When you boil the eggs, and by chance, you cannot eat all of those boiled eggs, you surely can’t throw them away. So they need to be stored properly for the next day. But how to store them? Do hard boiled eggs in the shell need to be refrigerated?
Yes, you should always refrigerate the hard-boiled eggs in the shell if you don’t want to consume them immediately. Because if refrigerated when in shell, they prevent any bacteria or odor from other foods in the refrigeration. Hard-boiled eggs need to be refrigerated because at room temperature for extended periods of time, bacteria will multiply quickly. So refrigeration is necessary.
Let’s get to know more about hard boiled eggs and refrigeration.
Do Hard Boiled Eggs in the Shell Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, they need to be refrigerated as they have a shorter life span once they get boiled. Moreover, they need to be stored in a shell because it will prevent bacteria from entering and any odor from other foods during refrigeration.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hard-boiled eggs, whether peeled or unpeeled, can be securely stored in the refrigerator for roughly one week when stored properly.
So always store the hard boiled eggs immediately after keeping them in their shells. However, if the eggs had been peeled, then they should be stored in an airtight container with a damp paper towel to protect them from drying.
How long do hard boiled eggs last?
Hard-boiled eggs last for a week if properly stored or refrigerated. Whether they are peeled or still in the shell, properly refrigerated hard-boiled eggs should be consumed within one week of boiling.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hard-boiled eggs, whether peeled or unpeeled, can be securely stored in the refrigerator for roughly one week when stored properly.
However, hard-boiled eggs will not last more than two hours if kept at room temperature and outside of the refrigerator. As for the 90-degree Fahrenheit or hotter temperatures, you should throw them away after just one hour of being left out.
Can I store hard boiled eggs without the shell?
Yes, you can store them without their shell; however, it is always preferred to store them with their shell, as it prevents bacteria and odor from getting inside of the egg. However, if kept in an airtight container or bowl of water, then they will remain good to eat even for a week.
The eggs should be stored in an airtight container with a damp paper towel to protect them from drying out after they’ve been peeled.
Peeled hard-boiled eggs, like unpeeled ones, should be refrigerated as soon as possible, much like their unpeeled counterparts.
Why refrigerate hard-boiled eggs?
In terms of nutrition, eggs are a powerhouse; however, they can pose a health hazard when left out in the open for too long. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not safer to leave out hard-boiled eggs than raw eggs. Eggs that have been boiled are more sensitive to bacterial infection.
If eggs are left at room temperature for extended periods of time, bacteria will multiply quickly. According to the Food and Drug Administration, Salmonella is one of the most common dangers connected with rotting eggs.
Any food tainted by Salmonella and not handled properly might transmit the infection, which can remain for four to seven days after exposure.
So, to avoid any kind of bacteria from growing, always refrigerate hard-boiled eggs if they are not meant to be consumed.
How to know if hard-boiled egg is good to eat?
If your hard-boiled eggs smell like sulfur or have any other bad scents, they should be thrown out immediately. However, if you see eggs to be good but have some greenish color on the yolk, then they are still ok to be eaten.
Because bacteria like Salmonella thrive in spoiled eggs, it’s critical to check to see whether they’ve gone bad. As always, if you’re unsure, toss them in the trash.
Can you eat 2 week old hard boiled eggs?
No, even if refrigerated, you should not eat two-week-old hard-boiled eggs because, according to USDA, it is safe to eat hard boiled eggs stored properly for only one week. After that period, they start to go bad.
They may start developing fungi, even in the fridge. So just toss them out if they become more than one week old.
Bottom Line
This was all about hard boiled eggs & their refrigeration. We hope now you know, ‘do hard boiled eggs in the shell need to be refrigerated.’ So they definitely need to be refrigerated and better with their shell on. However, even if they don’t have the shell, they can stay good to eat for one week if refrigerated.
We hope this article was helpful & informative. Please leave your valuable thoughts & suggestions in the comments below!
Thank you for reading!