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Eggs are such a staple in our kitchens that it’s hard to imagine them sitting untouched long enough to actually go bad. However, we get that there are plenty of part-time egg lovers out there, in which case, it’s possible that you’ve got at least a half dozen languishing on the shelf. While we’d never judge your egg consumption habits, we also don’t want you to get sick. Here’s what to know about the shelf life of your favorite breakfast toppers, and how to make sure they stay fresh for as long as possible.
How long eggs actually last
While eggs have a pretty long shelf life compared to other fresh animal products, such as milk or yogurt, you should always make sure to check the dates on the carton—both before buying and before consuming. The Egg Safety Center—a resource for safe egg handling and consumption—recommends using eggs within three weeks of bringing them home from the store, OR within four to five weeks of the packing date printed on the carton.
What about the expiration date?
While you should of course check the expiration date on the carton before buying eggs, this date doesn’t necessarily tell you whether or not the eggs are still safe to eat. Certain states don’t allow a “sell-by” date to be printed on egg cartons: Instead, stores are required to pull eggs from shelves by the expiration date.
Does that mean eggs are always safe to eat after the expiration date has passed? No—not necessarily: You should still always check to see whether it’s spoiled before consuming. While the sniff test and float test are often used to determine if an egg has gone off, these aren’t typically very accurate: instead, it’s best to crack it open to observe whether there’s any discoloration or mold on the egg itself.
One note about farm-fresh eggs
Aside from age, one of the factors involved in how an egg looks and tastes is whether it’s from a farm or from a large-scale producer. Eggs from a local farm (or even from your neighbor’s chicken coop) usually have a deep orange-red yolk, and taste rich and almost buttery compared to a commercial chicken egg. This is because the hens are given more space to roam, allowing them to graze on a wide range of plants and insects. Another reason these eggs tend to taste so much better is that they’re usually much fresher: in contrast to conventional store-bought eggs, which are often 30 to 60 days old at the time of purchase, farm-raised eggs can be as little as one day old by the time you get your hands on them.
How to store eggs
No matter where your eggs come from, proper storage can make a big difference in how long they stay fresh. The worst place to store your eggs by far (other than at room temperature)is the fridge door: this is the spot in your refrigerator with the least consistent temperature, which—while fine for less temperature-sensitive items like pickles and mustard—is not as safe for perishables like eggs and milk. Instead, store your eggs on the middle or lower shelves of the fridge, which are consistently the coldest.
The bottom line
Buying eggs doesn’t have to be a challenge: just check the dates on the package, store them on the lower shelves of your fridge, and make sure to use them up sooner rather than later. Need to use up a bunch of eggs at once? We got you: whip up a tray of these shocking pink beet-pickled deviled eggs for your next picnic, or get a head start on your breakfast prep with these infinitely adaptable egg bites.
