What are liquid eggs?
Liquid eggs are eggs that have been cracked and whisked together without their shells. They can come in a few different forms:
- Whole eggs – the entire egg is used, including the white and yolk
- Egg whites – just the egg white is used
- Egg yolks – just the egg yolk is used
Liquid eggs are usually pasteurized to kill any potential bacteria. They are often sold in cartons or jugs and can be found in the refrigerator section of most grocery stores. The main benefits of liquid eggs are convenience and consistency. They save time since you don’t have to crack and beat each egg individually. The eggs are already whisked together so you don’t have to worry about getting inconsistent results when baking or cooking.
What are some ways to use liquid whole eggs?
There are many versatile ways to use liquid whole eggs:
- Baking – Liquid eggs can be used in place of regular eggs in recipes for baked goods like cakes, cookies, muffins, pancakes, etc.
- Scrambled eggs – Pour liquid eggs into a pan to make fluffy scrambled eggs.
- Omelets – Make omelets quickly without having to beat the eggs first.
- Quiche – Use liquid eggs as the base for quiche fillings.
- Custards and curds – Liquid eggs are perfect for creamy egg custards like creme brulee or lemon curd.
- French toast – Dip bread into liquid eggs before frying into french toast.
- Strata – Make easy breakfast stratas by pouring liquid eggs over bread and other fillings.
- Frittatas – Use liquid eggs for the base of veggie-packed frittatas.
- Egg wash – Brush liquid eggs onto pastry before baking for a golden finish.
- Meatballs – Bind meatballs together by dipping them into liquid eggs before baking.
The convenience of liquid whole eggs makes whipping up egg-based dishes like omelets, quiches, brunch casseroles, and baked goods easy and fast. They can be used in any recipe that calls for whole eggs without needing to crack and beat each egg individually.
What are some ways to use liquid egg whites?
Liquid egg whites provide all the benefits of egg whites in a convenient, ready-to-use form. Here are some ways to use them:
- Meringues – Whip liquid egg whites into fluffy meringue for pies, cookies, and other desserts.
- Cocktails – Use liquid egg whites to create frothy cocktails like whiskey sours or gin fizzes.
- Protein drinks – Add liquid egg whites to smoothies for extra protein.
- Marshmallows – Combine liquid egg whites with sugar and gelatin to make homemade marshmallows.
- Macarons – Whipped liquid egg whites are the base for the French almond macaron cookies.
- Soufflés – For light and airy cheese or dessert soufflés, fold ingredients into whipped liquid egg whites.
- Healthy pancakes – For fluffier protein-packed pancakes, replace part of the flour with liquid egg whites.
- Foams – Make savory food foams as garnishes by blending liquid egg whites with seasonings in a whipped cream dispenser.
- Royal icing – Whip liquid egg whites to make royal icing for frosting cakes and cookies.
The high protein, low fat content of liquid egg whites makes them ideal for lightening up recipes or adding extra nutrition. They can be used similarly to fresh egg whites without having to separate eggs.
What are some ways to use liquid egg yolks?
Liquid egg yolks provide rich flavor and moisture in both sweet and savory recipes. Some ways to use them include:
- Hollandaise sauce – Blend liquid egg yolks with melted butter to make the classic creamy hollandaise.
- Custards – For smooth and velvety custards, heat liquid egg yolks gently with dairy or cream.
- Mayonnaise – Emulsify liquid egg yolks with oil and seasonings to make homemade mayo.
- Ice cream – Add cooked liquid egg yolks to ice cream bases for extra richness.
- Pasta – Toss freshly cooked pasta with liquid egg yolk mixture to make carbonara or egg noodle dishes.
- Brioche – Add extra moisture and rise to yeast breads like brioche by including liquid egg yolks.
- Cookies – Incorporate liquid egg yolks into cookie doughs for chewy texture.
- Cake – Replace whole eggs with liquid egg yolks in cake batters for dense, moist crumb.
- Tart fillings – Bind together ingredients like lemon curd with liquid egg yolks.
The rich fatty and emulsifying properties of liquid egg yolks make them perfect for boosting the texture, moisture, and flavor of baked goods, sauces, pasta, and more. They provide all the benefits of fresh egg yolks without the need to separate eggs.
Benefits of Using Liquid Eggs
Here are some of the main benefits of using pasteurized liquid eggs:
- Convenience – Liquid eggs save time since you don’t have to crack and beat eggs individually.
- Consistency – Pre-whisked liquid eggs give consistent results in recipes.
- Shelf life – Unopened, liquid eggs last 2-4 weeks refrigerated.
- Food safety – Pasteurization kills Salmonella and other bacteria.
- Easy separation – Separate egg yolks and whites without cracking shells.
- Versatility – Use liquid eggs for everything from scrambles to baking.
- Waste reduction – No shells to discard means less food waste.
The convenience and reliability of liquid eggs makes them a cooking staple for quick breakfasts, weeknight dinners, and all types of baking. Their pasteurization provides an added level of food safety as well.
Potential Drawbacks of Liquid Eggs
However, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider:
- Higher price point – Liquid eggs tend to cost more than shell eggs.
- Added stabilizers – Some brands include gums or starches to improve texture.
- Less fresh taste – The pasteurization process can diminish fresh egg flavor.
- Not free-range – Most liquid eggs don’t come from free-range hens.
- More packaging – Disposable cartons create more waste than shells.
To maximize freshness, it’s best to purchase liquid eggs that are not far from their “sell-by” date. And you may want to limit their use in recipes where the subtle flavors of fresh eggs are central, like omelets or sunny-side up fried eggs. But for most baking and cooking needs, liquid eggs provide reliable results.
Storing and Handling Liquid Eggs
To keep liquid eggs safe and fresh, be sure to:
- Refrigerate at 40°F or below.
- Use by the “sell-by” or “use-by” date on the carton.
- Keep the protective carton closed until ready to use.
- Don’t return unused portions back into the original carton.
- Cook thoroughly to an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Discard if eggs have an off-odor or appearance.
Properly stored, unopened liquid eggs have a shelf life of 2-4 weeks beyond the pack date on the carton. Opened, they will last about 7 days in the refrigerator. Always cook liquid eggs thoroughly until set.
Nutrition Information
Here is a nutrition comparison between liquid whole eggs and fresh large eggs:
| Nutrient | Liquid Whole Eggs | Fresh Large Eggs |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 80 | 72 |
| Fat | 5g | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 205mg | 186mg |
| Sodium | 125mg | 71mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0.5g | 0.6g |
| Protein | 6g | 6g |
As you can see, the nutrition profiles are very similar. Liquid egg whites are slightly higher in protein compared to fresh egg whites since they often contain added stabilizers. Overall, liquid eggs can be used as a nutritious substitute for shell eggs in most recipes.
Price Comparison
Liquid eggs are generally more expensive than regular shell eggs. Here is an approximate price comparison:
| Product | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| 1 dozen Grade A Large Eggs | $1.99 |
| 1 quart Liquid Whole Eggs | $3.99 |
| 1 pint Liquid Egg Whites | $2.69 |
The convenience of liquid eggs may be worth the extra cost when making large batched recipes or dishes that require a lot of separated eggs. But shell eggs are the more economical option for everyday cooking and baking.
Conclusion
Liquid eggs provide versatility, convenience, and reliable results for all types of cooking and baking recipes. Their pre-cracked and pre-whisked format makes whipping up everything from scrambled eggs to meringues much easier. While liquid eggs don’t quite match the fresh flavor of shell eggs, their pasteurization makes them safer. With proper storage and handling, liquid eggs can extend the shelf life of eggs by weeks. Just be mindful of their higher price point and potential additive content when choosing a brand. Overall, liquid eggs are a useful staple that can streamline prep work in any home kitchen.