Shea Simmons
People probably aren’t stashing their leftover scrambled eggs in the fridge. But if you meal prep and make egg bites or egg salad, how long will those cooked eggs stay good?
You should probably be strategic about your meal prep days because as it turns out, cooked eggs are only good for three to four days when kept in the fridge.
For those of you who meal prep on Sunday, you can stretch your breakfast egg bites or lunch of egg salad to Thursday, but on Friday, you’re going to need a backup. If, however, you’ve got hardboiled eggs, you’ve got more time. They can be good for up to a week in the fridge.
You’ll also want to be sure you’re storing your eggs properly. First, follow the FDA’s rules regarding hot food and the “Danger Zone.” It’s the temperature range between 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit where bacteria can begin to grow. When you place hot food into a container and add it directly into the fridge, you prolong the amount of time it spends in the danger zone. This increases the chance you could get a foodborne illness.
Let your food cool before storing it in an airtight container. However, don’t let your food sit out for more than two hours. That’s when it’ll likely hit the danger zone. Whether those temperatures happen in the fridge or on the counter, it’s not a good situation.
The next time you’re meal planning for the week, you might want to work in an extra prep day for your egg dishes.
