Storing Hard Boiled Eggs

 

Question:

We are preparing (and decorating) some hard-boiled Easter eggs in advance.  How long will they keep in the refrigerator and still be edible?


Answer:

Check out my article How To Boil and Store Eggs.

 

Storing of hard-cooked (boiled) eggs:

Refrigeration is necessary for hard boiled eggs if the eggs are not to be consumed within a few hours.

It is preferable not to peel your eggs until you are ready to eat or use in your recipe.  Hard-cooked eggs in the shell can be refrigerated up to one (1) week.

Peeled hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator in a bowl of cold water to cover for about 1 week (change the water daily) – or in a sealed container without water (cover the eggs with damp paper towels) for the same length of time.

SAFETY NOTE:  It is not safe to leave hard-boiled eggs (including those in their shells) out at room temperature for long.  If they have been taken to a picnic, or served on a buffet, keep them cool (in a cooler) while they are being served, and discard the leftovers.

 

Question:

You have an excellent site for eggs, however, I do not see what I’m looking for.  Maybe you can answer a question that has come up at my work.  I understand a hard boiled egg can be left in the refrigerator for one week, but how long will shelf-life be if you were to peel the boiled egg and then refrigerate it?  Is it better to leave the shell on or take it off?


Answer:

Once eggs are cooked, they should be used within one week.  It doesn’t matter if they are peeled or not.  It is preferable not to peel them until you are ready to eat or use in your recipe.  Peeled hard boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator in a bowl of cold water to cover for about 1 week (change the water daily) – or in a sealed container without water (cover the eggs with damp paper towels) for the same length of time.

SAFETY NOTE:  It is not safe to leave hard boiled eggs (including those in their shells) out at room temperature for long.  If they have been taken to a picnic, or served on a buffet, keep them cool while they are being served, and discard the leftovers.

Check out my article on the How Fresh Are Your Eggs -Sell Date of Eggs.

 

Question:

We purchased hard-boiled eggs from a vendor, already peeled to be used for our breakfast for hotel guests.  Each day the eggs are floated in hot water in a chaffing dish.  The leftovers are returned to the refrigerator and place in the container with the still cold eggs.  The next morning the eggs are placed and floated back in the hot water.  Is this safe??


Answer:

Well, for one thing do you know how long the eggs have been previously hard boiled by the vendor?  Once eggs are cooked, they should be used within one (1) week.  It doesn’t matter if they are peeled or not.  If is preferable not to peel them until you are ready to eat or use in your recipe.  Peeled hard boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator in a bowl of cold water to cover for about 1 week (change the water daily).

SAFETY NOTE:   It is not safe to leave hard boiled eggs (including those in their shells) out at room temperature for long (and especially in hot water).  If they are being served on a buffet, keep them cool while they are being served, and discard the leftover eggs.  You should not be putting the hard cooked eggs in hot water and then returning them to cold water.  Eggs that have been in hot water and not used, should be thrown away for safety sake.  It is always better to be safe than sorry!

 

 

Comments and Reviews

21 Responses to “Storing Hard Boiled Eggs”

  1. MGM

    What should the hard boiled eggs (shell on) be stored in when in the fridge? A covered glass container? Just in a bowl? In a zip lock bag?
    Thanks for clarifying!

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      Either way is ok – in a covered glass or plastic container or in a zip lock plastic bag.

      Reply
  2. Ruby Contreras

    Can you put hard boiled eggs back in a pan with the shell on to boil, after be in terms refrigerator, the eggs are to cold to eat.

    Reply
    • Linda Stradley

      Check out this web site:

      Reply
  3. Pierce, Karen

    Can hard-boiled eggs be placed in the fridge while still hot or should I let them cool down first? Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Joe Nelson

    Thanks for your information and website. I’m a single senior bachelor and sometimes need the cooking help and food storage information. The answer gave me good information on “peeled” and “unpeeled” hard boiled eggs and their safe storage. Again, thank you!

    Reply
  5. Alkaianti

    How long can a boiled egg be kept in the open and still safe for consumption? Say the temperature of the room is 23-29 °C

    Reply
  6. JimTx

    You can also pickle your hard boiled eggs in a solution of half white vinegar, half water, and a tsp of salt. Add some pickling spice if you want some added flavor. They will keep for several weeks like this, no problem.

    Reply
  7. MPM

    I would surely NOT want to be a patron at the hotel where they are buying the eggs already pre-boiled, serving them to guests, then reserving the next day-GROSS! How lazy are you to boil an egg.

    Reply
    • Whats Cooking America

      Costco actually sells pre-cooked and peeled hard boiled eggs that are the best I have tasted for pre-cooked. Many restaurants have to do these tricks with food to get them on the table to guests quicker.

      Reply
  8. Max

    Can hard boiled eggs be chopped and stored in freezer? If so for how long.

    Reply
  9. Henry L Durand

    Once a hard boiled egg is refrigerated what is the best way to peel them.

    Reply
    • Diana

      I bought the egglet advertised on TV. Love it for poached and hard boild eggs.

      Reply
  10. John

    Need for clarification:
    First it is stated: “It doesn’t matter if they are peeled or not.”
    Then right after that it says: “It is preferable not to peel them until you are ready to [use them]”
    This contradictory, could you please explain? Thank you.

    Reply
  11. maria

    IS IT SAFE TO PUT BOILED EGGS RIGHT AFTER THEY ARE BOILED IN THE FREEZER IN AN OPEN CONTAINER FOR ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES TO COOL OFF. ACCIDENTLY I LEAFT THE EGGS OUT, AFTER I TOOK THEM OUT OF THE FREEZER IN ROOM TEMPERATURE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, OUT IN AN OPEN CONTAINER, ARE THE EGGS STILL SAFE TO EAT?

    Reply
  12. Brittney

    Can unpeeled hard boiled eggs be left in water in the fridge overnight?

    Reply
  13. Chris

    One can buy peeled hard boiled eggs in packs of 6 at the grocery in a sealed bag with a little bit of water and the expiration/use-by date is longer than a week. I don’t have any with me now but I think it’s 2 – 3 weeks.

    Why is that different?

    Reply
  14. Sharon Smith

    Can hard boiled eggs be vacum sealed?

    Reply
  15. Hema Devi

    Thanks for sharing such a nice post.

    Reply
  16. Victoria

    I have a question about peeled hard boiled eggs. If, when storing them in a bowl of water, the water needs to be changed daily– then, when storing them in a container, do the damp paper towels also need to be changed daily? Ty!

    Reply
  17. Paul h

    Question. My hard boiled eggs seem to retain water. When I cut them after being stored a few days they seemed filled with water, the water squirts out. How do you prevent that.

    Reply

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