All About Egg yolks
Your complete guide to egg yolks - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Egg yolks Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for egg yolks in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
raw in fridge2-4 days
Signs of Spoilage
Sour or strong sulfurous smell, cloudy or dull appearance, greyish or greenish discoloration, slimy texture, presence of mold.
How to Check
Smell Test: Fresh yolks have a very faint, neutral smell. A strong, sour, or 'off' odor indicates spoilage. Visual Inspection: Yolks should be bright yellow/orange, plump, and shiny. Discard if cloudy, dull, discolored (grey/green), or if any mold is visible. Touch Test: Fresh yolks are smooth and slightly viscous. If they feel slimy or excessively watery, they are likely spoiled.
Storage Tips
Store in a clean, airtight container to prevent drying out and absorption of other food odors. For best results, you can cover the yolks with a thin layer of cold water (then drain before use) or a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming and to extend freshness slightly. Label with the date they were separated.
frozen (prepared)3-6 months
Signs of Spoilage
Significant freezer burn causing dryness or discoloration, off-smell after thawing, extreme separation or grainy texture after thawing, though some texture change is normal.
How to Check
Smell Test (after thawing): Thawed yolks should have a neutral or mild eggy smell. Any sour, pungent, or 'off' smell indicates spoilage. Visual Inspection (after thawing): While color may be slightly paler, extreme discoloration (darker, brown) or signs of mold (unlikely in properly frozen items) are bad signs. Freezer burn will appear as dry, discolored patches. Texture Test (after thawing): While the texture will be different from fresh (slightly thicker or gummier), it shouldn't be excessively grainy, crumbly, or completely separated into distinct water and solids.
Storage Tips
To prevent gelling and maintain a usable texture, egg yolks must be mixed with a small amount of salt (for savory dishes) or sugar (for sweet dishes) before freezing. Use 1/8 teaspoon salt OR 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar per 4 egg yolks. Whisk lightly until combined, then store in airtight, freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little headspace. Label with the date and whether they are sugared or salted. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before use.