Never Eat a Hard-Boiled Egg If You Notice This

The hard-boiled egg in your fridge might seem just fine, but there’s one tell-tale sign that it should be in the trash, not on your plate. If the odor or appearance is foul, the egg may be spoiled; if it has not been kept at the proper temperature, it may also be unsafe to eat. Here’s what to check before your next hard-boiled egg, as per Big Laps.

A Bad Smell Is a Clear Warning

Don’t eat a hard-boiled egg if it smells strongly unpleasant when you peel or cut it. A spoiled egg may have an unpleasant odor, whether raw or cooked. If an egg has an off odor when you open it, throw it out; don’t cover it up with a seasoning or other ingredient.

Don’t use a taste test to decide whether an egg is safe. It’s better to be on the safe side and dispose of an egg if it appears or smells suspicious.

Watch for Unusual Appearance

Appearance is the second thing to check. Look for a slimy or chalky shell, a discolored or greenish white, or a slippery, sticky texture on the peeled egg. 

Not all color changes, however, indicate a spoiled egg. A greenish-grey circle can be spotted around the yolk if the egg is cooked too long. This is the result of a chemical reaction between the yolk and white, which does not necessarily mean the egg is unsafe to eat.

What matters is whether the egg shows other signs of spoilage, an off odor or an odd texture. 

Check How Long It Has Been Refrigerated

A hard-boiled egg, though normal in appearance and odor, shouldn’t be left in the refrigerator forever. The recommended storage time is up to 7 days whether the eggs are in their shells or peeled. 

When you boil a batch, write the date on the container so you’re not guessing later. 

Don’t Leave Cooked Eggs on the Counter

Refrigeration is the other half of hard-boiled egg safety. Put them in the fridge rather than leaving them on the counter. 

Hard-boiled eggs left out of the fridge for more than 2 hours should be thrown away, or 1 hour if the room is above 90°F. 

When storing eggs, keep them refrigerated at 40°F or below in a clean, covered container. 

Know When to Throw It Away

You don’t need to inspect every egg. Basic questions to ask: How long has it been in storage, has it been refrigerated, and is it smelly or does it have an odd color or texture?

If the egg is foul-smelling, has an unusual texture, or has not been stored within the recommended time limits, don’t risk it. 

Quickly check the hard-boiled egg before eating. If it has an unpleasant odor or is obviously spoiled, toss it. It’s not necessary to throw out eggs that have a green-gray ring around the yolk solely because of that color change, as long as they have been stored properly.