How to Freeze Eggs: Everything You Need to Know
Let’s talk about how to freeze eggs today! For some of you, it may be a surprise that you can freeze your extra eggs. Yes, you can keep them much longer than their use-by date. You may have known this for food products but weren’t sure how to properly do so for eggs.
You may start to think, but what if the power goes out? Well, they will make a great breakfast scrambled in a frying pan outside on a Volcano Stove (which can use three fuel types)! They can also make omelets outside or a breakfast casserole in a Dutch Oven!
When done right, your frozen eggs will have the same taste and texture as when you first bought them. However, I’ll have to warn you that you won’t be able to enjoy your eggs sunny side up. But you can still enjoy them scrambled, in an omelet, or in almost any other recipe calling for eggs.
Related: Powdered Eggs: Everything You Need to Know
How to Freeze Eggs: Everything You Need to Know
There may be a number of reasons why you’d want to freeze your eggs. Perhaps you’re not shopping as often due to the recent weather issues, you’ve found an amazing deal on eggs so you buy lots of eggs, or you simply want to avoid the risk of running out when particular recipe dishes call for them.
Some people don’t use them up fast enough. Fortunately for you, it’s straightforward to freeze eggs and preserve them for a longer period. Here’s how to freeze your eggs, along with other answers to other egg-related questions.
Benefits of Freezing Eggs
Some of these I’ve already pointed out, but freezing eggs gives you more flexibility in when and how to use your eggs. For starters, it saves you money when you find a great deal. It can also save you on prepping time when you already have them mixed and ready to use.
Freezing eggs also frees up space in your refrigerator and provides an extra supply so you don’t run out of eggs.
Which Container Do I Use?
There are several different ways to store your frozen eggs. You can use a Ziploc freezer bag, sealable freezer containers, or ice tray. It’s really up to you which method you prefer to use. Souper Containers or Silicone Containers.
Freezing Methods
I froze the whole egg for the next few pictures and rarely use egg yolks or egg whites separately.
There’s more than one way that you can freeze your eggs safely and properly. Some people freeze the whole egg like I did, while others freeze the yolk and the egg whites separately.
Freezing Whole Eggs
In order to properly freeze a whole egg, all you need to do is use a whisk to mix them gently in a mixing bowl and place them in a lightly greased ice cube tray, or in a freezer-safe bag or container. If you’re dealing with a lot of recipes that are only calling for an individual egg, you can just pull one egg from the container and put the rest back in the freezer. Be sure and use a vegetable spray when using silicone containers or ice trays.
For me, it makes more sense to use an ice cube tray that can keep them separated. Once frozen, it’s okay to move them to a single Ziploc bag or container to help with space. These are similar to the silicone containers I used: Silicone Containers
Freezing Egg Yolks
Freezing egg yolks and egg whites is also easy. Once they have thawed, it really only depends on how you plan on using them. Doing so can also give you more flexibility for certain recipes.
If you’re cooking with them, you only need to add a pinch of salt to prevent them from thickening while they’re frozen.
If you’re thinking about using your eggs for baking delicious desserts, add 1 ½ teaspoons of sugar to each egg yolk and place them in an individual ice tray or a freezer-safe bag or container.
Freezing Egg Whites
Egg whites freeze well when placed individually in an ice cube tray. Once they’ve frozen separately, it’s okay to combine them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Can You Freeze Hard-Boiled Eggs?
No, just to put it bluntly. Hard-boiled eggs can last in your refrigerator for up to one week but shouldn’t be stored in your freezer. If you do, you’ll discover that the egg white becomes rather rubbery, and the yolk becomes more powdery than an edible solid.
Thawing Your Eggs
Thawing your eggs is rather simple. All you need to do is move them to your refrigerator, where they will remain cool. Resist the temptation of thawing your eggs at room temperature. Doing so can allow harmful bacteria to grow. Just remember to label your bag of eggs ahead of time so that you know how many eggs you used and any seasonings you may have already put in them.
How Long Will They Last?
Chicken eggs can last up to a year in your freezer, making them an important protein option and ingredient to have on hand, especially during an emergency. Eggs that have already been cooked will last between 2 and 3 months.
What Size Eggs Are Best to Freeze?
It’s really a personal preference, but I like to freeze large or extra-large eggs. They typically don’t cost much more and most recipes call for the equivalent of large eggs. I always try to freeze my eggs when I have fresh eggs rather than let them get too old. It may just be me, but I feel my recipes turn out much better when I use fresh ingredients.
Final Word
The answer is no if you’re still wondering whether you can freeze a whole egg in its shell. Doing so can cause the shell to crack and you’ll have more of a mess to deal with. You’ll also find out that freezing eggs this way can cause the yolk to become too syrupy and thick. The consistency in your recipes won’t turn out how you like it.
In what ways would you find it helpful in order to freeze and store your eggs for later use? What did you think about freezing eggs? Thanks for thinking of new ways to be prepared. May God bless this world. Linda
Copyright Images: Eggs Fresh In A Basket AdobeStock_274753711 by Nitr
This is interesting. I’m always geared towards complete meltdown so water glassing in lime is my best option but as I look at the numerous “slow boiling frog” scenarios happening and fixing to happen this fall I think I’ll try this. My girls are still producing good this summer due to a mild summer so maybe they will give me enough to do both methods.
If nothing else it’ll help get through molt/winter.
Linda, thank you so much for this info! It’s a big space saver and a way to stock up while prices are down and supply plentiful. The bags can fit nicely in the freezer door, which don’t get used much in my household. Now to call my sis who just got 8 doz eggs for free!
Oh, thank you for this article! M an old sailor, and before a long cruise (6 months) we’d meet on the dock with Vasoline and the freshest, cleanest mess of eggs we could buy. Each whole egg shell was hand smeared with Vasoline and lovingly packed back into the egg carton. They were pretty fresh the whole cruise.
Hi Lynn, what a great comment!! I would call these the cruise eggs! How fun! Linda
Hi Wendy, 8 dozen eggs, oh my gosh!! That’s awesome! You can freeze them in muffin tins (spray with vegetable spray) as well. Life is so good! Linda
It was rather strange this past spring when we were limited to two cartons of eggs, When (!) the stores had any in stock, as I remembered the days when I had 10 hens and so many eggs, I gave them for free. My sons said maybe we should get chickens again. I simply asked if they were willing to do All the care of any chickens…a lot of hee-humming done. I simply bought eggs from one of my neighbors who were deluged with eggs like I’d been. I insisted on paying because I know how much work goes into hens year-round. Your tip on freezing will work well, just in case my neighbors make hen stew…
Hi Wendy, hen stew, oh my gosh!! Now, I have the giggles! I have never had chickens, but I know people love having them. My HOA would fine me BIG time if I had chickens. I know some bloggers have written the HOA’s have to let you, not where I live. Linda
Linda, my sister was glad I passed your info to her. She is quite new to ‘stocking up’ (tho our mom certainly did this, lol). She has recently been stopping at a food giveaway place but she only has one frig and a very small chest freezer. She’s been learning to dehydrate veggies and fruits so she’s getting more freezer space but geez, 8 cartons take a lot of frig space. Lol, I just got done doing 6 eggs into an ice cube tray, and I told her I’d let her know how they cook tomorrow. I added a bit of sea salt to each, but am thinking I’d like to try crushed red pepper flakes or red pepper seeds as my guys like Mexican scrambled eggs. Uh oh, frozen seasoned eggs might be my new cuisine prep.
Hi Wendy, oh the red pepper flakes, yummy!! That’s a great idea! I just never want to run out of eggs and be limited to one carton every two weeks or whatever the rules are that week! We can freeze eggs and pray the freezer doesn’t go out. Linda
Hi Matt, I’m with you on something that is going to happen this fall. We all need to be prepared. I just hope you are retired before it all hits! God bless our world, my friend! Linda
Unfortunately no I can’t retire till spring. I’m gonna have to ride this final wave. Even that retirement is not looking as good. The master plan is falling apart lol. No cool Florida trip and the retirement gig was school security but with homeschooling no one wants me sitting on their couch, wearing a gun, scowling and eating potato chips LOL. Ahh well things rarely go smoothly anyway in life.
Maybe I’ll just get more chickens.
Oh Matt, now I have the giggles, the couch!!! Oh my gosh! Man, the Florida trip, dang! Stay safe, Linda
Can you tell me what you think may be coming in fall? More paid rioters in large numbers? Power problems? I’m just curious…
Hi Cara, I wish I knew, but I do not. It seems obvious that the election will bring more I’m sure, not positive, but we need to be REAL. I’m extremely worried about our food chain. Please stock up with food you will eat. My biggest concern is food will be scarce. If you haven’t read “Lights Out” by Ted Koppel, I highly recommend you read it. It’s the real deal, our power grid is very vulnerable. Our country is not prepared at all. Please stock up, and be prepared to shelter in place. Linda
Thank you so much for your reply, I will get the book you suggested since I know nothing about the grid subject… So very glad I found your helpful website! I tell my family & kids that in the end, good always wins -but dark forces are putting up a big fight right now. We will stock up ! 🙂
Hi Cara, thank you, good always wins, is so right! Linda
Linda – question: Why add the salt and/or sugar to eggs before freezing? I don’t want to have frozen eggs separated for just baking or just cooking. Can they be frozen without salt or sugar? Would the consistency when thawed be “off” without?
Since I don’t have a lot of freezer space, I think I might try this with just half a dozen eggs to start and see if I like them. I generally only use eggs for baking but once in a while I want a scrambled egg for breakfast. My favorite egg, though, is boiled and if those are not to be frozen, fresh is best for me.
I am pretty fortunate that I can purchase 1/2 dozen eggs rather than a full dozen at a couple of local grocery stores. This eliminates a lot of waste (prior to freezing information) but also leaves me with fewer eggs if I get the itch to bake!! Sometimes I want to bake something that requires 2-3 eggs and I only have 1! So having some frozen would be a great way to go.
Thanks for this information.
Hi Leanne, the salt is only for storing the yolks. When I was researching how to freeze eggs, that’s what they said just for yolks. I only freeze the whole eggs (after blending them) and it’s awesome. I’m with you we use very little eggs but sometimes I need three and I only have one in the frig. This will help me when I want to bake or make a 2 egg omelet! I still wonder about freezing the hard-boiled egg!! Everything I read said the white would be rubbery. The next time I go to a “salad bar” I’m going to ask if the eggs they have sitting which seem very cold (as in frozen) in the salad bar came in a frozen state!! Linda
Thanks for the reply, Linda. I’ll be doing some shopping in the next few days and will pick up a half dozen eggs to freeze to see if I like them.
Hello Linda, I have frozen eggs over the years and it works great. But I have also frozen fried eggs on breakfast sandwiches and they were fine when thawed.
Hi Cheri, oh my gosh!! This is a game-changer! I know I had a friend who made circle fried eggs and froze them on English Muffins! Now, I need to do that! Thank you! Linda
Hi Linda, can you tell me how long it takes a frozen egg to defrost in the fridge? Sometimes my sweet tooth strikes and I want to make something right off. I wanted to be prepared for the wait time.
Thanks
Hi Marcia, oh my gosh, I know where you’re coming from. I want to make some brownies right now! LOL! Here’s the deal, they are “squares” ( at least mine are) that have to defrost safely in the frig. If I tried to defrost them in the microwave I may have “scrambled eggs”. I just put them in the frig the night before and they are ready the next afternoon. I would not think these are the eggs you want for that sweet tooth snack. Great question, Linda
Hi Linda, I just happened onto your article about freezing eggs and so glad that I did. I’ve known that you can freeze eggs, but wasn’t sure how. I have been a prepper for many years now, but due to financial constraints haven’t been able to “stock up” as well as I would have liked. However, I am all set and could last for about 1-2 years without a trip to the grocers, except for fresh produce. One day soon, would love to start a hydroponic garden (small of course) for those fresh greens. For the past 3 months, have been canning everything I could get my hands on. Our spare bedroom is our “grocery store”.
I don’t know why I’m “rambling on about all of this”, but wanted to let you know that I look forward to your emails on a daily basis. and truly appreciate all the work that you do to keep the general public informed. Keep up the good work.
Hi Suzanne, oh my gosh, you never ramble, I LOVE hearing everything from you! My guest room is our grocery store as well! I want so badly to start a hydroponic small garden, oh my gosh!! I love canning, it feels so good having food in our “grocery store”!! I need to do some research on hydroponic gardens. If you hear something let me know. I need to get on this asap! Thanks for the reminder! Linda
Hi LInda, I got a FREE book on hydroponics through the internet from Susan Petersen. I don’t remember the exact internet address, but she is a master gardener as well as a number of other things, that I can’t remember at the moment. Look up her name and you’ll find her address. The free book is full of everything you need to know about hydroponics. I’ll be doing more research this winter and will keep you posted on any other literature I find. Please do the same for me.
Hi Suzanne, I’m on it, I will do some research, thanks for the name. Linda
Great ideas here Linda, didn’t think about using containers to freeze eggs. Mine are all freeze dried and put into mylar bags, scrambled. Now when I only need a few eggs I will use the container method.
love the powered eggs I got from Be Prepared . com Add water to the power as directed and I can bake anything I like whenever I like w/o worrying if I have eggs in the frig. Won’t make a fried egg of course, but so convenient…..no pieces of egg shells in my foods either. Same for the powdered butter which I love for baking, etc. If recipe calls for melted butter, I just use the powdered with water as directed ….no mess, no fuss. Love both and would not do w/o ever.
Hi Sandra, oh I love your comment, it’s good hearing from someone who likes a certain brand. I like their products I have not tried their butter or eggs, I will now. thank you! Linda
Linda,
My birds are molting right now so egg production is down, but we have an old fridge out in our garage that I store eggs in. Right now I have 10 dozen in it. I don’t wash the bloom off the eggs, just stick them in egg cartons and put them in the fridge. They stay fresh for months. Before I got chickens, when I was buying eggs from the store I’d coat them with food grade mineral oil and they were good for long term storage (also months). Keep in mind that store bought eggs are usually at least 3 weeks old before you buy them.
I’ve never frozen eggs before but I’m going to give it a try. It’s one more option.
During peak production I often have 12 or 15 dozen eggs in that fridge (despite giving dozens away to neighbors and friends). My 8 hen flock consists of 1 Dominique hen, and 7 Delawares. They range in age from 1 1/2 years to 3 years. Right now, I’m buying new birds every couple of years but am seriously considering getting a rooster to make my flock sustainable. (I’ll be talking to my neighbors about that, as several of them have chickens too, but none have roosters).
Off topic: My Snow Peas, Carrots, Lettuce, Spinach, Cabbage, and Pak Choi are all up and thriving. My tomatoes are producing again. Cucumbers are still giving me cukes and my Tohono O’odham Watermelon has one ripening on the vine. Things are good in the gardens. Oh, that watermelon is an ancient Pueblo Indian variety–yellow fleshed and very sweet and juicy. Lots of seeds, but it’s an heirloom so who cares. I bought a packet from Native American Seeds 3 years ago and am on my third generation producing sustainable watermelon.
Hi Ray, oh my gosh, you have a gold mine in those chickens, my friend! What a blessing!! I have a neighbor with chickens and one of her hens thinks shes a rooster. LOL! I get the giggles every time I hear her crow in the morning. Your garden, with all your experience growing so many different food items is the best thing ever! I LOVE hearing what you are growing. That watermelon sounds amazing, my mouth is watering! Love this, Linda