How Long Do Farm Fresh Eggs Last? + 6 Ways To Preserve Eggs
Eggs are nutrient-rich and a great source of protein. Unfortunately, they have a pretty short shelf life unless you plan to preserve them to increase their longevity and prevent spoilage. There are many easy ways to preserve your farm-fresh eggs that extend their expiration date from months to years.
How Long Do Farm Fresh Eggs Last? Farm-fresh eggs can last anywhere from a few days to months, depending on the preparation and storage methods. Eggs stored at room temperature will not last as long as eggs stored in the refrigerator. Though many people still choose to store them on the counter despite their shorter shelf life, as they are less viscous and easier to cook with.
In this article, we will look at how long fresh eggs last and how to extend their shelf life using six different preservation methods.
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Table Of Contents
Related Homestead Fox Articles:
- Can Fresh Eggs Be Stored At Room Temperature?
- Can You Eat Eggs Straight From A Chicken?
- Can Chickens Lay Eggs Without A Rooster?
How Long Do Farm Fresh Eggs Last?
Many people wonder how long farm fresh eggs last, and it’s an important question. The lifespan of these eggs can vary depending on how they are prepared and stored. Unlike store-bought eggs, fresh eggs from backyard chickens can be kept in or out of the fridge. Understanding why this is the case can help you learn more about egg storage and determine how long your fresh eggs will stay.
After a hen lays an egg, it is covered with a natural protective layer called bloom or cuticle. This layer helps to prevent bacteria from getting inside the eggshell. As a result, unwashed, newly laid eggs can be stored outside the refrigerator for two weeks to a month.
It’s important to note that washing eggs can remove their natural protective layer, which is why they should be kept in the fridge to prevent any potential bacterial contamination. If you wash and refrigerate your eggs, they can last for around three months, much longer than if you keep them at room temperature. This is also why eggs sold in grocery stores are always refrigerated, as they have already been washed before distribution, so they don’t have the natural protective layer anymore.
How To Store Farm Fresh Eggs For Longer Shelf Life
While many prefer room-temperature farm fresh eggs, unfortunately, they do not last long. If you do not think you can eat all your eggs within two weeks, then you should move them to the refrigerator to extend their shelf life. Now, you may or may not choose to wash them when refrigerating; that is completely up to you. But, your eggs should be stored in an enclosed container such as this reusable egg carton. This is important as it helps prevent the eggs from absorbing any strange food smells that could be circulating. For those on a budget, try reusing old egg cartons from the grocery store or ask your friends and family to save theirs for you when they are done using them
6 Ways To Preserve Eggs
There are many different ways to preserve and store eggs (store-bought or farm). Depending on the method, eggs can last months to even years!
1. Freeze Eggs
Freezing eggs is a great way to preserve eggs, including leftover egg whites or yolks from recipes. We do not recommend freezing whole eggs (shell and all) for a few reasons. The first is because liquid expands when frozen, which could lead the shell to crack. Second, egg yolks do not freeze overly well. They tend to get syrupy and jelly, making for a thick and inconsistent texture when unfrozen. Eggs can be frozen for up to a year. Below are a few methods on how to freeze eggs.
Freezing Whole Eggs
Freezing whole eggs is actually quite simple. First, whisk together the eggs. Then, store them in a freezer-safe bag and lay the bag flat in the freezer. For individual portions, freeze them in an ice cube tray or muffin tray first. Then, once frozen (usually around 4-6 hours), transfer the eggs to a freezer-safe bag.
Freezing Egg Whites
To freeze egg whites, begin by giving them a good whisk, then place them in a freezer-safe bag and label/date them. You can store them in smaller portions to spread up the thawing process. If using a freezer bag, be sure to lay it flat. Every two tablespoons of egg whites will equal one large egg white.
Freezing Egg Yolks
Though we mentioned above that egg yolks do not tend to freeze well, there is a way to help stop them from gelatinizing. The trick is to add whisk in either ½ teaspoon of salt or 1 ½ teaspoon of sugar for every one cup of egg yolk. Then, you can either freeze them in a freezer-safe bag with the date on it or, for individual portions, freeze them in an ice cube tray before placing them in a freezer-safe bag.
2. Water Glass Eggs
Water glassing is a method of preserving farm-fresh eggs that dates back to the early 1800s. This is a great method of pressing as it doesn’t involve refrigeration, and water-glass eggs can last anywhere from a year to 18 months. This process only works with fresh (under a week old) eggs that have not been washed or refrigerated. Unfortunately, you cannot water glass grocery store eggs.
How To Water Glass Eggs
You will need the following ingredients and tools to water glass eggs.
- Fresh, unwashed farm-fresh eggs
- Pickling lime
- Distilled or filtered water
- Food-grade container with lid
Before placing your eggs in a food-grade container, check them for any debris or damage. Once inspected, carefully place them into the container.
Mix 1 ounce of pickling lime with 1 quart of water. You can add or subtract as much as needed to fill your container, but please follow the ratio of 1 ounce of lime for every 1 quart of water.
Once you have combined the lime and water, pour the mixture over the eggs, ensuring they are completely submerged in the liquid. Then, place the lid on tight, label and date your container and store it in a dry and cool location for around a year.
3. Pickled Eggs
If you are a fan of the sweet and sour taste of pickled foods such as sauerkraut, then you might just love pickled eggs too! Not only do they taste good, but they also extend the shelf life of eggs by 3 to 4 months.
Here is a basic step-by-step pickled egg recipe. Feel free to play around with flavours and add different spices. Many people like to make spicy pickled eggs by adding jalapenos and red pepper flakes.
How To Pickle Eggs
- 8-12 hard-boiled eggs (cooled and peeled)
- 1-2 cloves of garlic
- 3 cups of white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar with the same acidity)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/3 cup of white or brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons of pickling spice
- 1 cup of water
- Fresh herbs or spices of choice (e.g. dill, bay leaf, mustard seed, black peppercorn)
- 1 red onion
In a saucepan, combine vinegar, garlic, salt, sugar, spices and herbs, and water together and let simmer for 15 minutes on medium-high heat.
Carefully place hard-boiled eggs and red onion into a clean jar. Fill the jar with brine and seal the jar with a lid. Let the jar cool for around an hour before placing it in the refrigerator. Wait at least one week before eating and store for up to 3 to 4 months.
4. Mineral Oil Preserved Eggs
Using mineral oil is an easy and safe way to preserve both store-bought and farm-fresh eggs. This method is done by coating each egg with food-grade mineral oil, mimicking the egg’s natural bloom and preserving it. This can make your eggs last anywhere from 6 to 9 months, depending on the freshness of the egg and storage temperatures. Ideally, mineral oil-preserved eggs are stored in a cool and dark area but can also be stored in the refrigerator.
How To Mineral Oil Preserve Eggs
To preserve eggs using mineral oil, you will need the following ingredients and tools.
- Eggs
- Food-Grade Mineral Oil (warmed in the microwave)
- Latex gloves
First, wash the eggs and let them dry before you begin.
Next, microwave around 1/4 cup of mineral oil for around 10 seconds. Put on your gloves and rub some oil on your hands. Begin to coat each egg with oil. It does not matter how thick or thin the coat is. All that matters is ensuring every inch of the egg has oil on it.
Place the eggs back into the egg carton with the small end down and store them in your location of choice. Every month, flip the carton (not the individual eggs) upside down gently to help preserve the yolks.
Be sure to wash off all the mineral oil before eating.
5. Dehydrated Eggs
Dehydrating eggs can last anywhere between 5 to 10 years if stored in an air-tight container and in a dark, cool area such as a basement or pantry. They do not need to be refrigerated.
This is a great way to take eggs with you when hiking or doing any other outdoor activities (e.g. camping), as they do not take up much room, are easy to rehydrate, won’t spoil and provide amazing nutrition.
Here is how you dehydrate eggs using a dehydrator.
- You can use either cooked or raw eggs. Cooked eggs (hard-boiled or scrambled) will take around 10-12 hours to dehydrate, while raw eggs take 8-10. Whether you use cooked or raw eggs is completely up to you.
- Place eggs in the dehydrator tray. When using raw eggs, be sure to whisk the eggs together before pouring a thin layer onto the tray. For cooked eggs, scatter pieces of egg evenly into a single layer on the tray.
- Dehydrate until the eggs are no longer sticky and are completely dry.
- Once the eggs have cooled, place them in a food processor or blender until they reach powder form.
- Lastly, store the powdered eggs in a clean, airtight container in a dark and cool location until you are ready to use them.
6. Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are a great way to extend the shelf life of eggs by about one week, but they do not make eggs last for months.
How To Hard Boil Eggs
- Place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water by one inch. Leave the pot uncovered and bring it to a rolling boil.
- Once the water begins to boil, turn the heat down to low to medium and leave the eggs for 10-12 minutes.
- After around 10-12 minutes, carefully remove the eggs from the hot water and place them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
- When the eggs are cooled, move them to an airtight container or resealable bag and place them in the refrigerator for up to seven days. We recommend leaving the shells on until you are ready to eat them to keep them fresh.
