Are You Storing Eggs Wrong? The Right Way Keeps Them Fresh For WEEKS
In these days of egg-flation, it’s doubly important to protect the eggs we’ve probably spent a LOT of money on. And while eggs should last 3-5 weeks after purchase in the refrigerator, improper storage can cause them to go bad sooner.
Didn’t know there was a right (and a wrong!) way to store eggs? Beyond basic refrigeration, I didn’t either until I did this deep dive. Here’s everything you need to know about how to properly store this most precious ingredient—because we can’t afford to waste a single yolk!
Store Eggs On An Inside Shelf, Not In The Door
In the United States, commercially sold eggs are washed, a process that removes the natural protective coating on the outside of the eggs, also known as the "bloom." Since they no longer have that protective coating, the eggs need to be kept in the refrigerator. (Sure, there are some who argue that eggs can still be kept on the counter, but we wouldn't advise that.)
And that’s not all: According to the USDA, they should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (or slightly colder) and preferably on an inside shelf. While the temperature in the refrigerator door might fluctuate, the shelves on the inside typically maintain a fairly stable temperature. A nit-picky thing? Sure. But even a tiny detail like that can impact the longevity of your eggs.
Keep Eggs Away From Smelly Foods
Egg shells are porous, which means the eggs can (and will!) absorb any strong flavors or smells that they come into contact with. One way to prevent this from happening is to make sure the eggs are stored far away from any particularly fragrant leftovers or pungent sauces, and that anything particularly smelly is tightly sealed. You don’t want your scrambled eggs tasting like canned tuna.
Store Them In The Container They Came In
Those special egg holders might be chic, but they’re not helping your eggs stay fresh. Instead, keep the eggs in the carton they came in. This will keep the eggs from losing moisture, as well as help to prevent them from absorbing any stray flavors or odors that may still (despite your best efforts) be around them. That carton also contains the sell-by date, which, while NOT an expiration date, can help you remember how recently you bought the eggs.
Place Them Pointy-Side DOWN
If you asked someone to draw an egg, chances are they’d draw it with the point facing up. That’s the way most of us visualize eggs, but it’s actually NOT the best way to store them. For maximum freshness, eggs should actually be stored pointy-side down. The larger end of the egg contains something called the air sac, which is key for preserving the egg’s freshness and quality. (If you’re having trouble visualizing this, think about the last time you peeled a boiled egg. That empty spot near the large end of the egg? That’s the air sack.) Storing the egg pointy-end-down ensures that the air sac can float easily on top of the egg, rather than being squished by the weight of the yolk and the white. And that will help the egg stay fresher for longer.
Freeze Eggs For Extended Freshness
Eggs can also be frozen for up to 1 year. If you want to freeze them raw, you can separate the yolks and whites and freeze them separately, or whisk the yolks and whites together and freeze them like that. (If freezing yolks alone, add ⅛ teaspoon of salt for every four egg yolks to prevent the yolks from becoming overly thick and sticky when they freeze.) You can also freeze straight-up peeled hard-boiled eggs. Whatever you do, do NOT freeze raw eggs in the shells. They will expand when they freeze and burst the shells– and then you’ll end up with a mess in the freezer!
How To Cook With Frozen Eggs
To cook with frozen eggs, the American Egg Board recommends thawing them in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water and then using them immediately. For safety, it’s best to use them only in applications where the eggs are fully cooked.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’ve been gifted with an unexpected plethora of eggs (or are just paranoid about your single carton going bad before you can use it up!), keeping them in their container and storing them in the refrigerator in an interior shelf (pointy-side down!) should help them stay fresh for the maximum amount of time. You can even freeze them, as long as you don't keep them raw in their shells.
What’s your favorite way to cook your eggs? Let us know in the comments below.
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