How long can egg salad last in the fridge?
In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long can egg salad last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of egg salad. Moreover, we are going to discuss different ways to spot bad egg salad and tips to properly store egg salad.
So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.
How long can egg salad last in the fridge?
Egg salad lasts for about 3-5 days in the fridge if stored properly at or below 40°F in an air-tight container or plastic zipper bag.
Thus, the cold temperature of the fridge will decrease the rate of bacterial growth and will subsequently prolong the shelf life of your egg salad.
The proper way to store your egg salad in the fridge is to put them in the air-tight container or zip lock bag once you have cooled it thoroughly at room temperature. It is best practice to refrigerate the leftovers of your egg salad within 2 hours after the vegetables are being cooked.
It is worth mentioning that the figures mentioned above are the estimated shelf life of the egg salads.
How long can egg salad last at room temperature?
Egg salad lasts for about 2 hours when kept at room temperature.
You should discard the egg salad that has been left in open for more than 2 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore there are greater chances of the egg salad being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2 hours.
Moreover, if the temperature of the surroundings is about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then the process of spoilage takes place at a faster pace and it is recommended to discard egg salad that is left out in the open for more than an hour at 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the shelf life of egg salad in the freezer?
When it comes to egg salad, then freezing is not a good idea as the hard-boiled eggs can face textural changes after they get thawed. You can notice that your hard-boiled egg has become crumbly and it will have a rubbery texture after it gets thawed. Apart from that if your egg salad has mayonnaise or dairy-based dressing, it will separate.
So all in all it is not a good idea to freeze your egg salad.
What is the optimum temperature to store egg salad?
You should always store your egg salad at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below in the fridge. Bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, therefore it is always advised to store egg salad at a lower temperature to preserve its freshness and quality for a long time.
You can read how to make egg salad here.
Other FAQs about Salad which you may be interested in.
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What happens If you eat expired salad dressing?
Different ways to spot bad egg salad
There are a couple of indicators that point out a bad egg salad. You can tell if your egg salad has gone bad by considering its appearance, texture, and smell.
Appearance
If you spot a mold on your egg salad it is an indication that your egg salad has gone bad and it is better to discard it.
Texture
If you notice that the mayonnaise in your egg salad has separated and even if it remains the same after giving it a whisk, then it is better to discard such egg salad.
Smell
If you notice some off-smell (rotten or putrid smell) or something that does not quite smell like the fresh egg salad then it means that your egg salad has gone bad and you should discard it.
Moreover, it is better to discard the egg salad that more than 5 days old.
Tips to properly store egg salad
- The best way to store egg salad is to store it in an air-tight bag or container in the fridge within 2 hours of it being prepared.
- Always opt for shallow air-tight containers for storing egg salad.
- Always be sure to refrigerate egg salad at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It is recommended to mix the mayonnaise in the egg salad when you are ready to serve it. If you want to store the egg salad then you should store egg salad and vinaigrette separately.
- It is better to store egg salad on one of the shelves of the refrigerator rather than the door as there is a lot of temperature fluctuation at the door of the fridge.
- You should not store the egg salad having vegetables with high water content or lettuce in it in the freezer because after thawing the texture of these vegetables will change and they will become mushy, soggy, and watery once they get thawed.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long can egg salad last in the fridge” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of egg salad. Moreover, we discussed different ways to spot bad egg salad and tips to properly store egg salad.
