Eggs are, without a doubt, one of the healthiest, most nutrient-dense foods out there.
Loaded with protein, healthy fats, minerals, and vitamin B12, it is no wonder that people all over the world cultivate and store eggs year-round.
Below are ten ways you can store your eggs and ensure a source of high-quality protein well into the future.
Get Cracking on These 10 Long-Term Egg Storage Ideas
1. Refrigeration
One of the most common and accessible ways to store eggs, of course, is in the refrigerator. I would wager most people around the world have chicken eggs in their fridge on any given day.
Storing eggs in the refrigerator seems like a no-brainer and not something you need to read up on, but there are actually better and worse ways to do it.
Here’s how:
- Keep the eggs in their original carton to prevent moisture loss and protect them from absorbing odors.
- Store them in the coldest part of the fridge (not in the door). The further back you keep them, the less likely they are to warm and spoil.
How Long Will Eggs Last in the Refrigerator?
If you put them in fresh, eggs should last between 3-5 weeks in the refrigerator, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
2. Freezing Eggs
If you’ve got more eggs that you can use in the short term, you can also freeze them.
Here’s how to freeze eggs.
Step 1: Crack and Beat
Start by cracking and beating the eggs until the whites and yolks are thoroughly mixed, which prevents the yolk from becoming too gelatinous after freezing.
Step 2: Place Mixture in Containers
For convenience, you can pour the egg mixture into ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers, allowing you to defrost only the amount you need later.
How Long Will Frozen Eggs Last?
Frozen eggs will keep for up to a year, although it is recommended to use them within 4 months for maximum freshness. Just make sure you label any egg containers with the date you put them in the freezer for extra safety.
3. Dehydrating Eggs
Dehydrating eggs is a great method if you’re looking for lightweight, portable, and shelf-stable eggs for long-term storage or travel.
Here’s how you dehydrate eggs for long term storage:
- To begin, crack the eggs, beat them well, and cook them until they are fully scrambled. The cooked eggs are then spread in a thin layer on dehydrator trays and dried at a low temperature (around 160°F or 71°C) for around 10 hours until they’re completely dry. Lower temperatures may increase chance of Salmonella.
- Alternatively, to dehydrate raw eggs, use dehydrator sheets designed to hold liquids. Crack and beat the eggs, pour them onto the sheet and dehydrate until completely dry.
- Once dried, blend the eggs into a powder using a food processor or blender for easy storage and use. Store the powder in an airtight container to prevent moisture from re-entering and causing spoilage.
How Long Will Dehydrated Eggs Last?
According to the American Egg Board, “Plain whole egg solids or powdered eggs have a shelf life of about one month at room temperature and about a year at refrigerated temperatures.”
Properly stored in an oxygen-free environment (mylar bag with oxygen absorber) and kept cool and dark, dehydrated eggs allegedly have a storage life of five to 10 years.
They work well for baking and cooking and are lightweight and easy to take on the go.
4. Coating with Mineral Oil
Coating eggs with mineral oil helps extend their shelf life by sealing the porous shell, preventing oxygen and bacteria from entering.
Here’s how to preserve and store eggs using the mineral oil method.
Step 1: Get Some Food-Grade Mineral Oil
If you are wondering what food-grade mineral oil is and does, here’s a quick run-down from Foodsafe Lubes.
Warm the oil and gently rub a thin layer onto each egg, ensuring the entire surface is coated. The oil acts as a barrier, maintaining the eggs’ natural moisture and preventing them from drying out.
Step 2: Store Your Eggs
After coating your eggs, store them at room temperature in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cellar, ensuring that they aren’t exposed to extreme heat or cold, which could spoil them.
How Long Will Mineral Oil-Coated Eggs Last?
Mineral oil-coated eggs stored in the fridge can last up to 10 weeks longer (15 vs 5 weeks) than uncoated refrigerated eggs.
5. Freeze-Drying
Freeze-drying is a highly effective method for preserving eggs (and so much else) for decades, especially if you’re preparing eggs for emergencies or long-term storage.
Here’s how to freeze dry eggs.
Begin by cracking and beating the eggs. Once well beaten, pour the mixture onto freeze-dryer trays. The freeze-drying process removes all moisture from the eggs while preserving their nutritional content, allowing them to be rehydrated later for use in cooking or baking.
Place in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Once the freeze-drying is complete, store the eggs in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers to prevent air and moisture from spoiling the eggs.
How Long Will Freeze-Dried Eggs Last?
When stored properly in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, freeze-dried eggs can last up to 25 years.
They are ideal for long-term storage or survival situations, as they retain their original taste and texture once rehydrated.
6. Pickling
I remember not liking pickled eggs as a child, but pickling is, undoubtedly, a wonderfully effective way to preserve eggs long term.
Here’s how you pickle eggs:
- Start by hard-boiling the eggs, peeling them, and placing them in sterilized glass jars. Prepare a brine using vinegar, water, salt, and your choice of spices (such as dill, mustard seed, or garlic), then pour the brine over the eggs until they are fully submerged.
- Seal the jars tightly and refrigerate them. The eggs will take on the flavor of the brine over time, making them a flavorful snack or addition to salads.
How Long Will Pickled Eggs Last?
Pickled eggs can last up to 3-4 months when stored in the refrigerator. The flavor of the eggs will intensify as they sit, so you can add different spices and seasonings to the brine for different flavorings.
7. Preserving Eggs in Lard
Preserving eggs in lard is an old-fashioned method that uses the fat to create an airtight seal around the eggshell, preventing air and moisture from spoiling the egg.
This method works well for storing eggs long-term without refrigeration, especially in colder months.
Here’s how to store eggs in lard long term.
Step 1: Melt Your Lard
Start with fresh, unwashed eggs (the natural bloom on the shell helps protect them). Melt a sufficient amount of lard, allowing it to cool slightly until it’s warm but not hot.
Step 2: Coat the Eggs
Dip each egg into the lard, coating the entire shell with a thick layer. Once coated, place the eggs in a container lined with straw or cloth, making sure they don’t touch each other, and store in a cool, dark place, like a cellar.
How Long Will Lard-Preserved Eggs Last?
Eggs preserved in lard can last for up to six months or longer, as the fat effectively seals out air and bacteria.
The eggs maintain their freshness, and while the texture of the white may change slightly over time, they remain suitable for baking, frying, or boiling.
8. Salting Eggs
Salting eggs is a common method in many Asian countries, particularly for preserving duck eggs, and results in a rich, flavorful product.
How to Do It:
- Submerge the eggs in a brine made from water and a generous amount of salt (1 cup of salt to 4 cups of water), ensuring they are fully covered. After a few weeks of soaking, the salt will penetrate the egg, preserving it and altering its texture and taste.
- After soaking the eggs, remove them from the brine with a spoon or tongs, rinse them gently under cold water to remove excess salt, and pat dry. Store them in a clean, airtight container.
- This method is commonly used for making salted egg yolks, which can be cooked and grated over dishes for a rich, umami flavor.
How Long Will Salted Eggs Last?
Salted eggs can last for 1-2 months in a sealed container in the fridge. The high salt content preserves the eggs while giving them a unique and savory taste.
9. Water Glassing Eggs in Limewater
Storing eggs in limewater is another traditional method that can keep eggs fresh for a long period without refrigeration.
Here’s how you store eggs in lime water.
Make a limewater solution. Make the solution by mixing ⅓ of a cup of lime per liter of water.
Submerge fresh, unwashed eggs in the solution. The key here is to make sure they are completely covered and store them in a cool, dark place like a basement.
Limewater creates a protective layer over the eggshells, preventing air and bacteria from entering while maintaining the eggs’ freshness.
How Long Will Limewater-Stored Eggs Last?
Eggs stored in limewater can last up to 18 months.
10. Preserving Eggs in Wood Ash
Preserving eggs in wood ash is a traditional method that utilizes the alkaline nature of ash to create a stable, low-moisture environment for the eggs.
The ashes prevent bacteria and moisture from spoiling the eggs, which makes it an effective long-term storage solution, especially in areas without refrigeration.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has put together a great scientific breakdown of how the process works if you’re interested.
Here’s how to preserve eggs in wood ash for long term storage.
Start by collecting clean, dry wood ash (free from chemicals or toxins). It’s important to make sure to remove any large pieces. Take fresh, unwashed eggs and bury them completely in a container filled with ash, making sure there’s enough ash to keep them separated from each other.
Choose the appropriate storage location. Store the container in a cool, dry place, and ensure the eggs remain fully covered by the ash throughout the storage period.
How Long Will Wood Ash-Preserved Eggs Last?
Eggs stored in wood ash can last between six months to a year, however, some people contend that there is only a 60% success rate after 8 months, so be extra vigilant.
