Eggs Are Expensive — Store Them Properly So They Last

It can be difficult to distinguish whether or not the eggs sitting in your fridge are still good. And with prices seeming to climb up every day, we want to avoid tossing aside those perfectly good — and increasingly expensive — dozens in the trash. Ensuring that your eggs stay fresh for as long as possible is all about proper storage solutions.

There are so many different ways to cook eggs, but only a few ways you can safely store them. Raw eggs should be stored in the refrigerator and can remain in the carton they came in, so there is no need for fancy holders. What's more important is where you place the carton inside your fridge. Eggs stay fresh for the longest when they are placed on an inside shelf, away from the fluctuating temperatures of your fridge door. Your egg carton should also be placed away from particularly strong-smelling foods that could impact the eggs' taste and quality if those odors are absorbed. 

With these things in mind, raw eggs that remain in the shell will last you up to three to five weeks after the printed "sell by" date. If you are unsure whether or not your eggs are still good, double check that there is no discoloration or an unpleasant odor once you crack them open. You can also float eggs in water if you are still unsure whether or not you have a fresh batch on your hands.

Keeping raw eggs whole and inside the shell is the best way to preserve their freshness, but you can still store cracked, beaten, and boiled eggs. Egg whites stored in a sealed container can last up to four days in the fridge, while egg yolks and whole beaten eggs have a shelf life of just 48 hours.

You can also freeze cracked or beaten eggs to keep them fresh much longer than you might think. While it is not recommended to store whole eggs in freezing temperatures, egg whites, yolks, and slightly beaten eggs can all be frozen for up to one year. For the best storage, use freezer-safe containers with a tight seal, and be sure to label them with the date of freezing.

Meanwhile, hard boiled eggs that are left in the shell can last in the fridge for up to one week after they have been cooked and cooled. You can conveniently keep the eggs stored in the carton until you are ready to peel them. According to the USDA, hard boiled eggs spoil more quickly than raw eggs due to "a thin layer of water forming on the cooked egg surface under the shell." This water can form bacterial growth, causing a faster rate of spoilage. And once you have peeled your hard boiled eggs, it is recommended that you enjoy them the same day.