How long do boiled eggs last?
Hard boiled eggs keep up to 1 week in the fridge, in the shell or peeled. Get them in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking, and don't leave them out longer than that. Here's what USDA and FDA say, with links.
Quick answers
| Situation | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hard boiled, in the shell, in the fridge | Up to 1 week | FDA, FoodSafety.gov |
| Hard boiled, peeled, in the fridge | Up to 1 week (FDA). The American Egg Board says eat them the same day. | FDA, AEB |
| Getting them into the fridge after cooking | Within 2 hours | USDA FSIS |
| At room temperature | No more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C) | FDA |
| Left out overnight | Throw them away | Past the FDA's 2-hour limit |
| In the freezer | Don't freeze hard-cooked eggs | FoodSafety.gov, USDA FSIS |
| Egg salad, in the fridge | 3 to 4 days | FoodSafety.gov |
| Fridge temperature | 40°F (4°C) or below | FoodSafety.gov, FDA |
Why boiled eggs spoil faster than raw eggs
Raw eggs in the shell keep 3 to 5 weeks in the fridge, but boiled eggs only about a week. USDA explains why: hard-cooking leaves a thin layer of water between the egg and the shell, and that moisture gives bacteria a good place to grow.
How to store them
- Chill them in ice water, dry them, and get them in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking.
- Keep unpeeled eggs in the main part of the fridge, not the door. The American Egg Board suggests a loosely covered container rather than the original carton.
- Keep peeled eggs in a covered container and eat them soon.
- Write the cooking date on the container, so nobody has to guess.
Soft and jammy eggs
There's no separate official figure for soft-centred eggs. Treat them like a cooked egg dish, which USDA says to use within 3 to 4 days.
How to tell if a boiled egg has gone bad
A spoiled egg smells bad when you open it, cooked or raw, according to USDA. A slimy feel is another sign. If it's past a week, smells off, or you can't remember when you cooked it, throw it out.
A grey-green ring around the yolk is not spoilage. It's from overcooking and is safe to eat. See why boiled eggs turn green.
Easter eggs
The FDA says not to eat eggs after they've been hidden or played with, because bacteria on the shell can get onto the egg. Cook extra for eating.
Sources
All figures were checked on these pages on October 17, 2026:
- FDA: What You Need to Know About Egg Safety
- USDA FSIS: Shell Eggs from Farm to Table
- FoodSafety.gov: Cold Food Storage Chart
- American Egg Board: Important Food Safety Information
Questions people ask
How long do hard boiled eggs last in the fridge?
Up to 1 week, in the shell or peeled, according to the FDA. Refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking.
How long do peeled hard boiled eggs last?
The FDA says up to 1 week. The American Egg Board is more cautious and says to eat peeled eggs the same day. Keep them in a covered container.
Can boiled eggs sit out overnight?
No. The FDA says not to leave cooked eggs out more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). Throw out eggs left out overnight.
Can you freeze hard boiled eggs?
USDA and FoodSafety.gov say not to freeze hard-cooked eggs. The American Egg Board notes the whites turn tough and watery.