What are soft boiled eggs?
Soft boiled eggs are eggs that have been boiled in water for a short amount of time, typically 3-5 minutes. This cooking method results in a soft, runny yolk while the egg white remains softly set. Soft boiled eggs make for a delicious snack or simple protein packed breakfast. The soft creamy yolk has a rich flavor that soft boiled egg lovers can’t get enough of.
Can you refrigerate soft boiled eggs?
Yes, you can refrigerate soft boiled eggs. In fact, for food safety it’s recommended to refrigerate soft boiled eggs if you don’t plan to eat them right away. Soft boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Here are some tips for properly refrigerating soft boiled eggs:
Cool the eggs first
Don’t put freshly boiled hot eggs straight into the refrigerator. Allow the soft boiled eggs to come down to room temperature first, about 30 minutes. Putting hot food directly into the fridge can raise the temperature inside and put other foods at risk.
Store in an airtight container
Place cooled soft boiled eggs in an airtight container before refrigerating. Tupperware or any container with a well sealing lid works great. The airtight seal helps prevent fridge odors from seeping into the eggs.
Use within a week
For best quality and safety, eat refrigerated soft boiled eggs within one week. Over time, the whites may become rubbery and the yolks less creamy.
Can you freeze soft boiled eggs?
Freezing soft boiled eggs is not recommended. The texture and quality of soft boiled eggs deteriorates significantly when frozen. The whites become tough and the yolks become grainy.
Instead of freezing, cook only the number of soft boiled eggs you’ll consume within a week. Properly stored in the refrigerator, they will maintain good quality for 7 days.
What happens if you refrigerate soft boiled eggs too long?
While refrigerating extends the shelf life, soft boiled eggs held for too long in the fridge can start to decline in quality:
Rubbery egg whites
The whites will gradually lose moisture and become rubbery in texture. This affects the signature soft, silky quality.
Gritty egg yolks
The creamy yolk can start to become grainy or take on a gritty texture when stored too long.
Weakened egg flavor
Over time, the rich eggy taste diminishes. The yolk flavor will become more bland rather than rich and creamy.
Increased susceptibility to spoilage
Extended refrigeration makes soft boiled eggs more prone to spoiling from bacterial growth. Signs include foul odors, sliminess, or discoloration.
For best flavor and food safety, consume refrigerated soft boiled eggs within 5 days. Discard any eggs that smell bad or appear slimy.
How to tell if refrigerated soft boiled eggs are bad?
Here are signs that refrigerated soft boiled eggs have gone bad and should be discarded:
Unpleasant odors
Refrigerated eggs that give off a foul, sulfurous odor are spoiled and unsafe to eat. A bad egg scent is unmistakable.
Discoloration
The egg white or yolk turning pink, blue, green or another unnatural shade indicates microbial growth. MoldVisible sliminess, clumping or mold on the egg exterior is a clear giveaway of spoilage.
Watery egg whites
If the egg white becomes watery or spreads out flat on a plate, this signals the proteins have broken down. Only consume egg whites that hold their shape.
Extremely runny yolk
While a creamy liquid yolk is desired, if it appears extremely thin and spreads easily, spoilage may be the cause.
Trust your senses – if a soft boiled egg smells, looks or feels bad, err on the side of caution and throw it away.
How long do soft boiled eggs last unrefrigerated?
Soft boiled eggs should always be refrigerated if not eating immediately. At room temperature, harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly. Soft boiled eggs left unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours should be discarded. Leaving them out overnight is unsafe.
Here’s a general timeline for how long soft boiled eggs sit at room temperature:
1-2 hours
Generally safe to consume if eggs were freshly cooked to a safe temperature. Use caution and inspect closely.
3-4 hours
At increased risk for bacterial growth. It’s best to throw out soft boiled eggs left out this long.
Over 4 hours
Highly prone to spoilage. Discard soft boiled eggs if left unrefrigerated for more than 4 hours. The risk of food poisoning increases exponentially.
Storing soft boiled eggs on the counter overnight should always be avoided. Refrigerate within 1-2 hours for optimal food safety.
Can you freeze leftover soft boiled eggs?
Leftover soft boiled eggs should not be frozen. Freezing cooked eggs ruins their texture, especially soft boiled eggs where the cook time is so short. The frozen yolk becomes unpleasantly grainy and the whites turn thick and rubbery.
Instead of freezing, properly store leftover soft boiled eggs in the fridge in an airtight container up to one week. You can also use leftover soft boiled eggs to make egg salad or slice over a salad or avocado toast.
Avoid wasting leftovers by only cooking as many soft boiled eggs as you plan to eat within a few days. Freeze raw eggs in the shell for later use instead of cooked soft boiled eggs.
How long do refrigerated soft boiled eggs last?
Properly stored, soft boiled eggs can last up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Keep them refrigerated in an airtight container and use within a week for the best quality.
Here is a breakdown of how long soft boiled eggs last in the fridge:
1-2 days
Best quality. The eggs will taste freshly cooked.
3-5 days
Good quality. Some decline in flavor and slight watering of the whites may be noticeable.
6-7 days
Still safe but decreased quality. Noticeable decline in flavor, watery whites, and grainy yolk texture.
Over 7 days
Not recommended. At increased risk of spoilage. Discard any eggs over a week old.
Always inspect refrigerated soft boiled eggs prior to eating and throw out any with an off appearance, odor or slimy texture. When in doubt, play it safe and toss eggs that are over a week old.
How to make soft boiled eggs last longer?
You can extend the shelf life of soft boiled eggs by up to a week by:
Cooking to a safe temperature
Ensure eggs reach an internal temperature of 160°F during boiling to destroy bacteria. Use a food thermometer to check.
Cooling properly
Don’t refrigerate eggs until fully cooled to room temperature to prevent temperature fluctuations.
Storing in an airtight container
A sealed Tupperware or plastic container prevents fridge odors from permeating the eggs.
Keeping refrigerated temperature below 40°F
Store soft boiled eggs in the coldest part of the fridge, avoiding the door where temps fluctuate.
Consuming within 5 days
For optimal freshness and safety, eat the eggs within a week of refrigeration.
Checking for signs of spoilage
Inspect eggs prior to eating and immediately discard any with an off appearance, smell or slimy texture.
Following proper storage and food safety practices allows soft boiled eggs to keep for 5-7 days refrigerated.
5 tips for refrigerating soft boiled eggs
Here are 5 top tips for keeping soft boiled eggs safe and delicious in the refrigerator:
1. Let eggs cool before refrigerating
Don’t put freshly boiled hot eggs straight in the fridge. Allow them to come to room temperature first.
2. Store in an airtight container
Keep soft boiled eggs in a tightly sealed Tupperware or storage container.
3. Refrigerate within 2 hours
Refrigerate soft boiled eggs within 1-2 hours of cooking for food safety.
4. Use within 5 days
For best quality and freshness, consume refrigerated soft boiled eggs within a week.
5. Check for signs of spoilage
Inspect eggs and discard any with an unpleasant odor, weird color or slimy texture.
Common questions about refrigerating soft boiled eggs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about storing soft boiled eggs in the refrigerator:
How do you keep soft boiled eggs from turning rubbery in the fridge?
Storing in an airtight container helps retain moisture and prevent the whites from drying out. Eat within 5 days before the texture declines.
Why do my refrigerated soft boiled eggs smell bad?
Unpleasant sulfur odors indicate the egg has spoiled and should be thrown out. Discard any smelly eggs.
Can I eat soft boiled eggs that were left out overnight?
No, soft boiled eggs left at room temperature overnight should always be discarded for safety. Do not eat them.
How can you tell if refrigerated soft boiled eggs are spoiled?
Signs of spoiled eggs include foul odors, slimy texture, discoloration, watery whites, or extremely runny yolks. When in doubt, throw it out.
Do soft boiled eggs need to be covered in the fridge?
Yes, cover them in an airtight container or sealed bag. Uncovered, they will dry out and absorb odors.
Nutrition facts for soft boiled eggs
Here is the nutrition breakdown for a typical large soft boiled egg (50 grams):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 55 |
| Fat | 4g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Carbs | 0.6g |
| Cholesterol | 186mg |
| Sodium | 62mg |
| Potassium | 63mg |
| Vitamin A | 260IU |
| Calcium | 25mg |
Soft boiled eggs are packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The vitamin D, selenium, lutein and choline content provide health benefits. Their creamy richness makes them satisfying.
Health benefits of soft boiled eggs
Here are some of the top health benefits associated with soft boiled eggs:
High in protein
The 6 grams of protein in a soft boiled egg provides 12% of the daily value. The high quality protein helps maintain muscle and keeps you feeling full.
Source of vitamins and minerals
Soft boiled eggs contain vitamin A, folate, selenium and choline that play important roles in health. The iron, phosphorus and zinc satisfy 6-8% DV.
Antioxidant properties
Lutein and zeaxanthin antioxidants found in egg yolks promote eye health and may reduce disease risk.
Heart healthy fats
Most of the fat in eggs is unsaturated fat, which has positive heart health effects compared to saturated fat.
Brain booster
The choline in soft boiled eggs supports memory, mood and brain development – especially for kids and moms-to-be.
Enjoy soft boiled eggs for their convenience, great taste and abundance of nutrients. They make for a protein-rich breakfast or snack.
How to use leftover refrigerated soft boiled eggs
Don’t let leftover soft boiled eggs go to waste. Here are easy ways to use up refrigerated soft boiled eggs:
Make egg salad
Chop boiled eggs and mix with mayo, mustard, celery, onion and spices for a classic egg salad sandwich filling.
Top salads
Chop and sprinkle cold soft boiled eggs over any salad for extra protein. Caesar, niçoise, spinach – they complement many salads.
Blend into tuna salad
For an extra protein punch, finely chop an egg and blend into tuna salad. Delicious in a lettuce wrap or sandwich.
Pair with roasted veggies
Dice cold eggs and serve over roasted broccoli, brussels sprouts, potatoes and other veggies.
Make deviled eggs
Cut soft boiled eggs in half, remove the yolks, mix with mustard, mayo and spice and scoop back into the whites.
Don’t throw away leftover soft boiled eggs! They make great additions to meals and snacks.
Conclusion
Soft boiled eggs can absolutely be refrigerated. Properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they will keep for up to one week. Let soft boiled eggs cool completely before refrigerating and use within 5 days for the best quality. Discard any eggs that develop an unpleasant odor, appearance or slimy texture. Refrigeration allows you to cook a batch of eggs ahead of time to enjoy throughout the week. Soft boiled eggs provide an easy, protein-packed meal or snack any time of day.