Wondering what to do with leftover egg yolks? From storage tips to creative uses and recipes, this guide has everything you need to make the most of those golden, nutritious yolks!
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🥚 Nutrition | 🧊 Storing Leftover Egg Yolks | 👩🍳 What To Do With Egg Yolks | 🍰 Sweet Egg Yolk Recipes | 🍳 Savoury Egg Yolk Recipes
Whether you’re whipping up stiff peaks in your mixer or trying to achieve peak performance in the gym, you may find yourself making a lot of recipes using egg whites. This leaves you with lots of yolks, but it would be pretty silly to toss them – especially since they’re the most nutritious part!
Egg yolks may not be the protein-dominant component of an egg, but they are the nutritious part. Egg whites lack fat which makes them useful for certain applications while the yolk is key for others. For example, the yolk is a binding ingredient, and it’s the secret to dreamy custard desserts.
Egg yolks can be enjoyed in many ways but before I get into it, let’s look at why this part of the egg is so good for you.
Egg Yolk Nutrition
While egg whites are known for protein, yolks are rich in good fats (although they do also contain some protein!). In addition, the yolks pack a punch when it comes to a few key vitamins (especially A and Bs) and minerals (like the antioxidant-rich selenium!).
Calories (per yolk): 53 | Protein: 2.6 grams | Carbs: < 1 gram | Fat: 4.4 grams | Vitamin A: 190 mcg (27% RDA*) | Vitamin B12: 1 mcg (24% RDA) | Vitamin B5: 1.5 mg (30% RDA) | Selenium: 28 mg (40% RDA) | RDA = recommended daily allowance
Egg yolks are also one of the highest food sources of choline, with an impressive 147 mg per large egg. It’s an essential nutrient that supports brain health, and memory function, and helps in fetal development during pregnancy.
Yolks are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids (specifically eggs from pasture-fed chickens). The concentration and balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may vary based on the chicken’s diet. Check out this excellent in-depth article on egg yolk nutrition.
Storing Leftover Egg Yolks
Storing egg yolks properly can help you reduce waste and keep them fresh for future use:
- Refrigeration: Place the egg yolks in a small, airtight container. To prevent them from drying out, cover the yolks with a thin layer of water, milk, or plastic wrap pressed directly onto the yolks’ surface. Store in the fridge and use within 2–3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze egg yolks. Beat them gently with a pinch of salt or sugar (this prevents them from becoming too gelatinous when frozen), then transfer them to an ice cube tray or a freezer-safe container. Label the container with the date and use it within 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
When you’re ready to use them, simply drain any liquid or thaw the yolks and use them in your recipe.
What To Do With Egg Yolks
Egg yolks are incredibly versatile in cooking, serving several key functions. Let’s get some chef’s lingo under your belt!
- Emulsifying: Egg yolks are natural emulsifiers, meaning they help combine ingredients that normally don’t mix well, like oil and water. This is essential in sauces like mayonnaise, hollandaise, and salad dressings, where the yolks create a smooth, stable mixture.
- Thickening: When gently heated, egg yolks thicken mixtures, making them ideal for custards, creams, and sauces like crème anglaise or pastry cream. The proteins in the yolks coagulate as they cook, giving these dishes their smooth, creamy texture.
- Enriching: Egg yolks add richness, colour, and flavour to dishes. They’re used in cakes, cookies, and breads to enhance the texture and taste, making the end product more tender and flavourful.
- Binding: In recipes like meatloaf or meatballs, egg yolks act as a binder, helping to hold ingredients together and creating a cohesive mixture.
- Glazing: Brushing a mixture of egg yolk and a little water or milk over pastries or breads before baking gives them a shiny, golden-brown finish.
- Baking: In baked goods, egg yolks contribute to a tender crumb and add moisture, making cakes and cookies softer and richer.
Egg yolks are essential for adding depth, texture, and stability to a wide range of dishes.
Egg Yolk Recipes
There’s so much to do with egg yolks, especially if you enjoy baking. If you prefer a savoury recipe, stay with me — I’m sharing plenty of both.
Sweet Egg Yolk Recipes
Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée
This 5-ingredient crème brûlée looks way more involved than it actually is. This recipe stands out with flakes of fresh vanilla bean and that crackly, golden finish. Recipe from Confessions Of A Baking Queen. Calories (per serving): 574, Protein: 3 grams, Carbs: 39 grams, Fat: 45 grams
Super Easy French Buttercream
Egg yolks give this ultra-light, just-sweet French buttercream a pudding-like consistency, excellent for serving as-is or whipped for a slightly different texture. Recipe from Sweet + Savory. Calories (per serving): 47, Protein: 1 gram, Carbs: 2 grams, Fat: 4 grams
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These gooey, chocolate-studded beauties are so tempting, made from cookie dough with all yolk and no whites for an ultra decadent dessert. Recipe from Sugared & Stirred. Calories (per serving): 457, Protein: 6 grams. Carbs: 57 grams, Fat: 23 grams
Jiggly Japanese Cheesecake
This fluffy, show-stopper of a cake will turn heads with its height and win over hearts with its taste. Recipe from Takes Two Eggs. Calories (per serving): 224, Protein: 12 grams, Carbs: 25 grams, Fat: 8 grams
Malasadas
These gorgeous, passion fruit-infused donuts are inspired by the traditional Portuguese recipe found all over the Hawaiian islands to this day. Recipe from Favorite Family Recipes. Calories (per serving): 296, Protein: 1 gram, Carbs: 61 grams, Fat: 6 grams
Chocolate Pudding Pie
This pie uses the whole egg, a little extra yolk, and even some whites for a variety of textures in this silky smooth dessert suitable for any self-proclaimed chocoholic. Recipe from The Scran Line. Calories (per serving): 464, Protein: 7 grams, Carbs: 39 grams, Fat: 29 grams
Strawberry Matcha Cream Puffs
For those advanced bakers and French patisserie enthusiasts out there, these matcha cream puffs with a choux dough are a stellar weekend project. Recipe from Takes Two Eggs. Calories (per serving): 293, Protein: 8 grams, Carbs: 26 grams, Fat: 18 grams
Lemon Curd
Lemon curd (or any fruit curd) is a simple, 4-ingredient recipe using lots of egg yolks. This is a great recipe to preserve, and it makes a nice homemade gift. Recipe from Preppy Kitchen. Calories (per serving): 197, Protein: 2 grams, Carbs: 21 grams, Fat: 12 grams
Raspberry Brownie Pie
This decadent pie features three heavenly layers: a chewy brownie base, tart raspberry curd filling, and fluffy whipped topping. Recipe from Buttermilk By Sam. Calories (per serving): 554, Protein: 9 grams, Carbs: 68 grams, Fat: 29 grams
No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
No ice cream machine? No problem. Try this simple, fool-proof template for a vanilla custard ice cream, then experiment with new flavours and add-ins. Recipe from It’s Not Complicated. Calories (per serving): 317, Protein: 3 grams, Carbs: 12 grams, Fat: 29 grams
Savoury Egg Yolk Recipes
Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli
Aioli is a great way to use homemade mayo. This sun-dried tomato variety is tasty on a turkey sandwich or to dip roasted potatoes in. Calories (per serving): 207, Protein: 1 gram, Carbs: 4 grams, Fat: 21 grams
Japanese Mayonnaise (Kewpie Mayo)
Homemade mayo is really easy to make with an immersion blender. Kewpie mayo is creamier than traditional mayo with an umami kick to it. Recipe from Just One Cookbook. Calories (per tablespoon): 93, Protein: < 1 gram, Carbs: < 1 gram, Fat: 11 grams
Pasta Carbonara
Carbonara has a few key ingredients: peas, bacon, cheese, and egg yolk. Try your hand at restaurant-quality pasta sauce at home. Recipe from Family Style Food. Calories (per serving): 810, Protein: 33 grams, Carbs: 94 grams, Fat: 32 grams
Egg Yolk Ravioli (Uova Da Raviolo) With Lemon Pesto
This stunning, homemade pasta dish — essentially a giant ravioli with a runny egg inside — is made with care (and a dozen yolks!) boasting an incredible array of textures and flavours. Recipe from Adventures In Cooking. Calories (per ravioli): 395, Protein: 11 grams, Carbs: 23 grams, Fat: 28 grams
Avgolemono (Greek Lemon Soup)
This sunny dish is a comforting classic with chicken, intense citrus tang, creamy broth, rice, and veggies for a healthy, hearty lunch with a side of Greek salad. Recipe from Carlsbad Cravings. Calories (per serving for 6): 367, Protein: 25 grams, Carbs: 33 grams, Fat: 16 grams
Homestyle Egg Noodles
Start your next batch of healing chicken noodle soup from scratch with this egg noodle recipe – so much better than store-bought! Recipe from Gimme Some Oven. Calories (per serving): 261, Protein: 9 grams, Carbs: 49 grams, Fat: 3 grams
Steak Tartare
This elegant meal couldn’t be easier with its no-cook ease. Choose quality beef and eggs for the best raw taste. Recipe from A Spicy Perspective. Calories (per serving): 291, Protein: 17 grams, Carbs: 4 grams, Fat: 23 grams
Crispy Persian Saffron Rice Cake (Tahchin Morgh)
This Persian dish uses a creamy blend of yoghurt and egg yolks to bake an aromatic cake of saffron-infused rice, barberries, chicken, almonds, and pistachio. Recipe from Yummy Notes. Calories (per serving): 351, Protein: 18 grams, Carbs: 36 grams, Fat: 15 grams
Hollandaise Sauce
Make your favourite brunch at home with this easy homemade hollandaise for any benedict your heart desires. Recipe from Ramona’s Cuisine. Calories (per serving): 100, Protein: 1 gram, Carbs: 1 gram, Fat: 11 grams
Salt Cured Egg Yolks
If you have a lot of egg yolks, look no further than salt-cured yolks. This condiment can add exceptional flavour to nearly anything – sourdough, stir-fry, pasta, and even dessert. P.S. you can freeze them! Recipe from Practical Self Reliance. Calories (per yolk): 53, Protein: 2.6 grams, Carbs: < 1 gram, Fat: 4.4 grams
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