How long do cooked eggs stay good? (3 egg-forms)
In this brief guide, we discuss ‘How Long do Cooked Eggs stay good’ and the measures that let them stay good for long. The period cooked eggs stay good varies depending on factors such as; atmospheric temperature and the prepared ways. This general guideline would help you to determine for how long do cooked eggs stay good. To confirm, your sense of taste and smell could also be helpful.
We must know that cooked eggs stay good for a shorter period than their raw counterpart. The reason being that even if the eggshell is intact, its protective layer comes off when boiled. Loss of the outer cover makes the egg porous. In turn, this causes bacteria from the air to come in contact with the inside.
How long do cooked eggs stay good?
According to the USDA, boiled eggs, whether peeled or unpeeled, should last for a week in the refrigerator. In Europe, however, boiled eggs can last for up to 2 weeks. In other countries, the conditions and laws differ, which makes eggs last shorter or longer.
Factors that keep your eggs fresh
To let cooked eggs stay good for a while, first of all, you need to make wise- buying decisions. Buy clean, refrigerated eggs from a trusted supplier.
The Standard operating procedure has to be complied with, from the farm to the fork. After you get your eggs, refrigerate promptly and not leave them out for more than 2 hours.
Assuming that your eggs comply with the best possible quality and safety, it now comes down to how efficiently you treat them. The life of cooked eggs also depends on other factors such as your egg-based product and the ambient environment.
Egg handling guide
When storing eggs in the refrigerator, place them on a shelf inside instead of the door. Also, stack them in an enclosed carton or airtight container to help retain their moisture.
Refrigerate your eggs within two hours of cooking them. Unlike raw eggs, cooked-eggs must not be as frozen. Cooked egg dishes last a short time, even after refrigeration. Being a fermented food, pickled eggs last the longest; for about a month.
The main factor for premature food spoilage such as eggs is bacterial contamination that begins at around 40-60 degrees. For eggs, the possible contamination with Salmonella in their raw state and not storing at cool temperatures is the main reason that prevents cooked eggs from staying good.
Egg Consumption and safety
Eggs, being a sensitive commodity, have to be handled and stored with careful considerations. Eggs are also at risk of being contaminated with Salmonella, which makes their handling, storage, preparation very crucial.
Consuming a poorly cooked or spoiled egg can cause food poisoning, with severity ranging from mild to life-threatening. If you show symptoms of food poisoning, contact your healthcare provider. The severity as well can be mild or life-threatening.
Cooked egg Types and their life expectancies (hard-boiled, scrambled, and egg-based dishes)
Scrambled eggs last up to four days after being thoroughly cooked, wrapped, and refrigerated.
Before consumption, it is better to reheat it to ensure its safety. The same applies to omelets, as they also need to be tightly wrapped and refrigerated in an airtight container or bag.
Hard-cooked eggs last for a week, while eggs in a cooked dish should stay edible for 3 or 4 days. These include casseroles, Quiche, and scrambled eggs. Cooked-eggs and egg dishes might stay good, considering that they were stored in the fridge and not left out for more than 2 hours.
Also, serve cooked eggs such as hard-boiled eggs, fried eggs, and foods such as quiches and souffles immediately. However, if you must save them for later, you must follow the guidelines below.
Refrigerate your egg-based dish and not leave it out in the open for more than 2 hours. However, if the atmospheric temperature is more than 90 Fahrenheit, the time gets restricted to an hour. Also, when you serve, reheat it to at least 165 Fahrenheit.
Refrigeration of your egg dish should be done in preferably small batches in a clean refrigerator at a temperature of no greater than 40 Fahrenheit.
There are other measures to preserve your eggs; by following serving guidelines and efficient planning during occasions such as parties, picnics, and travels.
Depending on your dish, keep platters at extreme temperatures. Keep hot egg dishes hot and cold dishes cold; to ensure that food stays at a suitable temperature. Try to serve as small platters as possible to minimize exposure to unsuitable conditions.
You could carry cold dishes on an insulated cooler with ice or frozen gel packs. For storage, look for a place that is cool and shady to place your egg dish. If it is for either work or school, you can use a frozen juice box and put it in contact with your egg/egg dish.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we discussed ‘How Long do Cooked Eggs stay good’ and the measures that come into play, such as atmospheric temperature and the prepared ways. This general guideline would help you to determine for how long do cooked eggs stay good.
Citations
https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-egg-safety
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/boiled-egg-nutrition
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-long-can-you-keep-scrambled-eggs-in-the-refrigerator/
https://foodsguy.com/reheat-omelette/
https://www.incredibleegg.org/recipes/egg-tips-tricks/egg-storage/
https://www.eggs.ca/eggs101/view/39/egg-storage-freshness-and-food-safety