Can pickled eggs be left on the counter indefinitely?

My fridge is cramped, so if I don't have to keep them refrigerated, that would be helpful. My recipe uses water, vinegar, sugar and pickling spices. Does it depend on the recipe, or can any pickled eggs be left on the counter? And for how long?

every redneck bar I've ever been in seems to think you can leave them and pickled pigs feet out on the counter forever.

honestly, I have no idea if its safe or not.

Pickling was a way to preserve eggs for years before refrigeration. Jarred pickled eggs were used by the US Army for many years along salt pork and hard tack, and beans for supplies.

But I refrigerate mine, if they were to be consumed in a reasonable time I would have no problem leaving them out though.

I would think that if you use a canning process then they could be left out for a long time. But, after they are opened I think you'd probably see some mold appear on the top of them after awhile. Leaving them out for a few days probably wouldn't hurt, but I wouldnt leave them out for a couple weeks. If you do, you may watch for stuff growing inside the jar.

Anyone else have any info on this subject?

Just read one canning recipe that said it should be refrigerated...
How do I? ...Pickle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pickled Eggs
There are no home canning directions for pickled eggs. All of the following pickled egg recipes are for storage in the refrigerator. Pickled eggs should never be at room temperature except for serving time, when they should be limited to no more than 2 hours in the temperature danger zone of 40 to 140 degrees F.

Caution: Home pickled eggs stored at room temperature have caused botulism. For the report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), see http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4934a2.htm The Editorial Note in this report cautions against room temperature pickling and storage, also. The CDC further cautions that to reduce the risk for botulism when pickling, food items should be washed and cooked adequately, and utensils, containers, and other surfaces in contact with food, including cutting boards and hands, should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and warm water. Containers (e.g., jars and lids) in which pickling will occur should be sterilized (e.g., placed in boiling water for a prescribed period).

PICKLING TIPS

Well its a wonder more folks in the south don't die from food poisoning, but the eggs on the counter of every little shop aren't home canned. They are pink too. does anyone add the pink color?

the pink color is usually from beets/beet juice

I've always left mine out. The vinegar and pickling mix or salt serves as a preservative. It won't spoil them to leave them out, but after a month I would dispose of them regardless if refrigerated or not since they are poultry/meat and can grow bacteria.

Mine are always kept in the fridge..
Now if they sealed/canned... then i guess i would keep them out until i opened the jar.. then once the jar is opened, they go in the fridge.