkle on a little salt and pepper and pop them into your mouth for immediate satisfaction!
What to Do with Hard-Boiled Eggs
Smoked Salmon Egg SaladServed on croissants, these grown-up sandwiches offer a great way to use leftover Easter eggs. Salmon adds smoky flavor. —Cathy Tang, Redmond, Washington
Kale & Bacon Salad with Honey-Horseradish VinaigretteTotally scrumptious and packed with nutrition, this salad was my response to friends who asked how they could incorporate kale into their diets without sacrificing taste. It is also wonderful made with collard or mustard greens, prepared in the same fashion as the kale, or with a mix of spinach & arugula or watercress. Don't forget the hard-boiled eggs for extra protein. —Elizabeth Warren, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Avocado Egg Salad ToastI had a surplus of avocados after purchasing too many for an event. A few days later, I was making egg salad sandwiches for lunch and had the fantastic idea to use avocado to bind it together instead of traditional mayo. Not only was this version unbelievably delicious but the healthy fats in the avocado make this a much better option than the traditional mayo-laden version. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
BLT Chicken SaladFeaturing all the fun fixings for a BLT chicken sandwich, this salad is so lovable. I can prep the ingredients ahead of time and just throw it together at the last minute. Barbecue sauce in the dressing gives it unexpected flavor. Even picky eaters love my chicken salads. —Cindy Moore, Mooresville, North Carolina
Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken SaladThis copycat Chick-fil-A chicken salad recipe is a spot-on take on the much-missed former fast-food item. Serve it as part of a copycat Chick-fil-A spread, or enjoy it whenever you want a solid chicken salad recipe.
DIY Ramen SoupThis favorite ramen noodle recipe, prepared and served in a canning jar, is a healthier alternative to most commercial varieties. Feel free to customize the veggies. —Michelle, Clair, Seattle, Washington
Tuna Nicoise SaladTuna Nicoise salad is a perfect lunch for a weekend or even to make ahead for the work week. Our recipe is traditional with tuna, tomatoes and beans, but is easily adaptable to suit your tastes.
Cobb Salad SubWhen we need a quick meal to share, we turn Cobb salad into a sandwich masterpiece. Sometimes I substitute tortillas for the bread and make wraps instead. —Kimberly Grusendorf, Medina, Ohio
Judy's Macaroni SaladAfter finding this vintage macaroni salad recipe years ago, I tweaked the flavor and bumped up the pickles. Tuck this dill pickle pasta salad inside your picnic basket. —Elizabeth Kirchgatter, Maysville, Kentucky
Aunt Karen’s Shrimp SaladWhen unexpected company calls during the holidays, this shrimp salad is the perfect fit. It's quick to put together, too, leaving you more time to spend with your guests. — Karen Moore, Jacksonville, Florida
Cauliflower Potato SaladWhat is cauliflower potato salad? Well, it's just like regular potato salad, except cauliflower replaces the potatoes for a lighter end result.
Ham and Swiss Salad in a JarHome cook Stacy Huggins from Valley Center, California, sent us a great recipe for a ham and Swiss salad, and we turned it into this lunchbox-friendly version. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Curried Egg SaladA curry kick gives this egg salad big appeal. We love it when the weather gets warm. —Joyce McDowell, West Union, Ohio
Veggie Nicoise SaladMore and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish—and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois
Campfire Cheese Hash Brown PacketsDining by the campfire? This easy packet of potatoes, bacon and cheese makes a terrific hash. We like to serve it with eggs and fresh pico de gallo. —Gina Nistico, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bacon ‘n’ Egg SandwichesI came across this unique grilled combo when I was digging in my mom's recipe box. The crisp bacon, hard-boiled eggs and crunchy green onions make these cozy sandwiches look impressive when company drops by for lunch. Best of all, they're a snap to assemble. —Ann Fuemmeler, Glasgow, Missouri
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon DressingThis spinach salad with warm bacon dressing proves that it's not difficult to get through an entire bag of spinach if it's dressed in a tangy, mustardy, brown-sugar bacon vinaigrette. Customize this classic salad with any toppings you like.
Classic Egg SaladEgg salad is a refreshing, tasty change from lunchmeat or peanut butter sandwiches. The touch of mustard and lemon juice gives it extra zip. —Annemarie Pietila, Farmington Hills, Michigan
Red Potato and Egg SaladThis flavorful red potato salad recipe with egg is the perfect side for summer cookouts. The red potatoes really dress it up. —Margaret Blomquist, Newfield, New York
Chef SaladThis gorgeous combination of garden veggies, hard-boiled eggs, deli turkey and ham is perfect for lunch or dinner. Customize your chef salad with different vegetables and salad dressings.
Make-Ahead Hearty Six-Layer SaladThis salad is an all-time favorite. I reach for the recipe whenever I need a dish to pass. It is easy to make, can be assembled ahead of time and looks marvelous. —Noreen Meyer, Madison, Wisconsin
Barbecue Chicken Cobb SaladI turned barbecue chicken into a major salad with romaine, carrots, sweet peppers and avocados. That’s how I got my family to eat more veggies. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah
Dilly Potato & Egg SaladEveryone has a favorite potato salad, and this is mine. As a young bride, I was eager to learn how to cook and make things that my husband would love. I combined my mom's and his mom's recipes, and this potato and egg salad the delicious result. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Pesto Egg Salad SandwichesFor a casual springtime meal with a twist, boil up some eggs and dinner will be done presto. —Tenley Haraldson, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Grandma’s Spinach SaladThis hearty spinach salad with mushrooms is packed with protein and draped in an aromatic celery seed vinaigrette. You can prep a batch and store it in the fridge for quick lunches.
Easy Macaroni SaladPass it at a potluck, unwrap it at a picnic or bust it out at a barbecue; this easy macaroni salad is perfect as a side for the summer grilling season.
Egg Salad with Cream CheeseA tangy twist on a lunchbox favorite, this creamy egg salad is packed with flavor and texture.
Classic Cobb SaladMaking this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I plant everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
