✔ Updated · corrected fridge times + how to freeze cooked yolks
Can you freeze hard boiled eggs? Not whole: the cooked whites turn tough, rubbery and watery in the freezer, so whole eggs (in or out of the shell) are best kept in the fridge and eaten within 1 week.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Freeze only the cooked yolks. Keep whole hard-boiled eggs in the fridge, in or out of the shell, and eat them within 1 week.
The yolks are a different story. Cooked yolks freeze well for up to 3 months and are handy for egg salad, deviled-egg fillings and grating over salads. Here's how to hard-boil a batch, freeze the yolks the right way, and what to do if you accidentally froze hard boiled eggs.
Can You Freeze Hard Boiled Eggs? What Freezes and What Doesn't
Freezing changes the texture of cooked egg whites. Ice crystals push water out of the set proteins, so once thawed the whites are tough, spongy and watery. Cooked yolks are mostly fat and protein with less water, so they stay crumbly and usable. That's why the rule is simple: freeze the yolks, refrigerate the rest.
| Hard-boiled egg | Freeze it? | How to store it | How long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole, in the shell | No | Refrigerator, in a covered container | Up to 1 week |
| Whole, peeled | No | Refrigerator, in a covered container | Up to 1 week |
| Cooked whites | No (rubbery) | Refrigerator, covered | Up to a few days once separated |
| Cooked yolks | Yes | Freezer, airtight, after tray-freezing | Up to 3 months |
| Egg salad or deviled eggs | No (separates) | Refrigerator, covered | 3 to 4 days |
Why This Method Works
- No rubbery whites: only the yolks go in the freezer, where they keep their crumbly texture.
- Less waste, because extra yolks from a big batch are saved for egg salad and fillings.
- Food-safe timings for the fridge, the freezer and the counter, all in one place.
How to Freeze Hard-Boiled Egg Yolks
Frozen cooked yolks are worth saving when you've boiled more eggs than you can eat in a week, which happens in my kitchen every Easter. They work anywhere the yolk is crumbled, mashed or grated rather than eaten on its own. Need raw yolks for a recipe and have none? See our egg yolk substitutes.
- Cool fast: move the hot eggs into an ice bath for 10 minutes, then peel. I find they peel far more easily this way.
- Separate: halve the eggs lengthwise and pop out the yolks. Refrigerate the whites and use them within a few days.
- Tray-freeze: spread the yolks in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 1 to 2 hours, until firm.
- Pack and date: move them to an airtight container or freezer bag, press out the air and write the date on it.
- Use within 3 months: thaw overnight in the fridge and use within 1 day.
How Long Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Last?
Cooked eggs are perishable. Refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking (1 hour on a day above 90°F) and eat them within 1 week, whether peeled or in the shell. Peeled eggs keep best in a covered container, so they don't dry out or absorb fridge odors. Don't leave hard-boiled eggs at room temperature overnight.
If an egg smells sulfurous or sour, feels slimy, or you can't remember when it was cooked, throw it out. Wondering about other dairy and deli staples? See can you freeze cottage cheese and can you freeze guacamole.
Hard-Boiled Egg Timing Guide
These times are for large eggs started in cold water and timed from when the water comes to a boil. Add about 30 seconds for extra-large eggs and take off 30 seconds for medium eggs. For freezing, cook the eggs for the full 10 minutes so the yolks are completely set.
| Time at a gentle boil | White | Yolk | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 to 5 minutes | Just set | Runny | Dipping toast |
| 6 to 7 minutes | Set | Jammy, creamy center | Ramen, salads, avocado toast |
| 8 minutes | Firm | Mostly set, slightly soft center | Snacking, Scotch-style eggs |
| 10 minutes | Firm | Fully set and crumbly | Egg salad, deviled eggs, freezing yolks |
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Never freeze whole hard-boiled eggs. The cooked whites lose water as they freeze and thaw, turning tough, spongy and rubbery. In the shell, they can also crack as the egg expands.
- Chill quickly, then refrigerate. An ice bath cools the eggs fast. Get cooked eggs into the fridge within 2 hours (1 hour if it's above 90°F) and eat them within 1 week, peeled or not.
- Freeze yolks in a single layer first. Tray-freezing keeps them from sticking together, so you can take out just as many as you need.
- Thaw in the fridge. Thaw frozen yolks overnight in the refrigerator, never on the counter, and use them within a day.
- Slightly older eggs peel easier. Very fresh eggs cling to their shells. Eggs that have been in the fridge for a week or so peel more cleanly after the ice bath.
How to Hard-Boil Eggs and Freeze the Yolks
40
minutesHard-boil a batch of eggs, cool them quickly in ice water, then separate the cooked yolks and freeze them for up to 3 months for egg salad, deviled-egg fillings and garnishes. Whole hard-boiled eggs and whites turn rubbery and watery in the freezer, so keep those in the fridge and eat them within 1 week.
Ingredients
- For Hard-Boiled Eggs
12 large eggs
cold water, enough to cover the eggs by 1 inch
4 cups ice cubes, for the ice bath
- For Freezing
1 sheet parchment paper
1 airtight freezer container or freezer bag
Directions
- Hard-Boil the Eggs
- Place the eggs in a single layer in a large saucepan and add cold water to cover them by about 1 inch. Lower them in gently so the shells don’t crack.
- Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. As soon as it boils, reduce the heat to a gentle boil, start a timer and cook for 10 minutes for fully set, hard-boiled eggs.
- While the eggs cook, fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. Use a slotted spoon to move the cooked eggs straight into the ice bath and leave them for 10 minutes, until cold all the way through. Quick cooling stops the cooking, prevents a green ring around the yolk and makes peeling easier.
- Store or Freeze
- To keep whole eggs, dry them and refrigerate them in a covered container, in the shell or peeled, within 2 hours of cooking. Eat them within 1 week. Don’t freeze whole hard-boiled eggs or the whites: they turn tough, rubbery and watery once thawed.
- To freeze, peel the cold eggs, cut them in half lengthwise and pop out the yolks. Refrigerate the whites and use them within a few days.
- Arrange the cooked yolks in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray or plate and freeze for 1 to 2 hours, until firm.
- Transfer the frozen yolks to an airtight freezer container or freezer bag, press out the air, write the date on it and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To use, thaw the yolks overnight in the refrigerator, never on the counter. Crumble or grate them into egg salad, potato salad or deviled-egg fillings, or over green salads and soups, and use within 1 day of thawing.
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Ways to Use Frozen Cooked Yolks
Thawed yolks are slightly drier than fresh ones, so they shine when mashed with something creamy or grated as a garnish. I like them best in egg salad:
- Deviled-egg filling: mash with mayonnaise, mustard and a little vinegar. Try our Paula Deen deviled eggs for a classic filling.
- Egg salad: mash the yolks with mayonnaise and stir in freshly chopped hard-boiled eggs.
- Potato salad: crumble them into the dressing of a creamy potato salad, like our Hellmann's potato salad.
- Garnish: grate them over green salads, asparagus, soups or avocado toast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze hard boiled eggs?
Not whole. Freezing makes cooked egg whites tough, rubbery and watery, so whole hard-boiled eggs should be kept in the fridge and eaten within 1 week. The cooked yolks freeze well, though: separate them, freeze them in a single layer, then store them airtight for up to 3 months.
Can you freeze hard boiled eggs in the shell?
It isn't recommended. The shell can crack as the egg expands, and the white still turns rubbery once thawed. If you want to freeze part of a hard-boiled egg, peel it and freeze only the cooked yolk.
I accidentally froze hard boiled eggs. Are they safe to eat?
If they were cooked and handled safely, kept frozen and then thawed in the refrigerator, they are generally safe to eat, but the whites will be rubbery and watery. Use the yolks, or chop the whole eggs very finely into egg salad. Discard any eggs that were left at room temperature for more than 2 hours or that smell off.
How long do hard boiled eggs last in the fridge?
Hard-boiled eggs keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator, whether they are peeled or still in the shell. Refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking and store peeled eggs in a covered container so they don't dry out or pick up odors.
Can you freeze egg salad or deviled eggs?
Freezing isn't recommended for either. The mayonnaise separates and the cooked whites turn rubbery. Instead, freeze the cooked yolks on their own and mix a fresh egg salad or deviled-egg filling after thawing.
How long can hard boiled eggs sit out?
No more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour if it's above 90°F, such as at a summer picnic. After that, bacteria can grow, so throw them away. Don't leave hard-boiled eggs out overnight.
Thanks for your details on boiled eggs. I made to many eggs for an event and want to save as many as I could. Great information.