Do Egg Whites Expire?

Eggs are one of the most commonly consumed foods for good reason, they are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals that are difficult to find in the modern diet, but some of you prefer to eat just egg whites. Maybe dieters can benefit from ditching the egg yolks and eating the protein-packed egg whites to help reduce weight. But how long can egg whites last before they expire?

Most of you know the humble egg has quite a long shelf life. An egg in a refrigerator can last up to 12 weeks, but what happens when the egg is separated?

This article will closely examine egg whites and answer many frequently asked questions, so you have the facts.

Let’s get into it.

Why are egg whites consumed separately?

Eggs are a great source of everything the body needs, and it’s hard to overindulge eggs to find any adverse effects. But yet, some people prefer to ditch the egg yolk, maybe through misinformation, or they are trying to shed some pounds.

Egg whites are the perfect food for those who want to lose weight or need high protein boosts without an explosive calorie intake, such as bodybuilders.

Egg whites fit the bill perfectly; they are high in protein and low in calories, fat, and cholesterol. So it makes sense to use this cheap and humble product to achieve your goals.

What’s actually in egg whites that make them so healthy for you? Here is what WebMD has to say about white eggs:

The white egg has

• 4 grams of protein.
• 55 milligrams of sodium.
• 1.3 micrograms of folate.
• 6.6 micrograms of selenium.
• 2.3 milligrams of calcium.
• 3.6 milligrams of magnesium.
• 4.9 milligrams of phosphorus‌
• 53.8 milligrams of potassium.

While egg yolks are okay in moderation, your doctor may advise a heart-healthy diet if you are already at risk for heart disease or stroke. Egg whites are an excellent addition because they are cholesterol-free. For more protein without extra cholesterol and fat from the second yolk, you may combine one whole egg with another white egg.

If you are on a heart-healthy diet, keep in mind that when cooking your egg whites for breakfast or lunch often, these are served with bacon, sausages, and other foods associated with egg whites but don’t be fooled the heart-healthy element of the diet is only the egg white and everything else will have consequences if consumed.

What’s the healthiest part of an egg?

Egg yolks have a lot more nutrition. Eat the yolks, which are primarily composed of all the nutrients. Eggs are one of the best sources of choline available since they include all nine essential amino acids and are a highly concentrated source of vitamins and minerals. The best eggs are pastured or omega-3 enhanced.

But if you are on a heart-healthy diet, yoks may not be suitable for you.

How long can egg whites last?

In the fridge egg, whites have a comparatively short shelf life compared to a whole egg. The egg whites will only last a couple of days in the fridge.

But don’t lose heart, you can freeze egg whites, and they thaw fast. If you have an abundance of egg whites or have bought a carton of egg whites, you can freeze them and extend their shelf life up to three months.

You’re thinking, how can I thaw a block of egg whites? We have you covered. Place your egg whites in individual ice cube sections and freeze this way. If you eat egg whites for breakfast and nothing else, then you could measure the desired amount, store them in a zip lock bag, and freeze them. If you can freeze the egg whites flat, then it will be super fast to defrost and cook.

Please note, if you have defrosted your egg whites, you can put them back in the freezer, so freeze your egg whites sensibly.

How long are liquid eggs good after the expiration date?

For verification, you can check out foodsaftey.gov for accurate information, but to transfer their recommendations, foodsafty.gov says liquid eggs are good for three days only in the fridge.

You may take the view that government agencies like food safety.com always err on the side of caution, and you could push another day from your egg whites.

Can I use egg whites past the expiration date?

Expiry dates can be the cause of a lot of confusion. In some foods, the expiry date is just an indicator that the product will start to degrade after the expiry date.

But with eggs, the expiry date should be given great attention. There is a suggestion if you have a carton of egg whites and it has not been opened but has been refrigerated, the eggs should be ok. They have not been exposed to bacteria. 

Food safety can be a case of common sense, if your eggs smell funky, then they are funky, and you should put them in the garbage.

Can you eat eggs two months out of date?

If you eat egg whites sporadically, the best way to get your egg whites is to separate the eggs yourself. This will achieve two things, your egg cracking and separation skills will be elevated to the pro level, but more than that, your eggs last a lot longer in the shell.

If you have whole eggs that have expired, you can treat the expiry date as a guideline. The eggs will start to degrade and eventually become rotten, but eggs two months out of date and refrigerated are typically OK to eat.

Top tips.

When cracking the shells and separating the egg white from the yolks, place the egg white into an individual container, not one bowl. If you have a bad egg over a bowl, all of the egg whites will be contaminated and need to be thrown in the garbage.

Use an eggshell to retrieve broken egg shells in the egg whites; eggs adhere to the shell better.

Do refrigerated eggs go bad?

Eggs are a natural product and, therefore, will expire and go bad, but it does take time, and if the egg has been refrigerated and the eggshells are without hairline cracks, the egg will last for up to 3 months and maybe longer.

Always try to purchase the freshest eggs you can to extend the shelf life of the eggs.

How do you know if eggs are fresh?

At the store, you can only go by the carton’s best-before date or the expiry date. But when you get home, if you fill a bowl of water and place a fresh egg in the water, the egg will sing and lay on its side. This indicates the egg is fresh.

However, if the eggs are slightly buoyant, it doesn’t mean they are bad, just not as fresh as they could be.

How do I know if my egg whites have gone bad?

First, the egg white will become opaque and lose its transparent appearance. If you have cloudy egg whites, don’t eat them.

The second indicator is the smell. Your nose never lies. Bad egg whites smell sulfur, which is indistinguishable, and you need to throw the egg whites immediately.

Third, your eggs could take on a shade of green or an iridescent look, and the egg white is loaded with bacteria and should be thrown away immediately.

If you feel egg whites are borderline and decide to cook the egg whites, you will be able to taste the sulfur flavor in your mouth. If you consume these eggs, you risk serious food poisoning.

Can you get Salmonella poisoning from egg whites?

If you consume raw eggs there is a risk of getting salmonella poisoning. It’s also worth noting that when you prepare egg whites, you should never cross-contaminate your utensils, inadvertently causing you to ingest raw egg whites.

While salmonella food poisoning is a big deal and can require hospitalization, thoroughly cooking your egg whites will reduce the risk of salmonella poisoning. With improved farming and tighter regulations, salmonella is not so prevalent these days.

What’s the best temperature to keep egg whites in the fridge?

Your unopened liquid egg whites should survive for around ten days if stored in ideal conditions, at or below 4 C/39 F, and away from warm drafts when the door is opened. After being opened, this period is reduced to three days. 

Since fresh egg whites only last 3–4 days in the fridge, it is preferable to crack them as needed.

Final thoughts:

It’s a delicate balance between convenience and waste buying egg whites in a carton unless you know you can eat them all quickly. Freezing egg whites is the way to extend your egg whites’ life. They can last for months in their freezer.

Not so convenient but getting the maximum life out of your eggs is to buy while eggs and separate the egg whites yourself. Eggs in the fridge can last up to three months, and once you have got the knack of separating egg yolks from the white it’s an easy process.

Finally, egg whites do expire in spectacular fashion that can stink the kitchen out, if not the house.