How long can you keep peeled hard-boiled eggs?
This article will answer the question “How long can you keep peeled hard-boiled eggs?”, and how to store hard-boiled eggs in the fridge and freezer?
How long can you keep peeled hard-boiled eggs?
Peeled or unpeeled, hard-boiled eggs should not sit for more than 2 hours outside the fridge. If the temperature is above 90℉, hard-boiled eggs last only 1 hour outside the fridge.
The best practice is to toss the boiled eggs in ice-cold water and refrigerate them within 2 hours if they are not to be consumed right away. Well stored hard-boiled eggs can be used to make sandwiches, deviled eggs, or added to your salad bowls for a protein boost.
How to refrigerate hard-boiled eggs?
Though it is preferable to not peel the eggs if they are not to be consumed within hours of cooking, it is safe to store peeled hard-boiled eggs for later use. There are two ways you can do that:
- Keep the eggs in a bowl of cold water and put the bowl in the fridge. Cover the bowl and change the water daily. It will be good for about a week.
- Keep the eggs in an air-tight container. To retain moisture, keep some damp water towels on top of the eggs and secure the container with a tight lid. The eggs will preserve their freshness for a week.
How to store hard-boiled eggs in the freezer?
You can also freeze store your peeled hard-boiled eggs. It is important to note that storing the peeled eggs as a whole will damage the texture of the eggs considerably when thawed. The eggs will lose their moisture and freshness and become rubbery.
To overcome this problem, it is recommended to freeze the boiled eggs and yolks separately. Just crack open an egg, separate the egg white and yolk. Carefully place the yolk and the egg in boiling water just like the poached eggs are made.
When boiled completely, remove carefully from the water and store for up to a year in the freezer bag. Squeeze out the air from the bag.
How to make the perfect hard-boiled eggs?
Follow the instructions below to make the perfect hard-boiled eggs each time without cracks or rough peel.
- Add water in a saucepan or pot. There should be enough water to submerge the eggs completely. The eggs should be covered by an extra 2 inches of water above.
- Gently place the egg/s into the boiling water using a spoon.
- Lower the heat and simmer the eggs for 11 minutes for a perfect hard-boiled yolk.
- When the timer reads 11 minutes, remove thee gg/s using a spoon or a ladle and either keep the egg/s in an ice bath for 5 minutes or place them under cold running water.
- Store in the fridge or freezer and enjoy.
How to pickle hard-boiled eggs?
Pickling hard-boiled eggs are the best way to preserve their freshness. The drill is to preserve the hard-boiled eggs in a vinegar solution with cloves and your favorite vegetables, herbs, and spices.
Adding beet to your pickled egg makes the pickle very visually appealing due to its pretty pink color. Add cloves, cooked onions, dill, or any other vegetable you like. Add jalapenos for a tangy hint. Use after 2-3 days of refrigeration.
The science behind boiled eggs?
An egg is a rich source of protein. A large egg has approximately 628g protein, 3.6g of which constitutes the egg white.
The building block of proteins is amino acids which are held together by weak bonds. These covalent bonds are weak enough to be broken by the heat that is provided during boiling.
The heat breaks these weak bonds and stimulates the amino acids to make stronger bonds simultaneously.
During this process, water is expelled through the egg resulting in the solidification and denaturation of the protein. Proteins in an egg pass through the following stages during boiling.
You can even reheat hard-boiled eggs.
| At 130-140°F | Egg proteins start to unfold |
| At 140°F | Ovotransferrin turns the egg white into a gelatinous matrix as a result of bonding with itself. |
| At 155°F | Ovotransferrin is moist but solid |
| At 180°F | Ovalbumin makes the egg white firm due to cross bonding |
| Above 180°F | Proteins lose water slowly. As a result of dehydration, the egg white develops a dry a rubbery texture and starts to give off a foul Hydrogen sulfide smell. |
Other FAQs about Eggs that you may be interested in.
How long do eggs last at room temperature?
How long do hard-boiled eggs last outside the fridge?
Can you make scrambled eggs without milk?
Conclusion
This article answered the question “How long can you keep peeled hard-boiled eggs?”, and how to store hard-boiled eggs in the fridge and freezer?
