Is It Safe To Eat Leftover Eggs?

Eggs are undoubtedly one of the greatest staples we keep in our refrigerators — unless, of course, you live in the United Kingdom or anywhere in Europe where eggs aren't refrigerated. In fact, American eggs would be illegal in the UK. But regardless of where you live, the National Library of Medicine states that eggs are an economical food that can provide the required protein for a healthy diet. Per Nutrionx, a single large egg has just 72 calories and about 5 grams of fat. 

But eggs are also quite versatile. You can have them scrambled or fried. Whip them up into a French herb omelet, add your favorite veggies and cheese, and have a delightful late-night meal or early morning breakfast. Cook your eggs up into a casserole to feed a crowd or poach them for a little something extra on your toast. However you decide to have them, you can't really go wrong with eggs. But what if you make too much of your favorite egg dish? It happens to the best of us. Sometimes our eyes are bigger than our stomachs, and we wind up with a Ziplock bag full of cooked eggs. How long do they last as leftovers?

We know that tossing uneaten food in the trash or down the drain is a common practice. RTS notes that Americans waste 80 billion pounds of food every year or more than $218 billion worth of groceries. But you do not need to make your leftover eggs part of those stats. According to the Food & Drug Administration, your leftover eggs will last. That is, of course, if you store them properly. 

You won't have to waste them as long as you store them in the refrigerator and heat them to 165 degrees Fahrenheit when you are ready to enjoy them. If you don't currently have a food thermometer to test the temperature of your eggs, it may be a good idea to purchase one. The FDA further explains that you do not want to leave your cooked eggs at room temperature for longer than 2 hours or a single hour if it's a hot day and your kitchen heats up to 90 degrees or more. Just make sure to check their appearance before eating them. If they are discolored or have a strong odor, Allrecipes suggests simply throwing them out. The site also says that hard-boiled eggs will last up to one week in the fridge. 

So, the next time you find yourself with a plate of leftover eggs, place them in an airtight container or plastic bag and save them for another meal.  Your wallet will thank you.