Ever stared at that carton of eggs sitting in your fridge and wondered if they’re still okay to eat? I’ve been there too! Last week, I found some eggs that were two weeks past their sell-by date and almost threw them away But then I remembered the simple tests my grandmother taught me to check egg freshness.
Whether you’re planning to make breakfast, bake a cake, or just want to avoid food waste, knowing how to tell if chicken eggs are still good is an essential kitchen skill. The good news? You don’t need fancy equipment – just a few household items and your senses
Why Eggs Last Longer Than You Think
Before jumping into the tests, it’s important to understand that eggs typically last way longer than most people realize According to the USDA, eggs can remain fresh for 3-5 weeks after you put them in the fridge – which is often well past the date printed on the carton
Those dates on egg cartons can be confusing too! The “sell-by” date isn’t actually an expiration date. It’s just telling stores how long to display the product. Eggs can still be perfectly good weeks after this date if stored properly.
5 Easy Ways to Check If Your Eggs Are Still Good
Let’s dive into the methods that’ll help you determine whether those eggs deserve a spot in your omelet or should head to the trash bin.
1. The Float Test (Water Test)
This is probably the most reliable and popular method for checking egg freshness.
What you’ll need: A bowl of cold water
How to do it:
- Fill a bowl with enough cold water to completely cover the egg
- Gently place the egg in the water
- Observe what happens
What it means:
- Egg lays flat on its side at the bottom = Very fresh egg
- Egg stands upright on the bottom = Still good but use soon
- Egg floats to the top = The egg is old and possibly spoiled
Why this works: Eggshells are semipermeable, meaning air can pass through them. As eggs age, more air enters through the shell, creating a larger air pocket that makes the egg buoyant. The more an egg floats, the older it is.
I tried this with some eggs that were a month old and was surprised to find most of them still sank to the bottom, though they stood upright rather than laying flat.
2. The Shake Test
This is super easy and you don’t need anything but the egg itself.
How to do it:
- Hold the egg next to your ear
- Gently shake it
- Listen for any sound
What it means:
- No sound = Fresh egg
- Sloshing sound = Older egg that may be spoiling
Why this works: As eggs age, the yolk and white begin to break down, becoming more watery. This creates that sloshing sound when you shake it.
3. The Sniff Test
Sometimes your nose knows best! This test is best done after cracking the egg.
How to do it:
- Crack the egg into a bowl
- Give it a sniff
What it means:
- Neutral or no odor = Fresh egg
- Sulfuric or rotten smell = Bad egg
This one’s pretty straightforward – if it smells bad, don’t eat it! A fresh egg should have almost no scent at all. If there’s a distinct sulfur smell (kinda like rotten eggs, duh!), toss it immediately.
4. Visual Inspection of the Shell
Before cracking, take a good look at the outside.
What to look for:
- Clean, non-shiny shell = Normal egg
- Cracks = Potentially contaminated
- Slimy or powdery exterior = Bacteria or mold present
I once found an egg with a weird powdery substance on the shell – straight into the trash it went! However, if an egg cracked on the way home from the store and you’re sure it was fresh, the USDA says you can use it immediately or refrigerate it in a sealed container and use within two days.
5. Visual Inspection After Cracking
Sometimes you need to look inside to really know what’s going on.
What to look for:
- Thick, slightly opaque whites and dome-shaped yolk = Fresh egg
- Watery, clear whites = Older egg
- Discoloration (green, black, or pink) = Spoiled egg
- Yolk that breaks easily = Older egg
Did you know that a blood spot in an egg is actually perfectly safe? It’s just a ruptured blood vessel that happened during formation and doesn’t indicate spoilage.
How Long Do Eggs Last in Different Storage Conditions?
To help you keep track of your eggs’ freshness, here’s a handy guide:
| Storage Method | How Long They Last |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated (in shell) | Up to 5 weeks beyond packing date or about 3 weeks after purchase |
| Raw whole eggs (out of shell) | Up to 2 days |
| Raw egg whites | Up to 4 days |
| Hard-boiled eggs (in shell) | Up to 1 week |
| Hard-boiled eggs (peeled) | Use same day if possible |
| Frozen eggs (beaten) | Up to 1 year |
Common Questions About Egg Freshness
Should I wash eggs before using them?
Nope! Store-bought eggs have already been cleaned and have a protective coating applied. Washing them might actually increase contamination risk by drawing bacteria through the porous shell.
Can I use eggs with cracks in the shell?
It’s better to be safe than sorry with cracked eggs. Cracks can allow bacteria to enter the egg. If you spot a crack when you get home from the store, either use it immediately or toss it.
Are older eggs good for anything?
Yes! Older eggs (those that stand upright in water but don’t float) are actually BETTER for hard-boiling because they’re easier to peel than very fresh eggs. I always save my older-but-still-good eggs for making deviled eggs or egg salad.
Why do hard-boiled eggs sometimes have greenish yolks?
Don’t worry – that greenish color around hard-boiled yolks isn’t spoilage. It’s just a chemical reaction between the iron in the yolk and sulfur in the white, typically caused by overcooking. It’s completely safe to eat!
What About Brown vs. White Eggs?
There’s no difference in freshness or quality between brown and white eggs. The color is determined by the breed of chicken, not by freshness or nutritional content. Brown eggs come from breeds with red feathers and ear lobes, while white eggs come from chickens with white feathers and ear lobes.
How to Store Eggs for Maximum Freshness
To get the most life out of your eggs:
- Keep them in their original carton (it protects them and keeps the date visible)
- Store in the main body of the refrigerator, not the door where temperatures fluctuate
- Keep eggs away from strong-smelling foods (shells are porous and can absorb odors)
- Don’t wash eggs before storing them
- Store with the pointed end down to keep the yolk centered
What to Do With Eggs That Are About to Expire
Got eggs that passed the freshness tests but are getting older? Don’t waste ’em! Here are some ideas:
- Hard-boil them (older eggs peel easier!)
- Make a big batch of scrambled eggs
- Bake a quiche or frittata
- Freeze them (crack them first, beat slightly, and freeze in airtight containers)
- Make a custard or pudding
- Whip up some French toast
Final Thoughts
I used to be super paranoid about eggs and would toss them at the first sign of being past their date. But after learning these simple tests, I’ve saved so many perfectly good eggs from the garbage!
Remember, the printed date on the carton is just a guideline. Your eyes, nose, and the float test are much more reliable indicators of whether an egg is still good to eat.
When in doubt, though, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If multiple tests give mixed results or you’re just not confident about an egg’s freshness, it’s probably best to toss it and avoid the risk of foodborne illness.
What’s your go-to method for checking egg freshness? I’m curious to know if you’ve tried any of these methods or if you have other tricks up your sleeve!
Quick Recap: How to Test Egg Freshness
- Float test: Fresh eggs sink and lay flat; bad eggs float
- Shake test: Fresh eggs make no sound; old eggs slosh
- Sniff test: Fresh eggs have no odor; bad eggs smell sulfuric
- Shell check: Look for cracks, slime, or powder
- Visual inspection: Fresh whites are thick; fresh yolks are domed
Now you’re equipped with all the knowledge you need to never waste another good egg or accidentally use a bad one! Happy cooking!
How long do eggs stay fresh?
According to the FDA, eggs that are refrigerated and stored in their original purchase container may last up to 3 weeks.
How to safely handle eggs
According to the FDA, these steps should help prevent contamination from eggs that contain bacteria like salmonella or mold:
- Wash all surfaces, mixing bowls, utensils, and dishes with hot, soapy water before and after contact with raw eggs.
- Keep eggs in the refrigerator – never leave them out for more than 2 hours.
- Cook dishes containing raw eggs immediately. To cook later, refrigerate immediately and cook within 24 hours.
- Cook casseroles and other dishes containing eggs to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees F. Use a food thermometer to ensure the dish is 160 F.
- Always cook eggs until both the white and yolk are firm.
- Serve cooked eggs and dishes containing eggs immediately after cooking. If you must delay serving them, place cooked eggs or egg casseroles in a shallow container to cool faster. Once cool, refrigerate immediately. Eat them within 3 to 4 days.
Your eyes and nose are valuable tools for telling whether an egg is good or bad. While the egg is still in its shell, check the shell to be sure it is not cracked, slimy, or powdery.
Sliminess or cracks may indicate the presence of bacteria, while a powdery appearance on the shell may indicate mold.
If the shell appears dry and undamaged, crack the egg into a clean, white bowl or plate before using. Look for any pink or iridescent discoloration in the yolk or whites, as this may indicate bacterial growth.
If you notice any signs of discoloration, throw the egg out and wash the bowl with hot, soapy water before testing a new egg.
You can also check to see if the whites or yolk of the egg are runny. This is an indication that the egg is old and that the quality has declined.
The float test is one of the most popular methods for checking whether an egg is good or bad. This is also a common method for determining the age of a fertilized egg that is developing into a chick.
To perform the float test, gently set your egg into a bowl or bucket of water. If the egg sinks, it is fresh. If it tilts upward or even floats, it is old.
This is because as an egg ages, the small air pocket inside it grows larger as water is released and replaced by air. If the air pocket becomes large enough, the egg may float.
While this method may tell you whether an egg is fresh or old, it doesn’t tell whether it is good or bad. An egg that sinks can still be bad, while an egg that floats may still be fine to eat.