Can Liquid Eggs Be Frozen?

Okay, so you may be thinking that all eggs are already liquid, right? Well, yes, that’s true. But liquid eggs is an umbrella term for egg substitutes that contain eggs, but just without the shells. The packages (usually cartons) can contain either full eggs with egg yolk or just egg whites.

Liquid eggs can be a great alternative to normal eggs (with the shell and everything) because they can be much more convenient and less of a mess.

You can simply pour out the desired amount, seal the cap and place it in the fridge without having to worry about getting egg all over your hands and disposing of eggshells. Also, when you buy a carton of liquid eggs, you don’t have to worry about accidentally cracking the eggs on your way home from the grocery store. You can also use them in many of the same ways as you can regular eggs. You can easily substitute it when you make an omelet, quiche, scrambled eggs, or in baking.

So, it’s safe to say that liquid egg is a good idea! But what to do if you have too much of it? Can liquid eggs be frozen? Read on to learn everything you need to know about storing liquid egg.

Can You Freeze Liquid Eggs?

Unlike whole eggs, you can easily freeze liquid eggs. While it’s not impossible to freeze whole eggs, it’s much easier and more practical to freeze liquid eggs.

You can even buy certain liquid egg products that are already frozen, which demonstrates how well they freeze. Also, it doesn’t matter if you have a carton of whole liquid eggs or liquid egg whites, you can easily freeze them both using the same techniques that I’ll cover shortly.

Why Would You Freeze Liquid Eggs?

You may be thinking about why should you freeze your liquid eggs. You might also may be wondering if it has any negative impacts on the quality of the eggs. Well, first, if you bought a bulk package of liquid eggs then you may be worried that you may not be able to use it by the expiration date.

Or, perhaps, you have an opened carton of liquid eggs and you won’t be able to use them within the two to six days that they should be used before going bad. Both of these instances are common reasons you may consider freezing liquid eggs.

What Does Freezing Do to Liquid Eggs?

If you’re wondering if by putting liquid eggs in the freezing you will be degrading their quality, don’t worry, they will keep their quality. Unlike many other foods, eggs go through quite the transformation when they’re cooked. So while other foods may experience a change in texture after their frozen, you won’t find the same thing happen as quickly with liquid eggs.

How Long Can You Freeze Liquid Eggs For?

It doesn’t matter if the carton is unopened or you store the liquid eggs in a separate air-tight container, they will last the same amount of time in the freezer – up to one year. However, this is if they’re stored correctly.

So, when freezing liquid eggs make sure to closely follow the directions in the next section. Whilst one year is the recommended time limit, before throwing any out that are past the date, you can defrost it and sample it (cooked, of course) before discarding it.

This is because they won’t be inedible after one year but the quality may suffer. So, if you find that it’s still good enough for your needs, you can still use it. Just remember to take the date into consideration and be sure to check the quality before using it in your baking or cooking.

How to Freeze Liquid Eggs

The first thing to consider before freezing liquid eggs is whether they’re still in the package. If they are, then you don’t have to do much as you can store the container directly in the freezer. The only thing you should do beforehand is label the carton with the date so you know when you stored it and you should use within one year of that date for the best quality.

But, if the carton is opened, or you would like to freeze it in smaller portions, then you should freeze it in a freezer bag or freezer safe container. Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to do it:

First, plan on how you’ll freeze the liquid eggs and if you’ll be freezing them in smaller portions. Prepare the number of bags or containers you’ll use. It’s best to have more portions than fewer as it’s easier to take only as many as you’ll need.

Next, if you plan on using freezer bags, you should label them before adding the eggs. If you’re using an airtight container, you can skip the labeling for now.

Pour the eggs into the prepared containers or bags that will not spill or leak. If you use bags, double-bagging them is a safer option.

Carefully seal the packaging.

Place the bags or containers in the freezers. If you’re using containers, make sure that you’ve labeled them before putting them into the freezer.

Now, make sure that you use them within the year.

How to Thaw Liquid Eggs

There are three methods that you can use to thaw frozen egg, however, I really only recommend one of them.

In the Microwave

The first, and quickest method, although I don’t recommend it, is by defrosting it using the microwave settings. This way is the fastest but you risk a disaster if they defrost unevenly – the outer portion may start to defrost quicker and start to cook before the center will defrost. You should only use this if you are very short on time and have no other options.

In Cold Water

The next best method is to place the liquid eggs in cold water. This is quicker than the last method I’ll discuss, but slower (and safer) than the microwave method.

To do this simply place the container or bags in cold water until they’re defrosted. You should avoid this method if the eggs are in a cardboard carton, however. The cardboard may start to disintegrate in the water and the eggs may leak.

In the Fridge – Best Option

The safest, and overall best method is by thawing liquid eggs in the fridge. While it may take the longest, it guarantees the best results and the least amount of work.

All you need to do is simply place the liquid eggs in the fridge overnight or for several hours until they’re defrosted. If they are in a plastic bag, first place the bag or bags in a bowl before placing them in the fridge. This is to prevent excess moisture from dripping through your fridge.

After the liquid eggs are defrosted, you should use them within three days of thawing.

Can You Refreeze Liquid Eggs?

No, you shouldn’t refreeze liquid eggs after they’ve been defrosted. This is why it’s a good idea to separate the liquid eggs into the desired amount of portions. This allows you to defrost only what you will need and use all of it within three days.

How to Use Liquid Eggs After Freezing

One of the reasons I recommend freezing liquid eggs if you don’t think you’ll use them all is because you can use them just as you would before they’re frozen. You can easily use them in making:

Frittatas

Egg sandwiches

Scrambled egg

Quiche

Baking

Fried rice

Omelets

And this is not a comprehensive list either. Unless you’re making things that require a full, unbroken yolk like hardboiled eggs, poached eggs, or over-easy fried eggs, then you can easily use defrosted liquid eggs just as you would ‘real eggs’.