How Long Are Hard-boiled Eggs Good For

Hard-boiled eggs being shelled in kitchen

If yous're not planning to swallow your eggs after prepping them, play information technology safe and popular them in the refrigerator.

Image Credit: Worytko, Pawel/Foodcollection/GettyImages

Eating rotten or spoiled food — whether it'due south eggs, milk or meat — can result in fever, abdominal pain, airsickness and diarrhea (really not fun).

Hard-boiled eggs can exist a simple and good for you snack, but they must be refrigerated and handled properly in order to forbid contagion.

Consider the following information and safety tips next time you're wondering how long hard-boiled eggs tin sit out. And if you lot're questioning whether your eggy snack has already gone bad, play it prophylactic and toss it in the trash.

The Risks of Leaving Difficult-Boiled Eggs Unrefrigerated

Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse, just when left out too long, they carry certain health risks, according to the Nutrient and Drug Administration (FDA).

Always refrigerate eggs as soon every bit you get home from the grocery store.

How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Final?

Difficult-boiled eggs, if refrigerated, can sit down for a calendar week and stay prophylactic to swallow (peeled or unpeeled). Left unrefrigerated, though, the expiration borderline drops to about two hours.

If difficult-boiled eggs are left at room temperature for long periods of time, bacteria volition grow at a rapid pace. Salmonella is one of the most mutual risks associated with rotten eggs, co-ordinate to the FDA.

Salmonella symptoms last between 4 and 7 days, and it can spread through any contaminated nutrient that hasn't been handled properly. In severe cases, salmonella can lead to aridity and crave a trip to the doc.

When to Refrigerate Hard-Boiled Eggs

You should discard any perishable foods that have been left at room temperature for longer than two hours, per the USDA. In order to keep fresh eggs safe, store them at a temperature of 40 degrees or colder at all times. The same rule applies to hard-boiled eggs, both in and out of the shell.

Opposite to popular conventionalities, hard-boiled eggs are not safer to leave out than raw eggs. Boiled eggs are really more susceptible to bacterial contamination, as the cooking process damages a protective layer on the shell of the egg, according to the Academy of Diet and Dietetics. Both raw and cooked eggs (and egg products) must be refrigerated.

Bad eggs do not always have a foul scent, and so play information technology safe by practicing proper food safety. Before boiling, throw out whatever eggs that have cracks or imperfections in the beat out, recommends the FDA. Cook eggs until the yolk and white are firm.

If you serve a dish that contains difficult-boiled eggs, such as deviled eggs, identify your serving platter on water ice to keep the eggs cold during service. Set a timer to remind yourself to refrigerate the leftovers within two hours. If your eggs sit out longer than they should, play information technology safe and throw them out.