Numerous recipes require egg whites. But how do you prevent waste by preserving the egg yolks that will only last up to 2 days in the fridge? Well, the good news is that there’s a way to keep them for up to 12 months by storing them in the freezer.
You can freeze egg yolks, but you must do more than just put them in a container in the freezer. Freezing egg yolks will cause them to become jelly-like if not frozen properly. To freeze egg yolks you’ll need to keep them from thickening by adding sugar, salt, or corn syrup.
In this article, I will walk you through everything you need to do to successfully freeze egg yolks. I will also tackle the proper way to defrost frozen eggs and use them in your favorite recipes later down the road.
How To Freeze Egg Yolks (4 Steps)
Egg yolks have a thick consistency, and freezing them without any treatment will cause them to become more viscous, making them unsuitable for cooking. Here’s how to freeze them without them becoming unusable:
Beat the yolks until they are smooth.
Add 1 tsp (5.69 g) of salt or 1 ½ tbsp (14.3 g) for every cup (237 ml) of egg yolks. You can add sugar if you intend to use them for sweet dishes and salt for savory recipes. Corn syrup is another option if you don’t want to use sugar or salt, but you need to use one of those ingredients to prevent their proteins from thickening up. Thoroughly beat the ingredient of your choice into the egg yolk.
Make sure that the egg yolks are firm before storing them. It helps to cover and freeze them in a cupcake tray for 4 to 6 hours before placing them in freezer containers or freezer-safe bags for long-term storage.
Make sure to label the zip-bag or container with the number of egg yolks, the storage date, and if they contain sugar or salt. The label will help you determine the quantity, expiration date, and if you can use them for a main dish or dessert.
The Rezip Lay-Flat Gallon leak-proof reusable storage bag (available on Amazon.com) is ideal for storing your egg yolks. These storage bags have an easy-to-grip zipper that keeps the contents secure and are tested not to leak.
Please take note of the following when freezing and storing egg yolks:
Egg yolks can last up to 12 months when frozen, but it’s best to consume them within six months.
You can only freeze egg yolks once, so it’s a good idea to store them in small quantities.
Only use egg yolks that were frozen in thoroughly cooked food.
How To Defrost Frozen Egg Yolks
To defrost your frozen egg yolks, place them in the refrigerator. Never thaw them out at room temperature, as this can attract bacteria and cause them to spoil.
The amount of time it takes to thaw egg yolks depends heavily on the quantity, but they usually have to spend a night in the fridge. Running them in cold water can speed up the process, but always factor in the time it takes them to thaw when you intend to use them.
Frozen yolks may still form tiny beads despite adding sugar and salt before freezing them. It’s recommended that you whisk the egg yolks with the sugar the recipe calls for before adding any liquids that are part of the recipe.
If the recipe does not contain sugar, just add the liquids in small portions at a time while whisking the egg yolks until they become smooth.
Here are some important things to note when using your frozen egg yolks:
Your egg yolks cannot be cooked directly from a frozen state. You have to thaw them out completely.
Use the egg yolks immediately after defrosting and do not leave them sitting out.
One fresh egg yolk is equivalent to 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of thawed egg yolk.
Delicious Ways To Use Frozen Egg Yolks
Now that you know how to preserve your egg yolks, the next step is figuring out what to do with them before they expire.
You can use egg yolks for various dishes and desserts, such as:
But the truth is, you don’t need a great recipe or a specialty dish to put them to good use. Simply adding a few egg yolks to an omelet or scrambled egg does wonders to give them extra flavor and richness.
If you want more ideas on using egg yolks, you can watch this YouTube video from The Kitchn channel.
Egg yolks can indeed be frozen as long as you follow the proper procedures before storing them.
Freezing egg yolks may require a bit more time and effort, but it’s such a relief to know that they do not have to go to waste, and you have a year to decide what to do with them.
