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Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Go Bad? What You Need To Know!

Quick Answer: Do Hard Boiled Eggs Go Bad? Hard-boiled eggs can go bad, which makes it important to store them properly and eat them within a suitable time. The signs that an unshelled hard-boiled egg has gone bad include a rotten smell or slimy texture. If you notice these signs, don’t risk eating it!

Hard-boiled eggs are healthy and easy to prepare, which is why we love eating them!

This is a quick but complete guide on hard-boiled eggs, including the best way to prepare hard-boiled eggs, how long it takes hard-boiled eggs to go bad, and how to store hard-boiled eggs properly.

With that said, let’s get right into it.

Do Hard Boiled Eggs Go Bad? What You Need To Know!

What Is A Hard-Boiled Egg?

A hard-boiled egg is an egg, still in its shell, that has been boiled until the white part (albumen) and yellow part (yolk) of the egg becomes solid.

This is achieved by boiling an unpeeled raw egg in boiling hot water for 10 to 12 minutes.

Unlike soft-boiled eggs, which keep the egg whites and yellows slightly soft and runny, hard-boiled eggs involve a longer boiling time to make the egg yolk solid.

Whether hard-boiled or soft-boiled is generally a matter of preference!

Are Hard-Boiled Eggs Good For You?

Yes! Eggs, in general, are considered one of the most nutritious foods you can eat.

Eggs, no matter which way they are consumed, offer lots of protein, a low amount of healthy fat, and a good variety of vitamins and minerals, which includes all nine essential amino acids.

As a result, hard-boiled eggs are a simple way to improve your diet.

Low in calories overall, they can be eaten on their own or added to a range of popular foods and dishes, including sandwiches, pasta, casseroles, and salads.

The Best Way To Make Hard-Boiled Eggs

Preparing the perfect hard boiled egg boils down to carefully placing the shelled egg in the water, then leaving it to boil for the correct amount of time.

In general, this is 10 to 12 minutes after the water has been brought to a noticeable boil.

To make sure you don’t underboil or overboil the egg, use a timer or alarm set to the suitable time.

It’s just as important that the egg doesn’t crack when being placed in the water, which you can avoid by easing the egg into the water using the side of the saucepan.

What Do Hardboiled Eggs Taste Like?

Hard-boiled eggs don’t have a strong or distinct taste, but the taste is often described as savory and mildly rich.

The taste of eggs, in general, is mild, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t good to eat on their own!

However, because of their mild taste, hard-boiled eggs are sometimes flavored with salt and pepper. And as for soft-boiled eggs, the taste is largely the same as hard-boiled eggs.

Most also consider the yolk to be the tastier part of the egg.

What Is The Texture Of Hard-Boiled Eggs?

What Is The Texture Of Hard-Boiled Eggs?

Hard boiled eggs have a different texture to soft-boiled eggs, needless to say. Due to the inside being more solid, the texture can be described as dry and crumbly, yet soft.

The outer white part of the egg is different from the yellow part, however, having a smoother texture.

Due to this, the main difference between hard-boiled eggs and soft-boiled eggs is the texture of the yolk – the inner yellow part.

While the texture of the yolk in a soft-boiled egg is runny, the texture of the yolk in a hard-boiled egg is crumbly.

Hard-Boiled Egg Recipes

The subtle taste and soft texture of hard-boiled eggs make them a versatile addition to many popular dishes and recipes.

These include salads, pasta, casseroles, sandwiches, flatbreads, noodles, and more.

Hard-boiled eggs can be sliced as well as crumbled to create a topping. And even on their own, hard-boiled eggs can be served to enjoy as a light snack or starter, such as deviled eggs.

Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Go Bad?

Hard-boiled eggs can go bad over time, so it’s important to store them properly and consume them within a suitable time after cooking!

Signs that a peeled hard egg boiled has gone bad include a rotten smell (or taste) and sometimes a slimy texture.

As for unpeeled hard boiled eggs (still left in the shell), there’s no way of telling whether it has gone bad until the shell has been peeled.

In this case, it’s recommended to consider the number of days that have passed since it was boiled.

How Long Does It Take Hard-Boiled Eggs To Go Bad?

The time it takes a hard-boiled egg to go bad will be shorter if not stored properly. It also depends on whether the hard-boiled egg is left in its shell or not.

In general, unpeeled hard-boiled eggs will last up to one week while peeled hard-boiled eggs will last 3 to 5 days.

How To Store Hard-Boiled Eggs

To prevent hard-boiled eggs from going bad before the usual time, store them in a refrigerator with the shells still on (unpeeled).

It’s also possible to refrigerate peeled hard-boiled eggs, but in this case, it’s recommended to place them inside a sealed container.

Freezing hard-boiled eggs is another storage option, however, this can lead to the outer white part of the egg becoming rubbery.

A better preservation method is to pickle the hard-boiled eggs with the shells removed.

Jess Smith
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