Every foodstuff has a certain shelf life during which it will be fit for consumption. Once the shelf life gets over, it will naturally become unsuitable for consumption. In such cases, if it is consumed, then it might cause several health issues. Eggs are consumed almost everyday by people across the globe. Most people prefer eating boiled eggs for breakfast. It will provide them the much needed protein which will keep them fit and healthy. Sometimes, we might end up with surplus boiled eggs if some members in the family decide not to have eggs for some reason. During such situations, we might definitely feel the urge to keep the eggs away properly, and use them at a later point of time. Hence, we might wonder how long do boiled eggs last & how to know if they have gone bad. Storing these unused boiled eggs is indeed a great idea, but it must be noted that they will remain consumable for a short period of time only. After that, these eggs will go bad, and the growth of microbes might also begin. Hence, if you consume these bad eggs, then you might land in the hospital with a stomach infection. So, make sure you are aware of the shelf life of these boiled eggs. If the shelf life has been crossed, then you should definitely throw them away!
Find out how long do boiled eggs last….
- Some people prefer having soft boiled eggs. On the other hand, others might like having eggs that are hard boiled. The shelf life will vary considerably according to the type of boiled egg that is under consideration.
- In the case of soft boiled eggs, they will last for only 2 days when refrigerated. In addition to that, it must be noted that this particular shelf life is only applicable if the shell is on. If the shell is removed, then the shelf life will be considerably shorter than this.
- The soft boiled eggs have such a short shelf life as they are not fully cooked. The yolk portion of the soft boiled eggs is not cooked thoroughly, and is left raw. This makes them prone to damage.
- As a result, it is always recommended that you make the soft boiled eggs as per the demand only. Thereby you will be able to serve them warm, and you will not have to save the leftovers in the fridge.
- Now, let us come to the shelf life of hard boiled eggs. These eggs are fully cooked, and as a result, their shelf life is significantly longer when compared to that of soft boiled eggs.
- As per reports, the hard boiled eggs can be preserved in the refrigerator for up to seven days. Thus, you will be able to keep these eggs in good condition for a week. This is a decent time period, and you will be able to use them before they go bad.
- Again, it must be noted that, in the case of hard boiled eggs too, this shelf life is applicable only if you leave the shell intact. So, make sure you are storing the boiled eggs with their shells on.
How to know if the boiled eggs have gone bad?
Now that we have seen how long do boiled eggs last, let’s take a look at the signs which indicate that the boiled eggs have gone bad.
- As we have already stated, both soft boiled, as well as hard boiled eggs have a certain shelf life, and they will become unfit for consumption as the shelf life gets over. Sometimes, we might store these eggs in the refrigerator, and forget about them. Later, when we find them, we might wonder if it is okay to consume them or not.
- Now, during such circumstances, we should look for the signs which indicate that the eggs have gone bad. The main indication that the boiled egg has gone bad is its odor. In case you notice any kind of sulfurous, rotten, or unpleasant smell, then it clearly indicates that the boiled eggs have gone bad. In such cases, you must throw them away immediately.
- Some people think that if the yolk is gray or green in color, then the hard boiled egg has gone bad. But, this is not true because the color of the egg yolk actually depends on the cooking time. Overcooking leads to gray, or green coloured egg yolk. It also significantly alters the taste of the yolk.
How to store the boiled eggs properly?
If you are curious to know how long do boiled eggs last, then you might also wonder how to store them properly.
- If you intend to store the boiled eggs for later use, then you must transfer these eggs into a bowl containing cold water. This must be carried out immediately after they are cooked. Transferring these eggs into cold water will help in cooling them easily.
- After the eggs are cool, they must be dried thoroughly using paper towels. It must be noted that the moisture level must be kept at minimum in order to prolong the shelf life.
- Thereafter, you must place the eggs in an airtight, as well as hard-sided storage container. Alternatively, you can also try using a storage bag that is resealable.
- Lastly, if you are intending to store boiled eggs in the refrigerator, then always store them in the unpeeled condition.
Conclusion
We have discussed how long do boiled eggs last, how to know if they have gone bad, and how to store them properly. Though storing boiled eggs in the refrigerator is a good option, you must avoid doing it as much as possible. Sometimes, you might prefer to boil some eggs together, and use it later as per the requirement. This will definitely save your time, and effort. But, at the same time, consuming fresh foods is always recommended in order to maintain proper health, and well being. It will also eliminate the risk of developing other health issues.
