Let's ask the chef: how long do fried eggs last?

Heat treatment significantly reduces the permissible shelf life of egg products. The shelf life of fried eggs also has its own characteristics.

Omelette or fried eggs spoil very quickly. Therefore, it is important to know whether they can be stored at all after cooking.

We will tell you further how long and how to properly store fried eggs.

How long can it be stored?

It should be noted right away that it is undesirable to do this. But if necessary, it is still possible, provided that you follow some important recommendations. And also - taking into account factors such as the use of a refrigeration device or storage without it.

Using the refrigerator

It is recommended that any fried eggs remaining after a meal be placed in the refrigerator as quickly as possible. The temperature in a regular refrigerator is 4 - 5°C, which corresponds to the optimal permissible values ​​for storing fried egg products.

Scrambled eggs must be placed in a special compartment for products with a short shelf life. If it is absent, in the coldest place and directly at the back wall of the refrigerator.

At room temperature

Under normal conditions, without the use of a refrigerator (in the absence of one, in the office, on the road), the shelf life of fried eggs is significantly reduced.

Eg:

• a well-fried omelette remains fresh without a refrigeration unit for up to 12 hours;
• if it is a fried egg with a soft yolk, then it cannot be stored at room conditions for more than 6 hours from the moment of preparation;
• These criteria are relevant provided that the dish does not contain dairy products, and the dishes with fried eggs are hermetically sealed.

Scrambled eggs that are not fried well enough without placing the dish in the refrigerator will spoil faster than the time limits indicated above.

Storage Features

In addition to the mentioned nuances that affect the shelf life of scrambled eggs, there are other important factors that contribute to the preservation of the beneficial properties of the product and its safety for health. This:

1. Composition of the finished dish. The presence of milk, vegetables and other perishable products in it significantly reduces its shelf life.
2. Temperature. Storing fried eggs is possible at above-zero temperatures from 2 to 6°C.
3. Moderate humidity. Elevated levels provoke the formation of mold, while low levels cause egg dishes to dry out.

Of no small importance is the packaging of the omelet and fried eggs and the method of storage - in the refrigerator or without it.

What is the best way to keep it?

Storage recommendations are as follows:

1. For any storage method, be sure to cover the finished dish. This will prevent the eggs from drying out, the penetration of excess moisture and foreign odors.
2. The best way is to use container with a tight-fitting lid. Lack of contact with air will significantly extend the shelf life of fried eggs.
3. Containers can be used in plastic or enamel.

How to increase the shelf life of food?

You can store fried eggs for a long time in the freezer. By resorting to freezing fried egg products, it is possible to extend their shelf life to 12 months.

At the same time, while maintaining their suitability for food, fried eggs lose their taste and some properties. Scrambled eggs and omelettes change the taste not for the better.

Dishes after defrosting become:

• too porous;
• or, on the contrary, very dense, as if rubber;
• completely tasteless;
• unappetizing - with the presence of odors of nearby products (meat, fish).

Thaw fried eggs slowly. To do this, it is recommended to place them in the refrigerator for several hours until completely thawed. Do not use a microwave for defrosting! Will tell you about egg freezing this article.

Signs of spoiled scrambled eggs and omelettes

Determining the unsuitability of fried eggs is not difficult. Their depravity is evidenced by expressive signs:

• the brightest of them is an unpleasant rotten smell;
• presence of white, black or green mold fluff;
• the appearance of slippery mucus or cloudy liquid;
• a rotten omelette is characterized by a darker color than usual;
• the scrambled eggs become dry and wrinkled.

Useful tips and tricks

It is possible to prevent the consumption of spoiled fried eggs provided that the permissible shelf life of the finished product is observed. And following simple tips will eliminate the likelihood of harm to health.

Here are some of them:

1. Before cooking fried eggs, check their freshness by dipping the egg in water. The fresh ones will sink to the bottom, the old ones will float to the top.
2. Do not break the eggs into a frying pan, but into separate dishes one at a time. In fresh ones, the yolk will not mix with the white; in old ones, it will blur.
3. If you do not plan to eat the entire omelet or scrambled eggs at once, do not add sour cream, milk, herbs and vegetables to the dish.
4. For storage, use plastic containers, foil, parchment paper or cling film. You cannot place the finished product in a cellophane bag.
5. To extend shelf life, fry eggs until fully cooked. Signs: the white turns from transparent to white, the yolk does not spread.
6. Fried eggs and runny omelettes spoil much faster. At room temperature, such dishes will become hazardous to health literally within 3 hours, in the refrigerator - after 4 hours.
7. Freezing is the longest way to store fried eggs. But it’s better to take them on a picnic in a special insulated bag.
8. Eggs fried in vegetable oil last longer than those cooked with butter.

Conclusion

The quality of fried eggs directly depends on compliance with the acceptable expiration dates. Following the recommendations on the proper storage and consumption of scrambled eggs and omelettes will prevent the risk of severe poisoning, accompanied by intoxication of the body and fraught with serious consequences, including death.