How to tell if eggs have gone bad: 4 simple methods

Use our Test Kitchen’s easy go-to tricks to tell if eggs are bad.

Key Takeaways

• Use the float test to check egg freshness: fresh eggs sink, bad eggs float.
• A rotten or sulfur-like smell when cracking an egg means it’s bad.
• Egg whites that are watery or discolored indicate a bad egg.

Eggs are a staple in many sweet and savory dishes, from fresh bread, and cookies to cakes and quiches. If your eggs are nearing their expiration date, you can avoid waste by determining whether they’re still fresh. Carton dates might be confusing, but don’t fret—there are reliable ways to assess egg freshness. Use the BHG Test Kitchen’s simple techniques to ensure your eggs are still good to use.

Related: Can I Eat Food Past Its Expiration Date? Here's What Experts Say

How to Tell If Eggs Are Bad

There are several methods to test if eggs are still good to use in your morning scramble or cookie recipes. The simplest way is the sink or float test, but we’ll cover all the methods to ensure your eggs are fresh.

If your refrigerator loses power, eggs are safe if the temperature remains at 40°F or below. According to FoodSafety.gov, meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, soft cheeses, shredded cheeses, and milk sshould be discarded if the temperature exceeds 40°F for over two hours.

1. Egg Float Test

As eggs age, their shells become more porous, allowing air sacs to form and separate from the membrane. To test if eggs are bad, fill a bowl with cool water and gently drop in the eggs. Fresh eggs sink and lie flat, while eggs that sink with the tip pointing upward are still usable but should be used soon.

Related: Can You Still Use Cracked Eggs—or Should You Toss Them?

Tips

Test Kitchen Tip: Floating eggs might be okay to eat if they don’t have off odors or discoloration when cracked open, but if unsure, it’s best to discard them.

2. Smell Test

You’ve likely heard “smells like a rotten egg.” If, upon cracking, you detect a rotten, sulfur-like odor, it’s a clear sign the egg is bad. Fresh eggs, on the other hand, have almost no smell.

3. Check the Egg Whites

The air entering through porous shells can change the appearance of egg whites. Crack the egg into a bowl or onto a plate. Fresh egg whites appear thick and slightly opaque, while bad eggs have whites that are watery and clear. If the whites appear greenish or iridescent, the egg has definitely gone bad.

Tips

Test Kitchen Tip: While yolk color is more about the hen’s diet, yolks in bad eggs may be flat rather than dome-shaped.

4. Shake the Egg

Besides the float test, you can shake the egg near your ear to check freshness without cracking it. A fresh egg won’t produce sound. If you hear liquid sloshing, it means the whites and yolk have become watery and are moving around due to air pockets. If you detect liquid movement, use another test to decide whether to toss or use the egg immediately.

How Long Do Eggs Last?

The date on the carton is a good starting point, but how eggs are stored affects their longevity (in or out of the shell). Here’s a general timeline for how long eggs last.

Refrigerated Eggs

The American Egg Board (AEB) advises storing eggs in the refrigerator at 40ºF or lower. While egg storage containers are available, the AEB suggests keeping eggs in their original carton, away from strong-smelling foods, and not on the fridge door.

Frozen Eggs

If eggs need to be used soon, freeze them to avoid waste. Beat whole eggs slightly or separate yolks and whites, then freeze in an airtight container for up to a year. Label with the date.

Thaw frozen eggs in the fridge overnight. As yolks thicken when frozen, the AEB suggests adding ⅛ teaspoon of salt or 1½ teaspoon of sugar or corn syrup per ¼ cup of yolks (about 4 large yolks). Avoid freezing whole eggs in shells or hard-boiled eggs.

Related: https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/egg-substitute/

For less fresh eggs, our Test Kitchen recommends making hard-boiled eggs as they peel more easily. Complement meals with an egg casserole for brunch or a breakfast-for-dinner recipe.

Frequently asked Questions

Should you wash eggs before eating?

According to the USDA, “It’s not necessary or recommended for consumers to wash commercially packaged eggs, and it may actually increase the risk of contamination because the wash water can be “sucked” into the egg through the pores in the shell. When the chicken lays the egg, a protective coating is put on the outside by the hen.”

How long can hard boiled eggs be kept in the fridge before going bad?

Hard-cooked eggs last for seven days when kept in their shells. Use peeled eggs within 2-3 days. Always refrigerate boiled eggs within two hours of cooking, and avoid leaving them at room temperature for over two hours.

If an egg is cracked, is it still good?

As a precaution, discard eggs with cracked shells. If a small crack occurred on the way home from the store, perform the float test. If it sinks and looks and smells fine, use the egg immediately.

Read the original article on Better Homes & Gardens