How Long Are Deviled Eggs Good For? That Answer and More From the USDA (2024)

If you're making deviled eggs for Easter, knowing how long deviled eggs are good for is important because, despite how delicious they are, you may have some left over. Before tossing them in the trash, we're here to tell you that leftover deviled eggs can be perfectly safe to eat within a few days—as long as you follow certain guidelines.

We're sharing food safety guidance from the USDA on how long deviled eggs last, as well as how and where to store them to maximize their shelf life and keep them safe for consumption. We also share some best practices for handling and storing other hard-cooked eggs, specifically pickled, dyed, and Easter egg hunt eggs.

Shelf Life of Hard-Cooked and Deviled Eggs

According to the USDA, hard-cooked eggs of any kind—whether left in their shells or peeled—can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Deviled eggs are best consumed within 4 days, provided they've been refrigerated promptly and stored properly. Deviled eggs have a shorter shelf life because they contain a filling, usually made with mayonnaise or yogurt.

Deviled eggs, as well as all hard-cooked eggs, don't last as long as fresh eggs, which you can store in the refrigerator for up to 5 weeks and possibly longer. Boiling destroys the protective coating provided by a fresh eggshell. This means the shell's pores are exposed, making it easier for bacteria to enter and contaminate the edible part of the egg.

How Long Deviled Eggs Can Sit Out

Deviled eggs can stay out at room temperature for 2 hours, and that period applies to preparation, serving, and leftovers. After 2 hours, perishable foods—like deviled eggs—enter what the USDA calls the "Danger Zone," in which conditions are more favorable for harmful bacteria to form. For example, just 20 minutes in the Danger Zone enables dangerous bacteria to double in number.

Deviled Egg Food Safety Tips

Follow these preparation and storage guidelines to keep your deviled eggs safe for consumption:

• Ensure that during preparation—from off the stove, to cooling, to peeling, to filling—eggs are not left out of the refrigerator for longer than 2 hours at any point.
• After prep, store deviled eggs in the fridge until serving.
• When guests arrive, serve deviled eggs in batches—say, a dozen at a time. Before the 2-hour limit, switch them out with more from the fridge as needed.
  
• If serving deviled eggs outside where the temperature reaches 90°F (or above), limit their non-refrigerated period to 1 hour (instead of 2).
  
• To properly store deviled eggs in your refrigerator, arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container or a designated egg carrier.
• If you plan to send some home with a guest, refrigerate them until your guest is ready to leave.
• Properly stored, deviled eggs can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days, but always check for signs of spoilage and give them a sniff to ensure they're still safe to consume.

Shelf Life of Pickled Eggs

Some Easter celebrations include pickled eggs, which are hard-cooked eggs marinated in vinegar and pickling spices, spicy cider, or juice from pickles or pickled beets. A study showed that unopened containers of commercially pickled eggs keep for several months on the shelf. After opening, the container should be kept refrigerated and used within 7 days.

Home-prepared pickled eggs are a different story. The USDA recommends treating them like other hard-cooked eggs: kept refrigerated and used within 7 days. They do not recommend the home canning of pickled eggs.

Shelf Life of Dyed Easter Eggs

Dyed Easter eggs stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or 7 days, which is no different from other hard-cooked eggs. Whether they're dyed in traditional pastel hues, avant-garde colors, or unique designs, dyed Easter eggs are safe to eat, provided you use a food-safe coloring. That includes most commercial egg-dying kits (check the label) as well as homemade dyes made from food-safe ingredients. That excludes dyes not meant for consumption, such as nail polish, paint, or other non-consumable chemicals.

If, after hard-cooking your eggs, you're not quite ready to dye them, store those eggs in the refrigerator until your dyes and bowls are all set up. After dying (and a thorough hand-washing), return them to the fridge until you're ready to use them, all the while ensuring they don't exceed their 2-hour limit exposed to room temperature.

Shelf Life of Easter Egg Hunt Eggs

If you're planning an Easter egg hunt that features hard-cooked eggs, the USDA urges caution when it comes to eating them afterward. They advise against consuming hard-cooked eggs with cracked shells or those that have been lying on the ground, because they could pick up bacteria that contaminate the inside.

If you intend to eat eggs that have been hunted, ensure you follow these USDA guidelines:

• Hide eggs in places that are protected from dirt, moisture, pets, and other sources of bacteria, as well as temperatures above 90°F.
• Limit the total time for hiding and hunting eggs to no longer than 2 hours.
• Thoroughly wash eggs and hands promptly after finding them, and ensure they've been subject to room temperature (or warmer) for no longer than 2 hours.
• Refrigerate and eat recovered eggs within 7 days of being cooked.