How to tell if an egg is good: simple tests to confirm this. 2026

Many people wonder how to tell if an egg is still good. After all, this ingredient is part of both sweet and savory dishes. Nothing is more frustrating than having to start over because you cracked a rotten egg into your recipe. Fortunately, some practical tests can help you determine whether or not you can still use the egg. Check them out below!

Table of contents:

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• Egg float test
• Flashlight test
• Shaking test
• Appearance test

Egg Float Test

• Fill a tall container with water;
• Place the egg inside and observe how it behaves;
• If it stays at the bottom, the egg is good. If it floats in the middle, it should be consumed soon. If it rises to the surface, it is rotten.

Flashlight Test

• Turn off the kitchen lights and grab a flashlight;
• Place the narrow end of the egg against the flashlight;
• If the egg shows a clear glow, it is still good;
• If the egg looks darker inside, it may be rotten or no longer suitable for use.

Shaking Test

• Take an egg and shake it gently;
• Preferably, do this close to your ear;
• If you do not hear any sound, the egg is good;
• If you hear movement inside, crack the egg open to confirm, as it is probably rotten.

Appearance Test

• Place a light-colored plate, preferably white, on a table;
• Crack the egg onto the plate;
• Observe the appearance of the yolk;
• The egg white should be firm and the yolk round and floating for the egg to be considered fresh;
• If the egg white is still transparent and firm, but the yolk is slightly sunken and no longer floats as much, it is best to consume the egg soon;
• A flat yolk and watery egg white indicate the egg is rotten, so discard it immediately.

As you can see, learning how to tell if an egg is good is very easy. There are several practical methods, including the last one, which recommends cracking the egg onto a separate plate first. With all these tests, you no longer risk using spoiled eggs in your recipes. Now that we are talking about eggs, take a look at boiled egg recipes, a great way to use eggs that are still good but should be eaten soon.

Best Recipes I Love Making at Home

Cooking homemade meals is one of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh ingredients, save money, and create comforting dishes packed with flavor. From hearty dinners to festive desserts and soft homemade cakes, these easy recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, and special celebrations. I always keep a mix of savory classics and sweet baked treats ready for every occasion.

Easy Chicken and Comfort Food Recipes

When I want simple and satisfying meals, I often prepare recipes from my favorite chicken recipes collection. Some of my go-to dishes include flavorful garlic chicken recipes, rich grandma sauce chicken, homemade chicken shawarma, and authentic homemade doner kebab. I also enjoy making comforting dishes like minced meat soup, stir-fried rice with vegetables, and traditional pepitoria chicken.

Favorite Homemade Desserts and Cakes

For desserts, I love browsing seasonal Christmas dessert recipes and soft homemade cakes from my favorite cake and biscuit recipes. Some standout treats include fluffy chocolate cake, profiteroles with fillings, Italian-style panna cotta, and crepes with Suzette sauce. I also regularly bake homemade apple cake, banana chocolate orange cake, gluten-free lemon yogurt cake, and classic Christmas Yule Log cake.

For even more kitchen inspiration, I also recommend trying this best brine for pork chops recipe to elevate homemade comfort meals with restaurant-quality flavor.

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