If you’re a frequent home cook and baker, there’s a good chance that you’ve found yourself with extra egg yolks in your refrigerator. That’s because recipes like an egg white omelette for breakfast or meringue-based desserts like macaroons and pavlovas call for a whole lot of egg whites, which leaves you with several egg yolks in your refrigerator. Before you throw them out, there are so many other recipes you can make that call for their sunny yellow counterpart. If you’re wondering what to do with all of those extra egg yolks, Ree has got you covered. Ahead, find sweet and savory recipes that call for egg yolks only so you can eliminate food waste and cook better.
What do I do with leftover egg yolks?
First things first: don’t throw them out! Leftover egg yolks are liquid gold and can be used for so many recipes. Here are some of Ree’s favorite uses for leftover egg yolks:
Chocolate Desserts
Impress the chocolate lover in your life with homemade chocolate mousse, a rich and silky dessert that is make-ahead friendly. Ree’s recipe calls for three egg yolks, which are gently cooked (so you don’t need to worry about consuming raw eggs!). If you still have some yolks left, make this mesmerizing Molten Chocolate Cake.
Fruit Curd
To make a fantastic lemon curd, you’ll need both whole eggs and egg yolks for a rich and velvety texture. This is Ree’s favorite recipe, which you can use as the base for lemon meringue pie, serve it with scones or biscuits, or drizzle over fresh summer berries. Want to make an orange curd or lime curd? Swap the lemon juice with equal parts of your preferred citrus fruit.
Ice Cream
One of the key ingredients in homemade ice cream is egg yolks—and a lot of them. Ree’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream calls for a whopping eight egg yolks. It’s hard to imagine a more delicious way to utilize your leftovers than this cool and creamy recipe. When the holidays roll around, try this festive Peppermint Ice Cream.
Pies
Make dessert so much sweeter by avoiding food waste! From Key Lime Pie to Coconut Cream Pie to Boston Cream Pie (okay, that’s technically a cake), all of these recipes utilize egg yolks to help create a rich, lickable custard filling.
Pudding
You can’t make pudding without egg yolks. While there are so many flavors (all of which are delicious!), Ree has shared a couple of recipes for Chocolate Pudding and Butterscotch Pudding. Both call for egg yolks (not whole eggs), which helps to create a smooth and creamy dessert.
Salad Dressing and Sauces
Whip up a creamy salad dressing using extra egg yolks. Ree’s Caesar Dressing calls for an added egg yolk, which makes it extra rich and silky so that it perfectly coats crunchy romaine lettuce.
You can also use leftover egg yolks to make homemade aioli, which is the perfect condiment for spreading on burgers or using as a dip for French fries. Hosting brunch? Use your leftover yolks to make a creamy hollandaise sauce, which you can drizzle over eggs Benedict or roasted vegetables like asparagus.
Side Dishes
Eggs are so much more than a breakfast food or an ingredient used for baked goods. If you have leftover yolks, you’re well on your way to making Ree’s favorite Dutchess Potatoes. This fun and frilly potato side dish is made with heavy cream, egg yolks, and butter. Who would pass that up?
Can you freeze egg yolks for later use?
Yes, you can freeze egg yolks! According to the USDA, it’s best to freeze eggs that have been removed from their shells. The texture and consistency of the yolks may be compromised once frozen but you’ll still be able to use them for cooking and baking.
For the best results, beat the egg yolks with salt and granulated sugar or corn syrup before freezing. Store the beaten yolks in an airtight container or an ice cube tray for up to one year. Thaw fully before using.
How long do leftover egg yolks last in the fridge?
Don’t throw them out! If you used egg whites only for an omelet, meringue, or angel food cake, you can save the remaining yolks. If stored properly in an airtight container, leftover egg yolks will last for up to four days in the refrigerator.
