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Boiled Eggs Left Out Overnight – Safe To Eat or Bin Them?

Norah Clark
Boiled eggs on kitchen counter

Norah Clark

Norah Clark, Editor of Boyd Hampers! Norah is a food writer with over a decade of experience in hospitality as a pastry chef, sous chef, and barista; former chef at the Savoy Hotel, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Plaza Hotel.

Are eggs that have been boiled and kept out for the night safe to eat? No, boiled eggs shouldn’t be kept at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. They should be placed in the refrigerator. It doesn’t matter whether they were boiling or cooked in this case.

It’s never easy to tell what foods are best taken out or when you should consider the food you have left out because you didn’t put it away.

Certain food items can spoil very quickly, and it’s better not to take the risk and get sick.

Certain foods are extremely susceptible to bacteria; the longer they sit out, the more dangerous it is. If you’re ever in doubt about food items you are eating, repeat this quote I was always taught when I was a chef; if in doubt, throw it out!

In this article, I’ll go over the reasons why eggs are not suitable for consumption and the best methods for storage and handling to help you understand how to handle the eggs that have been boiled.

Keep reading to learn more about how long boiled eggs can be unrefrigerated and further guidance on leaving boiled eggs that have been left overnight!

How Long Can Boiled Eggs Be Left Unrefrigerated?

The best way to learn about the safe handling of eggs and eggs that have been boiled is to consult sources like the USDA.

Eggs are best stored in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours after cooking them. At room temperature, regular eggs are safe for 2 hours or more. Most certainly, don’t even leave uncooked eggs sitting out overnight!

In any temperature greater than 90 degrees F, they’re only safe for one hour since the added heat can have negative effects.

Boiled eggs attract and nurture bacteria. When they are exposed to temperatures that range from 40 and 140 degrees F, this is the best time for bacteria to grow.

If you have forgotten about your boiled eggs and they were left out overnight, they should be thrown out.

Can You Still Eat Boiled Eggs Left Out Overnight?

The good news is that eggs aren’t expensive, and while buying and cooking new eggs may be a hassle, it’s much better than becoming sick and spending a few days in bed near a bucket – trust me!

There’s a good chance that you will not get sick, but there’s a more likely chance that you’ll be sick due to eating rotten boiled eggs. Are they worth the risk?

How To Store Boiled Eggs Without Refrigeration

Once you have boiled youe eggs, you can leave them on the stovetop to cool in the hot water.

Let them drop in temperature to the stage where you can put your finger into the water without burning yourself.

Put them into a bowl of cold water; you can add ice to help them drop in temperature faster.

You can keep the boiled eggs in the water for up to 2 hours to let them stay hard and then store them in your refrigerator.

How You Should Store Boiled Eggs Correctly

There aren’t any particularly difficult guidelines for storing boiled eggs that have been boiled.

There is no need to think about airtight containers or special storage techniques here. Eggs that have been boiled can be put in a bowl if you wish.

We suggest keeping the shells on until you’re ready to use or eat them, as the shell provides protection.

Boiled eggs will generally last around 7 days if stored properly and refrigerated

 

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