Shea Simmons
In case you hadn’t heard, groceries are expensive. Eggs are currently one of the more pricy things to purchase. If you’ve let yours sit for just a bit too long in the fridge, can you still use them?
There’s some good news from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Don’t throw your eggs out right when they hit their expiration date. They’re likely still good to eat.
According to the agency, eggs can be refrigerated for three to five weeks. During that time, the sell-by date will probably pass. As long as you haven’t gone over that five-week mark, you should still be able to make your omelets just fine.
The USDA, however, does recommend purchasing eggs before they reach the expiration or sell-by dates. Once you have them, keep them in their carton and place them in the refrigerator. The agency recommends a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit for storage and advises storing them in the coldest part of the fridge—not the door.
If you do want a way to test egg freshness, though, all you need is a glass and some room temperature water. Fill the glass and place the egg into the water. If it stays submerged, it’s good. If it tilts or points upward, the egg is still good but waning in freshness. Eggs that float have gone bad.
Those looking to save money on groceries can do so by keeping those eggs around a bit longer, and if you want to keep more cash in your pocket, check out how to make ground beef stretch.
