How Long Should Pickled Eggs Usually Last? (2024)

stacie adams

·3 min read

Pickling is an ancient preservation method that infuses food with so much flavor. Take pickled eggs, for instance, which is a protein-rich snack that lots of people can't get enough of. Although they're relatively easy to prepare at home, pickled eggs can also be conveniently purchased from just about any grocery store. While recipes can vary from brand to brand, store-bought pickled eggsare often submerged in pickling solutions consisting of ingredients like beet juice, vinegar, water, and sugar. Commercial pickled eggs can also contain sodium benzoate, which is a common preservative that keeps food stable on store shelves.

In general, all pickled eggs can last up to four months in the refrigeratorbefore experiencing decreased quality. Keep in mind that eggs may be safe to eat after that time, but they're not likely to be as tasty as when you first bought them. Also, store-bought eggs typically come with a best-by or use-by date determined by the manufacturer. It's always a good idea to follow that and other guidelines on the label to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Read more: 11 Of The Best Cooking Tips From Bobby Flay

What About Homemade Pickled Eggs?

How Long Should Pickled Eggs Usually Last? (2)

If you're inspired to experiment with a pickled eggs recipe at home, there are some essential guidelines to consider before getting started. Like commercial brands, homemade pickled eggs usually have a maximum four-month lifespanwhen refrigerated appropriately. However, using the right pickling technique is essential to ensure your eggs will keep well for as long as possible.

Hard-boiled eggs are pickled using a vinegar solution, which is boiled to prevent the presence of harmful bacteria. Eggs are deposited into sterile jars, to which the vinegar solution is added. The eggs in the jar must be fully immersed in the vinegar solution, or you run the risk of bacterial growth. That means you must be mindful of how many eggs you add to the jars. If you're using a quart-sized jar, it should be able to accommodate 12 small to medium-sized eggs. After pouring in the solution, the sealed jars containing your eggs must be transferred to the refrigerator without delay. In fact, refrigeration is a key factor in the lifespan of pickled eggs.

Why Storing Pickled Eggs In The Refrigerator Is So Crucial

How Long Should Pickled Eggs Usually Last? (3)

Whether you buy pickled eggs at your local grocery store or make them yourself, refrigerator storage is a must. Leaving eggs exposed to room temperatures can greatly increase the risk of foodborne illness, especially if two or more hours elapse. Accordingly, the only time pickled eggs should be removed from the cold confines of the fridge is when you're eating them or using them in recipes.

While proper storage is important for all types of pickled eggs, it's particularly crucial when it comes to homemade varieties. Consider that leaving pickled eggs in room temperature conditions resulted in a case of foodborne botulism, as reported by the CDC. After eating the homemade eggs, a person developed significant nausea and stomach pain. The incident even led to hospitalization, at which point the link between the homemade pickled eggs and the illness was discovered. While the person was able to make a full recovery, this experience highlights the importance of storing pickled eggs properly. With these helpful tips, you can avoid major pickled egg mistakes to ensure a safe and delicious snack.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

How Long Should Pickled Eggs Usually Last? (2024)

FAQs

How Long Should Pickled Eggs Usually Last? ›

Pickled eggs MUST be always stored in the refrigerator. The pickling solution must completely cover all hard-boiled eggs

hard-boiled eggs
Boiled eggs are eggs, typically from a chicken, cooked with their shells unbroken, usually by immersion in boiling water. Hard-boiled eggs are cooked so that the egg white and egg yolk both solidify, while soft-boiled eggs may leave the yolk, and sometimes the white, at least partially liquid and raw.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Boiled_egg
. Once eggs have been combined with a pickling solution, a period of 1 to 3 weeks is required for seasoning to fully penetrate the eggs. Use pickled eggs within 3 to 4 months for best quality.

How long will homemade pickled eggs last? ›

Keep them refrigerated at all times. If small eggs are used, 1 to 2 weeks are usually allowed for seasoning to occur. Medium or large eggs may require 2 to 4 weeks to become well seasoned. Use the eggs within 3 to 4 months for best quality.

Can you eat 2 year old pickled eggs? ›

In general, all pickled eggs can last up to four months in the refrigerator before experiencing decreased quality. Keep in mind that eggs may be safe to eat after that time, but they're not likely to be as tasty as when you first bought them.

How to know if pickled eggs are bad? ›

If pickled eggs develop a slimy texture, present an off odor or foul smell, or show any signs of discoloration such as unusual color, they should not be consumed. The presence of mold or bubbles can also indicate that the eggs have gone bad.

How to can pickled eggs for long term storage? ›

Place eggs in cold water, remove shells and pack into sterilized jars. In a pot, combine vinegar, sugar and spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and boil gently 5 minutes. Pour hot liquid over hard-cooked eggs and cover jars with clean two piece metal SNAP Lid closures® or storage lids.

Do eggs in vinegar go bad? ›

Kept in the pickling solution in the fridge with a tight lid, they are good for 3-4 months. That means if we start pickling eggs now, when the girls start slacking off this summer, we can still enjoy eggs! And I did freeze A LOT of eggs, too.

Are pickled eggs unhealthy? ›

Heavy metals in the eggs, especially the lead oxide once used in preserved eggs, pose a health risk to consumers, while the residual heavy metals in the pickling liquid can harm the environment if not properly disposed.

How many pickled eggs can you eat a day? ›

How many pickled eggs should (can) I eat a day? So, we did some more digging, and found that eating one egg a day wasn't going to kill you; in fact, it may actually REDUCE heart disease. Other studies have shown no ill effects on people who have consumed up to 12 eggs a week!

Why do my pickled eggs taste rubbery? ›

And If the eggs sit in that liquid too long, you get rubbery eggs. There's a simple enough way to avoid this problem. You want the pickling liquid to do its job in the beginning, and then after the eggs have reached the proper degree of pickling, you can dilute the solution with some water.

Why did my pickled eggs go mushy? ›

Not cooking your eggs enough

Much of a pickled egg's appeal comes from the solidity of the hard egg yolk playing against the sharpness of the vinegar, sugar, salt, and pickling spices. If your egg yolk is still runny, though, the egg will fall apart into a vinegary, gooey disaster.

What is the longest way to preserve eggs? ›

Though properly handled farm-fresh eggs last quite a while on the shelf, they won't last indefinitely (or anywhere near a year), this is why water-glassed eggs have become our preferred egg preservation method. Not only will they last up to 18 months, but they taste just like a fresh egg with a near identical texture.

Is canning pickled eggs safe? ›

While you may see home-canned pickled eggs for purchase, it is actually not safe to can pickled eggs at home. In fact, home-pickled eggs stored at room temperature were linked to a case of botulism — so just imagine long term shelf storage of canned pickled eggs!

Where should I store pickled eggs? ›

Put the boiled eggs in a sterilised jar where they all fit, about 1 litre, and pour over the cooled pickling liquid to cover. Seal and leave in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks, or up to three months. Once opened, keep in the fridge and eat within two weeks.

How long will hard-boiled eggs keep in pickle juice? ›

Pickled eggs will keep for one month in the refrigerator. To make your own pickling spice mixture, use 1 tsp (5 mL) peppercorns, 10 whole cloves, 1 bay leaf and 2 dried whole chili peppers. For a quick method of pickling eggs, place hard boiled eggs in pickle or pickled beet juice.

How long can you keep pickled eggs and beets in the fridge? ›

Beet-pickled eggs last up to four months in the refrigerator, but we recommend enjoying them within two weeks for best quality.

How do you keep pickled eggs from getting rubbery? ›

And If the eggs sit in that liquid too long, you get rubbery eggs. There's a simple enough way to avoid this problem. You want the pickling liquid to do its job in the beginning, and then after the eggs have reached the proper degree of pickling, you can dilute the solution with some water.

Are pickled eggs good for your gut? ›

Pickled Eggs are Good for Your Gut Health. First off, did you know that pickled eggs are good for your digestive health? A serving of fermented pickled eggs will usually contain various types of gut flora that can aid in digestion. These microbes are known as probiotics!

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