7 Delicious Recipes for What to Do With Leftover Egg Yolks

If you're someone who loves to cook, you've likely heard of the dilemma of having leftover egg yolks. Whether you're making meringues or angel food cakes, it's not uncommon to have half a dozen or more yolks left to deal with. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious recipes that make use of leftover yolks! In this article, we'll explore some of the best recipes out there and provide detailed instructions on how to whip them up from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Understanding Leftover Egg Yolks

Before we dive into the recipes, let's take a moment to talk about why we often find ourselves with leftover egg yolks. Many recipes call for only whites or yolks, leaving you with a surplus of the other. In general, recipes that rely heavily on egg whites—such as macarons and souffles—will leave you with leftover yolks. Additionally, recipes that use a lot of whole eggs but require only yolks in smaller quantities—such as custards and ice creams—can also lead to leftover yolks.

Why Egg Yolks Are Often Leftover

As we mentioned above, egg yolks are often left out of recipes in favor of egg whites because they are a key ingredient in achieving a light and airy texture. When making meringues and other whipped egg white-based desserts, the yolks can be left out entirely to prevent them from weighing down the final product. Additionally, egg yolks are high in fat, which gives baked goods a dense and delicious texture. However, in recipes where a light and fluffy texture is needed, such as macarons, egg yolks can hinder the final result.

Health Benefits of Egg Yolks

While egg yolks are high in fat, they're also packed with essential nutrients like vitamins A, D, and E, as well as choline and selenium. Choline is essential for brain health and is important for preventing liver disease, while selenium is an antioxidant that helps protect against cancer and heart disease. So not only do egg yolks add flavor and texture to recipes, but they also provide important health benefits.

Storing Leftover Egg Yolks

So, what should you do with your leftover egg yolks? First and foremost, it's important to store them properly to ensure they stay fresh until you're ready to use them. If you're only using yolks, you can store the whites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. When it comes to yolks, you can either store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days or freeze them for later use. To freeze yolks, simply whisk them together, add a pinch of salt or sugar to prevent them from getting too thick, and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to six months.

Recipes to Use Up Leftover Egg Yolks

Now that you know why you have leftover egg yolks and how to store them, let's talk about some delicious recipes that will put them to good use!

1. Homemade Mayonnaise: Making your own mayonnaise is easier than you might think, and it's a great way to use up leftover egg yolks. Combine egg yolks, mustard, lemon juice, and salt in a food processor, and slowly drizzle in oil until the mixture emulsifies into a thick and creamy sauce.

2. Chocolate Pudding: This classic dessert is made with egg yolks, milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. It's rich, creamy, and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

3. Lemon Curd: If you're a fan of tart and tangy flavors, you'll love this bright and zesty spread. Lemon curd is made with egg yolks, sugar, lemon juice, and butter, and it's perfect for spreading on toast, scones, or biscuits.

4. Hollandaise Sauce: This classic French sauce is a must-have for any brunch lover. It's made with egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice, and it's perfect for drizzling over eggs benedict or asparagus.

5. Ice Cream: Homemade ice cream is a great way to use up leftover egg yolks, and it's a fun project to do with kids. Combine egg yolks, sugar, cream, and your favorite flavorings to create a rich and creamy treat.

Here’s more on three of our favorite recipes.

Recipe 1: Homemade Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is a staple condiment in many households, but few people realize just how easy it is to make at home. Plus, homemade mayo tastes better and is healthier than the store-bought version, which is often loaded with preservatives and artificial flavors.

Ingredients

• 3 egg yolks

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

• 1 cup neutral oil (such as grapeseed or avocado)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a food processor or blender, combine the egg yolks, lemon juice, and dijon mustard.

2. Slowly drizzle in the oil while blending on medium-high speed until the mixture emulsifies and thickens.

3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Variations and Flavor Additions

Once you've mastered the basic mayo recipe, there are endless ways to customize it to your taste. Add roasted garlic for a rich and flavorful garlic aioli, or swap out the lemon juice for lime juice to make a zesty lime mayo. You can also experiment with adding fresh herbs like basil, dill, or cilantro, or stir in some Sriracha for a spicy kick.

Recipe 2: Lemon Curd

Lemon curd is a tangy and sweet spread that pairs perfectly with scones, toast, or even as a filling for cakes and tarts. This recipe takes just a few minutes to make and uses just four ingredients.

Ingredients

• 4 egg yolks

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until well combined.

2. Stir in the lemon juice and butter until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.

3. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or bits of cooked egg.

5. Store the lemon curd in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Serving Suggestions

Lemon curd is delicious served on scones or toast, but it's also a great ingredient to use in other baked goods. Spread it on a layer cake, swirl it into muffin batter, or use it as a filling for tartlets.

Recipe 3: Crème Brûlée

Crème brûlée is a classic French dessert that's surprisingly easy to make at home. With a rich and creamy custard base topped with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust, this dessert is sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 4 egg yolks

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 cups heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and granulated sugar until pale and thick.

3. In a small saucepan, heat the cream and vanilla extract over medium heat until just simmering.

4. Slowly pour the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, until well combined.

5. Divide the custard mixture evenly among six ramekins and place them in a baking dish. Pour boiling water into the baking dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the custards are just set but still slightly jiggly in the center.

7. Remove the ramekins from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature, then chill in the fridge for at least two hours (or up to two days) to set.

8. When ready to serve, sprinkle about a teaspoon of brown sugar over each custard and use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it's crispy and golden brown.

Tips for the Perfect Caramelized Top

Caramelizing the sugar on top of crème brûlée can be tricky, but with a little practice, you'll master the technique in no time. Make sure to use a kitchen torch, as trying to caramelize the sugar under the broiler can result in uneven browning and a runny custard. Hold the torch about 2-3 inches away from the surface of the custard and move it in a circular motion, heating the sugar evenly until it turns a deep golden brown. Let the custard sit for a minute or two before serving to let the caramelized sugar harden.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, leftover egg yolks don't need to go to waste. From easy homemade mayo to elegant crème brûlée, there are plenty of delicious recipes that make use of those extra yolks. So next time you find yourself with leftover yolks, give one of these recipes a try and enjoy the delicious results!