How long do eggs last?

Checked 24 Oct 20268 official publishers, 14 sources

Raw, in shell: 3 weeks in the fridge for best quality and freezing is not recommended.

Official stance

“Fresh eggs, even those with clean, uncracked shells, may contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause foodborne illness” FDA

Storage times for eggs by state and place
State	Counter / pantry	Fridge 40 °F	Freezer 0 °F
Raw, in shell	2 hours max CDC	3 weeks best quality FDA Sources disagree: 4 weeks; 3-5 weeks Extension FDA FoodKeeper Extension	Not recommended FoodKeeper Extension FDA FDA Extension
Raw yolks or whites, out of shell	2 hours max CDC	2-4 days safety FDA FoodKeeper Extension	12 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension FDA FDA Extension
Liquid eggs or substitute, unopened	2 hours max CDC	7 days FoodKeeper Sources disagree: 10 days FDA Extension	Not recommended FoodKeeper Sources disagree: 1 year Extension FDA Extension
Liquid eggs or substitute, opened	2 hours max CDC	3 days safety FDA FoodKeeper Extension	Not recommended Extension FDA Extension
Dried	26 months Extension	Not stated	Not stated
Cooked egg dishes	2 hours max CDC	3-4 days FoodKeeper FDA	2-3 months best quality FoodKeeper

Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

Source	State	Counter / pantry	Fridge	Freezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Raw, in shell	-	3-5 weeks	Not recommended
Nebraska Extension	Raw, in shell	Not recommended	3-5 weeks	Not recommended
FDA 2018	Raw, in shell	-	3-5 weeks	Not recommended
FDA 2024	Raw, in shell	-	3 weeks	Not recommended
Utah State University Extension	Raw, in shell	-	4 weeks	-
University of Illinois Extension	Raw, in shell	-	-	Not recommended
CDC 2025	Raw, in shell	2 hours	-	-
Nebraska Extension	Raw yolks or whites, out of shell	Not recommended	2-4 days	1 year
FDA 2018	Raw yolks or whites, out of shell	-	2-4 days	1 year
FDA 2024	Raw yolks or whites, out of shell	-	-	1 year
University of Illinois Extension	Raw yolks or whites, out of shell	-	-	12 months
CDC 2025	Raw yolks or whites, out of shell	2 hours	-	-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Raw yolks or whites, out of shell	-	2-4 days	12 months
Nebraska Extension	Liquid eggs or substitute, unopened	Not recommended	10 days	1 year
FDA 2018	Liquid eggs or substitute, unopened	-	10 days	1 year
University of Illinois Extension	Liquid eggs or substitute, unopened	-	-	12 months
CDC 2025	Liquid eggs or substitute, unopened	2 hours	-	-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Liquid eggs or substitute, unopened	-	7 days	Not recommended
Nebraska Extension	Liquid eggs or substitute, opened	Not recommended	3 days	Not recommended
FDA 2018	Liquid eggs or substitute, opened	-	3 days	Not recommended
University of Illinois Extension	Liquid eggs or substitute, opened	-	-	Not recommended
CDC 2025	Liquid eggs or substitute, opened	2 hours	-	-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Liquid eggs or substitute, opened	-	3 days	-
Utah State University Extension	Dried	26 months	-	-
FDA 2024	Cooked egg dishes	-	3-4 days	-
CDC 2025	Cooked egg dishes	2 hours	-	-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Cooked egg dishes	-	3-4 days	2-3 months

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

Freezing guidance applies to egg dishes after baking. FoodKeeper
“Store eggs in their carton in the refrigerator itself rather than on the door, where the temperature is warmer.” FDA
“Buy eggs only if sold from a refrigerator or refrigerated case.” FDA
“Open the carton and make sure that the eggs are clean and the shells are not cracked.” FDA
“When refrigerating a large amount of a hot egg-containing leftover, divide it into several shallow containers so it will cool quickly.” FDA
“To freeze whole eggs, beat yolks and whites together. Egg whites can also be frozen by themselves.” FDA
“eggs are kept in the refrigerator, they can safely be cooked and eaten for up to 5 weeks after the date stamped on the carton.” Extension
“If you receive eggs that aren't in the original carton, plan to keep them refrigerated and use them within 2 weeks.” Extension
“Eggs can be stored for at least 1 month, covered in the refrigerator. Freezing is often unnecessary, but it can be done.” Extension
“Thoroughly mix yolks and whites. Do not whip in air.” Extension
“To prevent graininess, add 1 Tablespoon of sugar or ½ teaspoon salt per one cup of egg mixture.” Extension
“Butter, Eggs, Milk and Cheese - Place the frozen product in the refrigerator to thaw. After thawing, it can be used as fresh.” Extension

What the sources say

For raw eggs in the shell, FoodKeeper, the FDA storage chart and the Nebraska Extension chart all give 3 to 5 weeks in the fridge, counted in FoodKeeper from the date of purchase.¹³²

The FDA egg safety page is stricter when it comes to best quality: it says to keep eggs in their original carton and use them within 3 weeks.⁴

Utah State University Extension lists 4 weeks for fresh eggs in the original package at 38 to 40 °F.⁵

The University of Wisconsin-Extension adds that eggs kept in the refrigerator can safely be cooked and eaten for up to 5 weeks after the date stamped on the carton, and that eggs received outside the original carton should be used within 2 weeks.¹²

FoodKeeper, the FDA, Nebraska Extension and the University of Illinois Extension all advise against freezing eggs in the shell.¹³⁴²⁶

To freeze eggs, the FDA and the Nebraska chart say to beat the yolks and whites together first, and the University of Illinois Extension says to crack them and mix the yolks with the whites.⁴²⁶

Raw yolks and whites out of the shell keep 2 to 4 days in the fridge in FoodKeeper, the FDA chart and the Nebraska chart, and those three agree on a year in the freezer, the same 12 months the University of Illinois Extension gives for whole eggs out of the shell.⁸³²⁶

To prevent graininess in frozen mixed eggs, the University of Illinois Extension suggests adding 1 tablespoon of sugar or ½ teaspoon of salt per cup of egg mixture.⁶

The National Center for Home Food Preservation notes that eggs keep at least 1 month covered in the refrigerator and that freezing is often unnecessary, though it can be done; for whole eggs it says to mix yolks and whites thoroughly without whipping in air.¹³

Liquid pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes keep 10 days unopened and 3 days opened in the fridge on the FDA and Nebraska charts, while FoodKeeper gives liquid egg substitutes 7 days from purchase and 3 days after opening.³²⁹

Unopened, the FDA, Nebraska and Illinois charts allow a year in the freezer and say not to freeze an opened carton, while FoodKeeper lists freezing liquid egg substitutes as not recommended.³²⁶⁹

Utah State University Extension lists dried eggs at 26 months in the original package in a cool basement at 70 °F.⁵

Cooked egg dishes keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge in both FoodKeeper and the FDA egg safety page, and FoodKeeper gives 2 to 3 months in the freezer for egg dishes after baking.¹⁰⁴

The FDA suggests dividing a large amount of a hot egg-containing leftover into several shallow containers so it cools quickly.⁴

It also advises storing eggs in their carton in the refrigerator itself rather than on the door, where the temperature is warmer.¹¹

When buying, the FDA says to choose eggs sold from a refrigerated case and to check that they are clean and the shells are not cracked.⁴

The Nebraska chart marks raw eggs, raw yolks and whites, and liquid eggs as not safe at room temperature.²

The FDA notes that fresh eggs, even those with clean, uncracked shells, may contain Salmonella bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.⁴

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour rule Freezing and refreezing Thawing safely Fridge and freezer temperature Best-by and use-by dates

Hard boiled eggs Milk Butter

Sources

USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 21: Eggs, in shell. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Eggs, in shell. DOP_Refrigerate: 3-5 Weeks; Freeze: Not Recommended
Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Eggs, raw in shell Not safe 3 to 5 weeks Do not freeze in shell.Raw egg yolks, whites Not safe 2 to 4 days 1 yearLiquid pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes (unopened) Not safe 10 days 1 yearLiquid pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes (opened) Not safe 3 days Do not freeze
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Fresh, in shell 3 - 5 weeks Don't freezeRaw yolks, whites ... 2 - 4 daysRaw yolks, whites ... 2 - 4 days ... 1 yearLiquid pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes, opened unopened 3 days 10 daysLiquid pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes, opened unopened 3 days 10 days Don't freeze 1 yearLiquid pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes, opened unopened 3 daysLiquid pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes, opened unopened 3 days 10 days Don't freeze
What You Need to Know About Egg Safety | FDA. FDA. Dated 2024-03-05. Checked 2026-10-24. Store eggs in their original carton and use them within 3 weeks for best quality.Eggs should not be frozen in their shells.Use frozen eggs within 1 year.Refrigerate leftover cooked egg dishes and use within 3 to 4 days.Buy eggs only if sold from a refrigerator or refrigerated case.Open the carton and make sure that the eggs are clean and the shells are not cracked.When refrigerating a large amount of a hot egg-containing leftover, divide it into several shallow containers so it will cool quickly.To freeze whole eggs, beat yolks and whites together. Egg whites can also be frozen by themselves.Fresh eggs, even those with clean, uncracked shells, may contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause foodborne illness
Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Eggs fresh original package 38-40°F refrigerator 4 weeksEggs dried original package 70°F cool basement 26 months
Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Eggs in the Shell Do not freeze.Whole Eggs Out of the Shell 12 monthsEgg Substitutes (unopened) 12 months If opened, do not freeze.To prevent graininess, add 1 Tablespoon of sugar or ½ teaspoon salt per one cup of egg mixture.
Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 22: Eggs, raw whites, yolks. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Eggs, raw whites, yolks. Refrigerate: 2-4 Days; Freeze: 12 Months
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 17: Egg substitutes, liquid. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Egg substitutes, liquid. DOP_Refrigerate: 7 Days; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 3 Days; Freeze: Not Recommended
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 24: Egg dishes. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Egg dishes. Refrigerate: 3-4 Days; Freeze: 2-3 Months (Freezing guidance applies to egg dishes after baking.)
Are You Storing Food Safely? | FDA. FDA. Dated 2023-01-18. Checked 2026-10-24. Store eggs in their carton in the refrigerator itself rather than on the door, where the temperature is warmer.
Safe and Healthy: Food Product Dating. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. eggs are kept in the refrigerator, they can safely be cooked and eaten for up to 5 weeks after the date stamped on the carton.If you receive eggs that aren't in the original carton, plan to keep them refrigerated and use them within 2 weeks.
Freezing Eggs - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Eggs can be stored for at least 1 month, covered in the refrigerator. Freezing is often unnecessary, but it can be done.Thoroughly mix yolks and whites. Do not whip in air.
Thawing and Preparing Foods for Serving - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Butter, Eggs, Milk and Cheese - Place the frozen product in the refrigerator to thaw. After thawing, it can be used as fresh.