Scrambled eggs are not just a breakfast staple, they are also a versatile ingredient for so many delicious recipes. Having leftovers is common and you’re probably wondering how long do scrambled eggs last in the fridge?
We’re big fans of meal planning, and cooking a larger batch of scrambled eggs helps me create meals in advance while spending less time in the kitchen.
Whether you cooked the eggs for meal prep purposes or you simply made too much, you still have to deal with those leftovers. Let’s discuss the shelf life of scrambled eggs, how to store them properly, and how to tell if they’ve gone bad!
🍳 How Long Do They Last In The Fridge?
How long refrigerated scrambled eggs stay safe to eat depends on whether they are raw or cooked.
Raw scrambled eggs can carry Salmonella, one of the most common bacteria causing food poisoning. When left in a warm environment, it can multiply fast.
If you don’t plan to cook your raw scrambled eggs right away, I recommend placing them in the fridge right after beating them. Never let them stay on the counter for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour on a warm day with temperatures over 90°F (32.2°C).
Raw scrambled eggs only last 1 day in the fridge if you stored them in a covered container and at a temperature of 40°F (4.4°C) or below.
Cooked Scrambled Eggs
Refrigerated cooked scrambled eggs last 3-4 days in the fridge. According to the USDA, this rule applies to all cooked egg dishes.
Another important rule for making sure your scrambled eggs last as long as possible, is to place them in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. If the ambient temperature is higher than 90°F (32.2°C), they shouldn’t be left on the counter for over 1 hour.
It’s worth noting both raw and cooked scrambled eggs can be frozen and while they technically last forever in the freezer, it’s advisable to consume them within 1 year for best quality.
| Food | Storage | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Scrambled Eggs | Room temperature | Up to 2 hours (1 hour if temperatures are over 90°F/32.2°C) |
| Raw Scrambled Eggs | Fridge at 40°F (4.4°C) or below | Up to 24 hours |
| Raw Scrambled Eggs | Freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below | Up to 1 year for best quality |
| Cooked Scrambled Eggs | Room temperature | Up to 2 hours (1 hour if temperatures are over 90°F/32.2°C) |
| Cooked Scrambled Eggs | Fridge at 40°F (4.4°C) or below | 3-4 days |
| Cooked Scrambled Eggs | Freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below | Up to 1 year for best quality |
How Long Can Scrambled Eggs Sit Out?
Raw or cooked scrambled eggs, as well as egg-based dishes, can sit out for up to 2 hours. (1 hour if the temperatures are over 90°F/32.2°C).
The safest approach, and the one I recommend, is to refrigerate them as soon as possible. The faster you do it, the lesser the risk of getting food poisoning from consuming spoiled eggs.
🍱 How To Store Scrambled Eggs
I’m a big fan of quick and easy breakfast ideas, and eggs are definitely one of the most important ingredients used for the first meal of the day.
As long as you make sure your scrambled eggs are stored properly, they’ll stay fresh and safe to eat for the maximum recommended time.
- Cook the eggs completely, making sure they’re not runny. Half-cooked eggs are more susceptible to bacterial growth so they’ll go bad faster.
- Allow the eggs to cool before refrigerating. Placing them in the fridge while they’re hot will cause condensation to form. With the added moisture, they’ll be prone to going bad sooner.
- Make sure the temperature of your fridge is 40°F (4.4°C) or lower and keep the eggs in the coldest area.
- Store your cooked scrambled eggs in a shallow air-tight container.
- Always label your containers so you never have to guess how long they’ve been in the fridge.
👨🍳 How To Reheat
Reheating scrambled eggs is super easy and you have several l methods at your disposal.
Microwave the scrambled eggs in 15-20 second internals until they are warm.
Reheat scrambled eggs on the stovetop in a skillet while stirring constantly for a few minutes. Optionally, add a bit of water or milk in the pan to keep the eggs moist.
Place scrambled eggs in a baking dish, cover it with aluminum foil and reheat them in the oven at 350°F for10 minutes.
⛔ How To Tell If They Have Gone Bad
It is very dangerous to consume spoiled eggs, so knowing the signs of spoilage is of the utmost importance.
Do the eggs smell bad? Off-putting smells are a sure sign they’re no longer safe to eat.
Are there any discolorations or changes in color present? If there are any areas with gray or greenish colors, it’s time to discard them!
Have your scrambled eggs been in the fridge for 4 days or longer? Even with none of the above signs, they’re no longer safe to eat.
Note: Keep in mind that reheating spoiled eggs won’t make them safe to eat.
How To Freeze Raw Scrambled Eggs
Uncooked scrambled eggs can be kept in the fridge for just one day. With no immediate plans to use them, the best solution for long-term storage is the freezer.
Beat the eggs and pour them in a shallow freezer-friendly container with an airtight lid. Write the date on the container and make sure to use them within a year.
Technically, frozen raw scrambled eggs stay safe to eat indefinitely if the temperature in the freezer is 0°F (-18°C) or lower. However, for the best flavor and texture they should be consumed within 1 year.
How To Freeze Cooked Scrambled Eggs
Now that you’re no longer wondering how long do scrambled eggs last in the fridge, you might not want to eat them within the 3-4 days they stay safe to eat.
Freezing them will significantly lengthen their shelf life. Frozen cooked eggs stay safe to eat indefinitely, although you should consume them in the first year to enjoy them at their best.
Once your cooked scrambled eggs have cooled completely, place them in a tightly-sealed freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
If you made a large batch, divide it in smaller portions so you can thaw only as much as you need.
🥚 Our Favorite Egg Recipes
Eggs are the foundation for an impressive number of quick breakfast ideas! When you need a healthy breakfast that’s ready fast, try some of our favorite egg recipes.
- How To Microwave Scrambled Eggs – No stovetop? You can still enjoy scrambled eggs as long as you have a microwave. Breakfast will be served in under 10 minutes!
- Scrambled Egg Muffin Cups – These delicious egg muffins are ready in 25 minutes and you can easily customize them in a thousand variations. One of our favorites is the salsa scrambled egg muffin cups.
- Air Fryer Egg Cups – An Air Fryer makes egg cups even faster as they are ready in less than 20 minutes!
- Egg Toast Pizza – It just can’t get better than a pizza-flavored breakfast you can make in under 10 minutes, right?
- Oven Baked Eggs In Muffin Tins – Check out our Variations sections to make this yummy 15-minute breakfast in many different ways.
- Savory Oatmeal With Egg – This is the perfect hearty breakfast that will fuel you for a productive day!
More Refrigerator Storage Times
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How Long Does Cookie Dough Last in the Fridge?
How Long Does Cake Last in the Fridge?
How Long Does Spaghetti Last in the Fridge?
How Long is Rotisserie Chicken Good For?
❓F.A.Q.
No. Refrigerated, cooked, scrambled eggs should be consumed within 3-4 days.
Even if there are no obvious spoilage signs, scrambled eggs kept in the fridge for 5 days are not safe to eat anymore and should be discarded.
No, you shouldn’t eat any cooked egg that has been in the refrigerator for 7 days or longer.
If the egg was hard boiled and kept in its shell, it stays safe to eat for up to a week. Scrambled cooked eggs must be consumed within 3-4 days.
The microwave offers the fastest and easiest way to reheat scrambled eggs. Place them in a microwave-safe dish and reheat in 15-20 second intervals until they are warm.
Alternatively, you can reheat scrambled eggs on the stovetop, in a skillet for a few minutes. Add a splash of milk or water and keep stirring so they reheat uniformly.
Yes! As long as they have been properly stored in the fridge for no longer than 4 days.
They are great for sandwiches, salads, and other meals on-the-go.
Conclusion
With all the proper measures taken, cooked, scrambled eggs last in the fridge for 3-4 days. In general, this is enough time to consume them and avoid waste.
When you know you won’t be eating them soon, freezing them is the best option.
Ran out of eggs? Don’t give up on your recipe. Check out our free egg substitutions printable and find the perfect surrogate!
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Hi!
Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
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