Thanks to the high protein content and versatility to use in countless recipes, eggs have become a staple food consumed worldwide.
Eggs are easy to prepare for one sitting. However, there are inevitable moments when we eventually cook more than our stomach can handle. In this case, you may wonder whether leftovers can be stored and reheated for the next day’s meals.
In this article, we walk you through the crucial details on how to store and reheat leftover eggs. Furthermore, we will share the detailed instructions to reheat them.
Tips To Safely Store and Reheat Cooked Eggs
Eggs are among the most nutritious and affordable food items. No wonder they have become a must-have item to stock up in the kitchen.
Despite their nutritional value, raw eggs are also widely known for their risk of Salmonella contamination, which can cause food poisoning.
To avoid getting sick from consuming them, they need to be handled appropriately, thoroughly cooked, and promptly refrigerated. If you have leftovers, they also need to be reheated accordingly.
Here are the food safety guidelines to store and reheat leftover eggs safely for future serving.(*)
1. Refrigerate promptly. Any leftovers should go in the fridge in 2 hours of cooking or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 °F. To allow quick cooling, transfer the dish to a shallow, airtight container.
2. Consume leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Discard any leftover older than that. Some bacteria may thrive and grow slowly in the fridge. Hence, keeping foods longer than recommended may pose food poisoning risks.
3. Proper reheating. Cooked eggs should be thoroughly reheated to 165 °F (74 °C).
The Right Ways To Reheat Leftover Cooked Eggs
It is easy to name tasty food prepared from this protein source, from the humble hard-boiled eggs, omelet, sunny side up, shakshuka, creamy quiche, frittata, etc. They are delicious and perfect for breakfast or any meal of the day.
Since eggs are a versatile ingredient to use in various cooking methods and recipes, the proper reheating technique also varies, depending on how they are initially cooked.
In the next section, we will go through each technique to reheat all sorts of cooked eggs—more on the detailed instructions below.
Scrambled Eggs
You have two options for reheating this simple dish while keeping it fluffy and moist. The quickest method is, of course, by microwaving them.
Reheating on the stovetop takes slightly longer but yields a better result. Here are the step-to-step instructions for each technique.
Option 1: Microwave
1. Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe container and cover them with plastic wrap.
2. Optional: if the dish looks dried out, add a small amount of water to help moisturize it.
3. Microwave at medium power for 20 second increments.
4. After the first cycle, stir well and remove the excess water on the bottom.
5. Continue reheating for 1 to 2 more cycles, or until it is thoroughly reheated.
6. Serve and enjoy!
Option 2: Stovetop
1. In a non-stick pan, heat up some butter or oil.
2. Add the scrambled eggs and reheat over medium heat for a few minutes.
3. Stir constantly to allow even reheating. Discard any excess water.
4. Optional: To upgrade the leftovers, add shredded cheese or your favorite topping as they reheat.
5. Once the dish is completely heated up, it’s ready to serve!
6. Enjoy!
Hard-boiled Eggs
These humble foods are perfect for salads, sandwiches, or to eat as standalone snacks (in case you’re starving). They’re great to cook in a big batch because they last up to a week in the fridge.
The rule of thumb is to never reheat a boiled egg in the microwave because it can potentially explode. Instead, here is the easy way to reheat it.
1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Once the water is ready, remove the pan out of the stove.
3. Submerge the eggs in hot water, cover the pot, and leave them for about 10 minutes to warm up.
4. Carefully remove them from the pot.
5. Peel and serve to your liking!
Fried Eggs
This simple and humble dish is a perfect example of breakfast favorites. Depending on your preference, you can make it sunny side up, over easy, over medium, or over well.
The challenge is preventing the texture from turning gummy. Follow these simple procedures to reheat fried eggs in the microwave and skillet.
Option 1: Microwave
1. Place the leftovers on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Cover with a wet paper towel to help retain moisture and prevent it from turning rubbery.
3. Microwave for 30 to 60 seconds and flip halfway.
4. Check if they are perfectly warmed up to your liking. If not, pop them back and continue reheating with shorter intervals.
Option 2: Stovetop
1. Add some butter or oil to a non-stick pan.
2. Heat up the fat on medium heat.
3. Place the egg and reheat for 2 to 3 minutes until thoroughly warmed up. No need to flip if it’s heated through.
Poached Eggs
Reheating poached eggs follows similar procedures to how they are cooked for the first time. Here is how to do it.
1. In a saucepan, bring water to a simmer (not boiling).
2. When the water is simmering, carefully place the egg into the pan.
The techniques below are perfect for reheating baked dishes prepared with eggs and other ingredients, such as omelets, quiche, frittata, and so on.
Option 1: Oven
1. Preheat the oven to 325 to 350 F.
2. Take the leftovers out of the fridge. Let them stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Place them in a baking dish and cover them with aluminum foil.
4. Bake for 15 to 30 minutes. Add 10 to 20 minutes to reheat from frozen.
5. Check to see if the center has reached at least 165 F.
Option 2: Microwave
It is worth noting that while microwaving is the quickest way to reheat quiche slices, the crust can become soggy. If you have enough time, reheating in the oven is highly recommended.
1. Place leftovers in a microwave-safe container.
2. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes over medium power.
3. Check they are heated through. If necessary, continue reheating with a 30-seconds interval.
4. Serve immediately.
FAQs
Is it okay to leave cooked eggs on the counter?
No. They should be refrigerated promptly within 2 hours of cooking. Leaving them on the counter or at room temperature gives the harmful bacteria to grow, making them unsafe to eat.
Can you reheat eggs twice?
Technically, you can. However, even reheating only once decreases the quality. The second reheating will impair the quality even worse.
Moreover, cooked eggs shouldn’t be left standing at room temperature longer than two hours. So, reheating twice is not recommended.
How long do cooked eggs last?
The shelf life of eggs may vary depending on how they were prepared. Unpeeled hard-boiled ones can be saved for up to a week in the fridge. Meanwhile, baked dishes such as quiche, pie, casserole typically stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days.
Can you freeze eggs?
Freezing raw eggs in shells is not recommended due to safety concerns. But you can freeze various forms of cooked eggs. It is also possible to freeze the white and yolk separately.
In A Nutshell
As a rule of thumb, cooked eggs need to be kept refrigerated within two hours of cooking. Shortly before serving, reheat them until the interior reaches165 °F (74 °C).
Due to various ways of cooking, the proper way to reheat cooked eggs also varies depending on how they were initially prepared. Check our tips and detailed instructions above to gain the optimum results.
Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability.
