How Long Does Egg Salad Last? Comprehensive Review

How long does egg salad last? The shelf life of egg salad depends on a variety of factors, such as the best before date, the preparation method and how it’s stored. 

To maximize the shelf life of egg salad, follow these tips to avoid food waste and keep your food safe to eat.

How Long Does Egg Salad Last?

Assuming you’re talking about store-bought egg salad, it should be eaten within 3-5 days of purchasing. If you’re talking about homemade egg salad, it should be eaten within 1-2 days.

How To Store Your Egg Salad

  • Place the mixture in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. 
  • The container should be filled only three-quarters full with the egg salad so that there is space for the contents to breathe and avoid molding or bacteria growth. 

To tell if the egg salad has gone bad, take a sniff. If it smells rotten, don’t eat it. For best results, make sure the egg salad is made only with boiled eggs and not raw eggs. 

Raw eggs can contain salmonella which may cause food poisoning if consumed. For example, when making homemade mayonnaise: instead of adding raw eggs to oil as a base, boil them first before combining them with oil (so they can cool down). 

After cooking, pour the cooked eggs into a bowl and let them cool down to room temperature before proceeding with any other steps.

Add vinegar or lemon juice while whisking cold water into a paste-like consistency (this will inhibit the browning of the egg) then slowly pour this mixture into the oil while continuously whisking to form mayonnaise. 

Once this has been done, add salt, pepper, mustard powder and garlic powder (to taste) then chill in the fridge for up to one week after preparing.

How Do You Know When Egg Salad Goes Bad?

If you’re unsure if your egg salad has gone bad, there are some other signs to look out for: smell (the smell should be mild), color (the eggs should not have any greenish tint), taste (the taste should not be unpleasant), texture (the texture should not have any liquid leaking from the container). 

If you’re still unsure whether your egg salad has gone bad, you could try cooking up a small sample. Bring one tablespoon of the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then remove from heat and allow it to cool.

If after 15 minutes there is no sign of bacteria developing on top, then your egg salad is likely safe to eat.

Freshness Matters

When it comes to egg salad, freshness matters. If your eggs are past their prime, your salad will be too. The same goes for the mayo and other ingredients. 

So, how can you tell if your egg salad is still good? First, look at the eggs. Are they turning green or brown around the yolks? If so, they’re no longer good. Second, smell the salad. If it smells off, it’s best to toss it out.

Finally, give the salad a taste test. It should taste creamy and flavorful with just enough tang from the vinegar or lemon juice. If it doesn’t have that balance of flavors anymore, then it’s time to toss it out.

Once you’ve finished eating all the egg salad, store what’s left over in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. If you want to keep your leftover salads for up to two weeks (or up to four months when frozen), make sure they don’t come into contact with anything that has touched raw meat, poultry, or seafood.

You might also want to add a little of water or chicken broth into your storage container before sealing it up tight.

Expiration Dates Can Help You Stay Safe

If you choose to purchase store-bought items, be sure to look for best by dates so that you know when they expire. With these guidelines in mind, enjoy egg salad sandwiches all week long.

Homemade egg salad will last about two to four days in the fridge. However, if you buy pre-made egg salad from the store, it may only last one day.

  • Check the expiration date: This is the easiest way to tell if your eggs are still good. If they’re past the expiration date, they’re probably not good anymore. 
  • Look for signs of spoilage: If the eggs have any cracks or discoloration, they’re probably not good anymore. 
  • A weird smell is also a sign that it’s time to throw them out.
  • Open the egg and check inside: Take one egg out and crack it open on the countertop (or over another bowl). 

Conclusion

Egg salad is a dish made primarily of eggs, mayonnaise, and chopped celery or onions. They often serve it on bread as a sandwich. 

Egg salad can last in the fridge for 3-5 days. After that, it’s best to toss it. The only exception is if you’ve added hard-boiled eggs. That way, egg salad lasts up to 7 days in the fridge.

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