Egg salad is generally good for 3 to 5 days in the fridge if it’s stored properly in an airtight container at 40 F or below. If it sat out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, toss it sooner; that limit drops to 1 hour when it’s hotter than 90 F.

Storage tips

  • Keep it in the coldest part of the fridge, not the door.
  • Seal it tightly in an airtight container.
  • Label the container with the date so you know when the 3-to-5-day window ends.

When to throw it out

Even if it looks okay, discard egg salad if it smells off, tastes sour, or the texture seems slimy. Food safety guidance is the main reason to stay strict here, since mayo-based salads can spoil quickly.

Bottom line

For a safe rule of thumb, make or open egg salad and plan to eat it within 3 to 5 days.