Quick Answer
Eggs that are unrefrigerated and 3 months past their sell-by date should not be consumed. After 3 months without refrigeration, eggs are likely to be unsafe due to bacterial growth like salmonella. Refrigerated eggs can last 3-5 weeks past their sell-by date if the shells are intact, but the quality declines over time. Ultimately, it’s best to discard eggs 3 months after purchase, whether refrigerated or not. Eating old eggs that may be contaminated with bacteria can cause food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
How Long Do Eggs Last?
How long eggs stay fresh depends on whether they have been refrigerated continuously:
- Unrefrigerated eggs last for about 2-4 weeks past the sell-by or expiration date on the packaging.
- Refrigerated eggs typically stay safe for 3-5 weeks after the sell-by date.
Proper refrigeration at 40°F or below helps slow bacterial growth and preserve freshness. For this reason, eggs are typically stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, rather than the door. The sell-by date is usually 3-5 weeks from the packaging date, so total refrigerated shelf life from when you buy eggs is about 6-8 weeks.
At room temperature, bacteria grow more rapidly and the quality deteriorates faster. After 2-4 weeks without refrigeration, eggs become unsafe to eat.
Regardless of refrigeration, eggs that are 3 months past the sell-by or expiration date should be discarded. Over time, the protective cuticle layer on the eggshell weakens and makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate the shell and contaminate the egg. The air cell inside the egg also gradually enlarges, which causes the egg white and yolk to break down.
Can You Get Sick from 3 Month Old Eggs?
Eating eggs that are 3 months old, whether stored at room temperature or refrigerated, poses some health risks:
Salmonella Contamination
Salmonella is a bacteria that can live on the outer shell and occasionally penetrate the egg if the cuticle has weakened over time. If you eat an egg contaminated with salmonella, you may experience symptoms like:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Symptoms typically begin 6-72 hours after ingesting contaminated eggs and last for about 4-7 days. Salmonella infection can be serious in vulnerable populations like the elderly, infants, or those with weakened immune systems.
The risk of salmonella increases over time as the egg ages and the protective cuticle breaks down. Leaving eggs unrefrigerated also promotes bacteria growth.
Spoiled Egg Contents
Even if the egg isn’t contaminated with salmonella, the egg contents themselves can spoil and become unsafe to eat. Signs that an egg has spoiled include:
- Unpleasant sulfur-like smell when cracked open
- Discoloration or odd appearance of the egg white or yolk
- Slimy egg white instead of thick consistency
- Unusually runny yolk
Consuming spoiled egg contents can potentially lead to food poisoning, characterized by nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea several hours after ingestion.
So after 3 months without refrigeration, eggs are very likely to be spoiled or contaminated in some way. It’s not worth the health risk.
How to Tell if Refrigerated Eggs Are Still Good
If your eggs have been continuously refrigerated but are past the sell-by date, check for the following signs of freshness:
- Check the shell – it should be clean and intact, without cracks
- Examine the white and yolk after cracking – the white should be thick and opaque, the yolk bright yellow
- Do a float test – place the egg in water; if it sinks to the bottom and stays horizontal, it’s very fresh. If it floats or stands on its end, it’s old and should be discarded.
- Smell the egg – it should have no odor at all. Any smell means it’s gone bad.
As long as refrigerated eggs look, smell, and feel normal, they can be used for cooking and baking 3-5 weeks past the sell-by date. The quality just slowly declines over time. Using the oldest eggs first is best.
Any eggs that are odd in appearance, smell bad, or float in water should be thrown away even before their expiration date. When in doubt, it’s safest to discard eggs that are several weeks past their prime.
How Long Do Hard Boiled Eggs Last?
The shelf life for hard boiled eggs also depends on refrigerator temperature:
- 1 week – Refrigerated at 40°F
- 2-3 weeks – Refrigerated at 34-38°F
Properly cooked hard boiled eggs that feel cold to the touch can be kept refrigerated for up to 1 week. After that point, bacteria like listeria and salmonella can still grow even in the cooked egg white and yolk. Use hard boiled eggs within 2-3 weeks for the best quality.
Discard any hard boiled eggs that have an off color or odor when peeled. Eggs that have been out of the fridge for more than 2 hours should also be thrown away. Bacteria multiply quickly at room temperature.
Can You Freeze Eggs?
To extend the shelf life of eggs, you can freeze them:
- Raw whole eggs in shells can be frozen for up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator and use for baking, cooking, or omelets. The whites may become runny after thawing.
- Raw egg whites and yolks can be frozen separately for up to 1 year. Use thawed egg whites to make meringues or whipped cream. Thawed yolks are best for custards, sauces, and baking.
- Hard boiled eggs can be refrigerated for up to 1 year. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Label your frozen eggs with the date before freezing. Don’t refreeze eggs after thawing.
How to Use Up Old Eggs
If you have eggs that are nearing the 3-5 week mark but still look and smell normal, use them up quickly with any of these options:
- Omelets, scrambled eggs, fried eggs
- Baked goods like cakes, cookies, muffins, and quick breads
- Casseroles, frittatas, and stratas
- Egg salad, deviled eggs, or as topping on a salad
- Quiches or crustless quiche
- Pancakes, waffles, or crepes
- French toast or bread pudding
The additional ingredients will help mask any slight off-flavors in older eggs. Avoid using very old eggs for dishes like meringue or soft boiled eggs where the egg flavor is prominent.
Cook Thoroughly
With any recipe using older eggs, always cook the dishes thoroughly until the egg mixture reaches 160°F. This helps destroy any potential bacteria for food safety.
Can You Test if Eggs Are Still Good?
Besides the float test and visual inspection, there are some other ways to check if eggs are still fresh and safe to eat:
Candling
Candling involves shining a bright light through the egg. The size of the air cell and the appearance of the yolk shadow can help determine freshness. An larger air cell and flattened yolk shadow indicate an older egg.
Freshness Test Kits
Special egg testing kits measure the amount of carbon dioxide escaping through the shell, which increases as the egg ages. More carbon dioxide indicates lower quality and freshness.
Opening and Inspecting
Carefully cracking open the egg and smelling it is the most definitive way to check for spoiled odors. The appearance of the white and yolk can also reveal abnormalities signaling that the egg has gone bad.
However, take care when cracking open older eggs, as they are more prone to bacterial contamination if the shell isn’t intact. Use the other testing methods first before cracking into suspect eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat refrigerated eggs after the use by date?
Refrigerated eggs can often be safely consumed for 3-5 weeks after the use by or sell-by date, as long as the eggs still look and smell normal. The best practice is to follow the use by date, then do a freshness check before deciding if the eggs can be used.
Do eggs need to be refrigerated?
Yes, proper refrigeration at 40°F or below helps slow bacterial growth. Store eggs in the coldest part of the fridge, not the door. Eggs kept at room temperature go bad much more quickly.
Can you get salmonella from eggs with intact shells?
In rare cases, yes – if the shell has any cracks that allow bacteria to penetrate, or the shell cuticle has weakened over time, contamination is possible. That’s why old eggs pose higher food poisoning risks. But a high-quality egg with an undamaged shell and cuticle provides good protection against bacteria.
Do hard boiled eggs need refrigeration?
Yes, properly cooked hard boiled eggs still need to be refrigerated and eaten within 1 week for food safety. The refrigeration helps prevent bacterial growth even in hard boiled eggs over time.
Can you freeze eggs?
Yes, both raw shell eggs and separated whites/yolks can be frozen for up to 1 year for extended shelf life. Make sure to label frozen eggs with the date. Don’t refreeze after thawing.
The Bottom Line
Eggs that are unrefrigerated and 3 months past their sell-by date should be discarded. Refrigerated eggs may be good for an additional 3-5 weeks after the sell-by date as long as they look and smell normal. However, quality declines over time. For peak freshness and food safety, use refrigerated eggs within 3-5 weeks. Hard boil or freeze eggs to extend their usable life. Ultimately, it’s wisest to throw out eggs 3 months after the purchase date, refrigerated or not. Consuming very old eggs raises your risk of food poisoning from bacterial contamination.