Eggs are one of the most popular breakfast foods in the world and almost every culture consumes eggs. However, eggs are not known for keeping well in the fridge which can lead to excess eggs being thrown away and ending up in landfills. This leaves many looking for a solution and wondering how long do cooked eggs last in the freezer?
Cooked eggs can last up to one year in the freezer before they should be thrown away. If kept in the fridge, eggs will only last three to four days before spoiling.
The rest of this article will teach you about the best ways to freeze different egg dishes and how long each will keep in the freezer and in the fridge.
How Long Do Eggs Last in the Fridge After Being Cooked?
The length of time that eggs last in the fridge after being cooked depends on how the eggs have been cooked. The more exposed the egg is to oxygen, the more quickly it will spoil.
Eggs that are heavily exposed to the air such as fried eggs and scrambled eggs will last roughly three days in the fridge. However, they will dry out during that time and will not be the same texture as when they were first cooked. For this reason, it is best to eat eggs fresh and prepare a fresh batch every day.
To learn more about saving scrambled eggs and the best ways to do so, click here.
Eggs that are prepared with other ingredients, like omelettes, will also last about three days. However, this will depend on the types of ingredients that your dish includes. If the dish includes ingredients that do not keep very well in the fridge, then the dish will likely spoil more quickly. If the dish is prepared with acidic foods like tomatoes, the dish may be able to last a little longer as the acid prevents spoiling.
The egg preparation that lasts the longest is boiled eggs. Since hard-boiled eggs are not as exposed to oxygen as other types in the cooking process they take longer to spoil. On average, boiled eggs will keep in the fridge for about one week. After that, they will begin to spoil and it is best to throw them out to avoid food poisoning.
As you can see, eggs do not last very long in the fridge which means it is best to prepare fresh eggs every time you want to eat them.
If you do not have time to prepare fresh eggs every day and need to prepare them ahead of time the best thing that you can do is cook the eggs and freeze them. This will prevent the eggs from spoiling while making your breakfast prep process easier.
Can You Freeze Raw Scrambled Eggs?
Yes, you can freeze raw scrambled eggs and this is one of the best food preservation strategies for times when you have excess eggs.
If you have chickens, you’ll notice that during the summer months they lay an abundance of eggs, likely more than your family can consume. However, during the winter months, they hardly lay any because of the lack of natural sunlight. To make sure that you have eggs during the winter and aren’t wasting eggs during the summer, it’s important to preserve them.
The easiest way to preserve raw eggs is by scrambling them and then freezing them. However, in order to preserve their texture there are some steps that you should take before actually freezing the eggs.
To freeze the eggs without the thickening of the yolk, you should mix in a small amount of sugar or salt to the scrambled egg mixture. You can use salt for eggs that you plan on using for savoury foods and sugar for eggs intended for sweet dishes.
You should mix in about one teaspoon of sugar or salt per cup of scrambled eggs then you are good to freeze them. After the initial freezing period, you should place the frozen eggs into an airtight bag to prevent freezer burn.
Frozen raw scrambled eggs will keep for about one year after which they should be thrown out.
Once you are ready to eat the eggs you should thaw them in the fridge until they reach a liquid consistency. Once they have reached this consistency, you can cook them normally.
Can Scrambled Eggs Be Frozen Once Cooked?
Just like raw scrambled eggs, cooked scrambled eggs can also be frozen to make them last longer. However, freezing cooked scrambled eggs will affect the texture slightly more than it does when they are frozen raw.
To freeze scrambled eggs you’ll want to cook them regularly with your preferred seasonings, but take them off the heat slightly before you normally would. That way, when you heat them up again after thawing them you can heat them without worrying about overcooking the eggs and turning them rubbery.
Just like with raw eggs, cooked scrambled eggs will last for about a year in the freezer before they should be thrown out.
Once you are ready to eat them you’ll want to take them out of the freezer and place them in the fridge to thaw. Once the eggs are fully thawed you can reheat them in the microwave or stovetop.
How Long Do Omelettes Last in the Fridge?
Just like other forms of cooked eggs, omelettes will last around 3 to 4 days in the fridge. However, this number is only taking the egg ingredients into account. Depending on the ingredients you use to fill your omelette, you may want to consider throwing the omelette out earlier than that.
If you filled your omelette with vegetables that were already near their expiration date you should consider throwing the omelette out as soon as the fillings expire.
Freezing omelettes is also a great option if you’d like to cook your omelettes in large batches. This will allow you to keep the omelettes for several months and be able to thaw and reheat them whenever you want. Just make sure to store them in a bag with all the air squeezed out to prevent the omelettes from getting freezer burn.
Can You Freeze Hard Boiled Eggs?
Although hard-boiled eggs keep very well in the fridge, lasting about twice the time as other egg preparations, they do not keep well in the freezer.
Once hard-boiled eggs have been frozen they tend to become slimy and liquidy, making them unpleasant to eat. There is nothing technically wrong with the eggs, but most people do not like them after they have been frozen.
You may choose to freeze hardboiled egg yolks, but they should not be frozen with their whites or the yolks may become watery and unappetizing.
The best way to keep hard-boiled eggs is in the fridge, just make sure to throw them out after a week to avoid becoming sick from spoiled eggs.
Can You Freeze Cooked Eggs?
Yes, you can freeze cooked eggs. As a matter of fact, one of the best ways to keep eggs is to freeze them. By freezing them, you are able to keep them longer, avoid food waste, and for the most part maintain their texture.
When you freeze cooked eggs you should first make sure to portion them out that way you do not end up with one giant clump of eggs. Once you have portioned the egg out you can lay it on a flat tray to freeze it. Make sure to keep the eggs separated during the initial freezing process to make sure they do not stick together.
Once the egg has solidified you should place the pieces of egg into freezer-safe bags. After all the egg is in the bag you’ll want to squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible to prevent freezer burn.
When you are ready to eat the eggs you’ll want to thaw them in the fridge and then reheat them once they are fully thawed. You can reheat them in a microwave, but you will have the best results if you reheat the eggs on a stovetop.
Can You Freeze Egg Salad?
Technically, you can freeze egg salad. However, it is not recommended as it will change the texture and cause the egg salad to become watery.
You are better off only preparing as much egg salad as you can eat in the short period of time that it will stay good in the fridge.
Conclusion
Eggs are a nutritious food that can be eaten at every meal however, they do not always keep well in the fridge once cooked.
Freezing the eggs allows you to keep the eggs fresh longer and reduce food waste. The way that you freeze your eggs will depend on the way the egg was cooked and what other ingredients are incorporated.
On average, frozen eggs will stay fresh for approximately one year. After this time they should be thrown away. If the eggs have other ingredients mixed into them you’ll want to use caution and make sure that the ingredients also keep well in the freezer before freezing them.
