How long are pickled eggs good for in the refrigerator

In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “how long do pickled eggs last” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of pickled eggs in different mediums. Moreover, we are going to discuss the health implications of eating a bad pickled egg and the tips to properly handle the pickled eggs.

So without much ado, let’s dive in and figure out more about it.

Pickled eggs last for 3-4 months in the fridge in an air-tight container or jar at or below 40°F. This time period is for best quality only, and the eggs may last a little bit longer than that. Always remember that pickled eggs should be stored in an airtight container and must be refrigerated at all times. Once the eggs are pickled, it is advised to always keep them refrigerated to preserve their freshness for a long time.

Can pickled eggs go bad?

Yes, pickled eggs can go bad. Pickled eggs have a shelf life of around three to four months when they are refrigerated in airtight containers. The pickling usually takes a month, after which they maintain the quality for around four months.

Do pickled eggs have to be refrigerated? 

Yes, pickled eggs have to be refrigerated and should not be left unattended in the pantry. Rather, they should be stored in the refrigerator for optimal results. Pickled eggs can last in the fridge for 2-3 months before they start to go bad.

Do pickled eggs have to be refrigerated to season them?

Once the eggs are pickled they should be kept in the refrigerator for some time so that they can pick up the flavors from the pickling brine and can be seasoned well. 

The time the eggs take to be seasoned depends upon the size of the eggs. So if small eggs are used in the pickling process, they have to be kept for about 1-2 weeks in the fridge while if large eggs are used they have to be kept in the fridge for 3-4 weeks so that they can pick up the flavors well. 

How long do pickled eggs last at room temperature?

You should never keep the pickled eggs at room temperature until and unless you want to serve them. Once they are out of the refrigerator, pickled eggs last for about 2 hours when kept at room temperature. You should discard the pickled eggs that have been left in open for more than 2 hours as bacterial growth takes place at a faster pace between the temperature of 40°F and 140°F, therefore there are greater chances of the pickled eggs being already contaminated with bacteria when left out for more than 2 hours.

Can I freeze pickled eggs?

No, it is not recommended to freeze the pickled eggs as they are already boiled and afterward pickled in vinegar. Freezing can degrade the flavor, texture, and overall quality of the pickled eggs.

Thus in the case of pickled eggs, storing them in the freezer is a big “No”.

Other FAQs about Eggs which you may be interested in.

How long can scrambled eggs last in the refrigerator?

How to make pickled eggs?

So the process starts with boiling the eggs. With the help of a pinhole, make a hole on the large end of the eggs, place the eggs in the saucepan and fill in water in it. Let the eggs boil. Once the eggs have boiled, put them in a bowl of cold water for a minute. Again put them in hot simmering water for 10 seconds. Now it is time to peel the egg, crack the shell, roll the egg between the palms and start peeling the egg from the larger end. Wash the eggs with water to remove any leftover shell attached to the now-peeled egg.

Now take a saucepan and add white vinegar, water, white sugar, kosher salt, and pickling spices and let it boil to make the brine. Once it comes to a boil, let it simmer for some time. Now take a sterilized glass jar and add the peeled, boiled eggs to it. Add the onion slices and bay leaves to the jar. Add the prepared brine solution to the jar and seal it. Keep the jar refrigerated for 1-2 weeks so that the eggs will pick up the flavors from the brine.

What will happen if you eat a pickled egg that has gone bad?

Eating a pickled egg that has gone bad can put you at the risk of many food-borne illnesses especially food poisoning. A bad pickled egg can have bacteria like Campylobacter on it and eating a pickled egg that has gone bad can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.

Moreover, the consumption of bad pickled eggs is also associated with botulism that is a deadly condition. You can read more about it here.

How to handle the pickled eggs properly?

1. Wash all the food items (eggs, onion, etc.), and utensils that you are going to use in the pickling process.
2. Clean the counter and cutting board on which you are going to carry out the pickling process.
3. The pH of the pickled eggs should be low (pH <4.6) to reduce the chances of bacterial growth on the pickled eggs. 
4. You should always refrigerate the eggs at 39 °F once they are pickled. 
5. It is a good practice to store the pickled eggs container on the shelf of the fridge rather than the door as there is a lot of temperature fluctuation at the door of the fridge.
6. It is not recommended to store the pickled eggs in the freezer.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question “how long do pickled eggs last” with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of pickled eggs in different mediums. Moreover, we discussed the health implications of eating a bad pickled egg and the tips to properly handle the pickled eggs.

Citations

https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/17149

https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/pickled_eggs.html#