Can You Freeze Raw Eggs? How and Should You?

Eggs are a staple food for many households and restaurants. You can freeze raw eggs, but you need to follow specific instructions.

If eggs are a major part of your food rotation, you may have asked yourself the common question: can you freeze an egg?

Eggs are a staple food for many households and restaurants, as their versatility and nutritional value make them easy to incorporate into meals, and they offer several health benefits. Eggs are low in calories and saturated fat but offer high amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them a great way to reach your nutritional goals throughout the day. 

You can prepare eggs to be eaten on their own, or combine them with other ingredients to create things like cakes, omelets, bread, and other food items. 

According to FDA regulations, eggs can be safely stored in your refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. However, there are instances when you may want to save your eggs for later use, whether that be when you are buying them in bulk or when you are nearing the end of 3 weeks of refrigerator storage. 

Although the short answer is that you can freeze eggs, it is important to understand the safety factors of freezing raw eggs, how to properly freeze them, and the effects freezing will have on the eggs.

Much like refrigerator storage recommendations, the FDA also has regulations for freezing your raw eggs. It is recommended that the eggs should not be frozen within their shell and that they should not remain in the freezer longer than a year. 

It is also important to consider which kind of eggs are safe to freeze, as that can greatly affect the quality of an egg once it is thawed. The parts of eggs that are safe to freeze include:

• Egg whites
• Egg yolks
• Whole eggs
• Cooked egg dishes

All in all, it is most important to refrain from freezing your eggs while they are still in their shell. Freezing the egg in the shell can cause the egg's contents, like the yolk and the whites, to expand and break the shell. This poses a threat to your safety, as a broken shell can lead to bacteria contamination within the egg. This also has a great effect on the texture and quality of the egg upon thawing, leaving a thick, syrupy consistency that can make it difficult to mix and cook with once thawed. To avoid this, it is best to freeze eggs once they have been de-shelled, mixed together, separated, or cooked.

There are different ways to go about freezing raw eggs. An important tip when freezing any kind of egg is to label the contents and the date so that you are aware of the freshness of the egg, as well as its type. This will help you remain organized, as well as avoid the use of an egg that is no longer considered safe for consumption.

Consider the following instructions when freezing eggs.

Whole eggs

Thoroughly mix the egg yolks and whites. Take the mixture and place it in a sealable packaging container.

Egg whites and yolks

Begin by cracking your egg. Once it is cracked, you will separate the egg yolk from the egg white, being sure to place them in separate containers. You can place the egg whites directly into their freezer-safe containers. 

Before placing the egg yolks in their containers, though, be sure to mix the yolks until they are fully combined and take on a liquid form.

Cooked egg dishes

Although cooked egg dishes do not include raw eggs, they are another great way to freeze your eggs for later use. It is important to let your dish cool before placing it in the freezer, though, to avoid bacterial growth. Also, keep your cooked egg dish in a tightly sealed container.

The most important thing to consider when thawing and cooking raw eggs is that the cooked egg should always reach a temperature of 160°F, as this will greatly reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. 

When thawing your raw eggs, one option is to leave your frozen egg in the fridge overnight. This will ensure that it is thawed for use the next day. Another option if you are running low on time is to pour warm water over the container until the frozen egg is fully thawed. 

Once your frozen eggs have been thawed, you should plan to cook them within the same day, as this will help reduce the risk of bacterial growth.

You will find that freezing each part of an egg affects it differently. Freezing egg whites provide a satisfactory end result, and they are easy to cook following the thawing process. 

On the other hand, egg yolks may become thick and syrupy in substance, making them less desirable after thawing. In the same way, freezing cooked eggs does not provide the same taste and quality that you would get when eating them directly after cooking. Their texture may become more rubbery during the freezing process.

Unless you have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, chances are good that you have and will continue to have eggs in your kitchen. Consequently, you may find yourself wanting to freeze your raw or cooked eggs so that you can save them for a later date without worrying about them going to waste. 

The good news is that it is considered safe to freeze raw eggs when they are out of the shell and prepared and stored properly (you can also usually freeze cooked egg dishes). Be sure to follow all guidelines and recommendations for freezing and thawing your eggs to ensure your safety.