You host a brunch, and end up with a plate full of leftover scrambled eggs. What a shame to toss it. Could they possibly be salvaged?
Don't toss them just yet. You can freeze (and then reheat) your scrambled eggs.
Is it a good idea? As with all choices, there are pros and cons. Read on to find out what they are.
Should You Freeze Scrambled Eggs?
You can definitely try; freeze them either cooked or raw.
Cooked:
Pros: They are easy to thaw, and then your meal is already made!
Cons: The freezing and thawing process affects the distribution of moisture within the dish, which means that the texture of your reheated eggs will be affected.
You can minimize this effect by properly thawing the eggs, but it's still something to take into consideration.
Raw:
Pros: You'll have less of a difference in texture when you reheat them, because you're still subjecting them to the cooking process.
Also, frozen raw eggs last longer then frozen cooked ones.
Cons: Because they aren't cooked, you still have to cook them, which takes time. So this is more of a "My eggs are about to go bad, let's save them!" approach than a time-saving one.
How Long do Frozen Scrambled Eggs Last?
Frozen scrambled eggs can last for a long time! They can last up to four months in the freezer. However, for best quality, try to use them within the first two months.
Frozen raw eggs can last up to a year in the freezer!
Best Techniques for Properly Freezing Scrambled Eggs
Freezing cooked eggs
To freeze your scrambled eggs, we have a variety of suggestions:
- Store them flat. This will allow you to 1) reheat it easily in a pan, and 2) stack and save freezer space.
- Split them into individual servings before freezing. This way you can only take out as much as you need, and spare yourself the constant thawing/refreezing of the eggs (which isn't good for them, at all).
- Storing them in air-tight plastic can help prevent "freezer burn".
But maybe you're thinking, I know it's not recommended, but can't I just jam the whole thing into the freezer?
Well, yes, actually, you can. Not the best...but it will do in a pinch.
Freezing raw eggs
If freezing them raw, make sure to thoroughly mix the whites and yolks before freezing. While egg whites freeze just fine, egg yolks do not.
If you haven't thoroughly mixed in your egg yolks, you'll have a mess when you reheat it months later!
Consider adding a pinch of salt or even sugar to help them maintain their consistency when thawed. Then store them in an airtight bag, if you can.
Best Methods to Thaw Frozen Scrambled Eggs
Cooked eggs
1. Take them out the night before and allow to them defrost (you can use the fridge).
2. See the instructions below for tips on re-"cooking" them.
Raw eggs
1. Thaw them in the fridge overnight.
2. Cook thoroughly to kill any bacteria that entered during the thawing process.
Best Methods to Re-"Cook" Thawed Scrambled Eggs
Stovetop
Use an oiled pan and reheat over a low flame. This will give your eggs a crispier texture. Reheat on a medium flame until the desired temperature is reached.
Microwave
While the microwave is a possibility, this is not recommended. However, you can nuke them for about a minute at full power (covered).
How To Tell If My Frozen Eggs Have Gone Bad
There are various ways to determine if an egg has gone bad...However, most of these don't apply to frozen eggs (and definitely not to cooked eggs).
The only trick you really have up your sleeve is the "smell test."
But don't worry too much, because the freezer is fantastic at preserving your food!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can You Freeze Raw liquid Eggs?
Yes, however, the yolks don't freeze well, so you'll want to mix them together before freezing.
Can You Freeze Eggs in the Shell?
In general, no. You don't want to do this. Crack and mix your eggs before freezing.
Can You Freeze Hard-Boiled Eggs?
Yes, you can, but the texture will change upon reheating.
Can You Freeze Egg Whites?
Yes. Freezing egg whites is easy and quite similar to freezing uncooked scrambled eggs.
Can You Freeze Egg Yolks?
In general, no. Egg yolks do not freeze and thaw well.
If you really want to save your egg yolks, combine them first into the other liquids (and sugar/salt/etc) of whatever recipe you're going to make them with.
*Just make sure not to mix it with baking soda/baking powder prematurely, or your recipe won't have any fluff!
Can You Freeze A Cooked Omelet?
Yes. It's similar to frozen scrambled eggs. However, it may not reheat as well as you'd like, depending on what ingredients were added.
Can You Freeze Raw Eggs In A Recipe?
In general, yes. You just have to make sure that the yolks are well combined.
Can You Freeze Liquid Eggs in a Carton?
No. This would be the same as freezing an egg whole. Before freezing raw eggs, you need to separate out the yolks.
How Do I Tell If My Eggs Have Gone Bad?
Here are some fun ways:
1. Try to float it. If it floats, it's bad.
2. Listen for sloshing. You shouldn't hear much. Lots of sloshing = bad.
3. Subject it to the "smell test" after cracking it.
Conclusion
As you can see, eggs are generally quite freezer-friendly. You can freeze and then reheat eggs, and if you do it right, it won't tremendously affect the quality of your cooking.
However, just be aware that each time you freeze and thaw an egg, you damage its integrity just a little. So avoid thawing and re-freezing, if possible.
Thaw frozen eggs overnight in the freezer and then you can even make breakfast in the microwave if you're really pressed for time.
Enjoy!
Jane Sofia
