Can I eat my expired eggs?

If you’ve ever found yourself staring curiously at that carton of organic eggs in the back of your fridge as you ask yourself this question, you’re not alone. Inquiries about the date on our cartons and how long eggs remain good after their expiration date arrive in our inbox daily. So, we thought we’d take a moment to clear up any confusion about what to do with that forgotten carton now past its prime.

How to tell if an egg is still good

Like all fresh foods, eggs don't last forever. But thanks to their shells, they're rather resilient. Even though the mandated USDA washing and processing of eggs actually reduces their oxygen barrier, and thus shortens their freshness cycle, they still come with a relatively robust time allowance: eggs can be consumed 45 days from the time of processing (which is usually just a few days after being laid).

How long are eggs good after their expiration date?

When trying to determine if the eggs in your carton are safe to eat, the best course of action is to consult the best by date. At Pete & Gerry's, we print a best by date alongside a few other pieces of information that will help you determine whether the eggs are still okay to eat. You can find a full explanation of this information in our Egg Safety Tips, but the most important thing to remember is that eggs should be eaten on or before their best by date.

Unless you’ve taken measures to extend the shelf life of your eggs, the expiration date is the most reliable indication of how long eggs can be consumed safely. Once a carton has passed its best by date, or 45 days from being processed, those eggs are considered expired and we’re unable to guarantee any safety or results from consuming them.

The water test for egg freshness

Though we can’t recommend eating our eggs past their best by date, we understand that expired eggs do happen from time to time. If the eggs in your carton have recently passed their best by date, or if you're unsure of the date, the water test is a great option. Here’s how to tell if eggs are good in water:

• Fill a Bowl or Glass with Water: First, you’ll want to fill a bowl or glass with about four inches of cold water and gently place your egg(s) inside.
• Observe the Egg's Behavior: Observe whether your eggs sink to the bottom or stays afloat in water. Very fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lay on their sides. If an egg stays at the bottom but stands on its small end, it's still fine to eat; just not quite as fresh. These "more mature" eggs are no less nutritious than a fresher egg, and most people are unlikely to notice a difference in taste. These older eggs also come with a few bonuses: they'll peel easily without sticking to the white when hard-boiled, and the egg whites are easier to whip into meringue when making desserts.

• Discard Floating Eggs: Once enough oxygen has had time to permeate the shell, it forms an air pocket large enough to keep the egg afloat in water. Any eggs that float to the surface of the water are too old to eat and should be discarded.

Storage tips to extend egg freshness

Proper storage can significantly extend the freshness of your eggs. Here are some egg storage tips:

• Refrigerate Immediately: Store eggs in the refrigerator as soon as you bring them home. The ideal temperature is below 40°F (4°C).
• Keep in Original Carton: Store eggs in their original carton to protect them from absorbing strong odors and flavors from other foods in the fridge.
• Avoid the Door: Store eggs on a shelf inside the fridge rather than the door, where temperatures can fluctuate.
• Freeze for Long-Term Storage: If you have more eggs than you can use, consider freezing them. Crack the eggs into a freezer-safe container, beat until blended, and store in the freezer for up to a year.