Healthy snack, full of proteins, low in calories and super easy to make? Yep, that sums up pretty well boiled eggs. Avoiding fats associated with frying, boiling is a no-brainer. Plus, it gives you a variety of textures to enjoy. Soft or hard-boiled eggs are ready in less than 15 minutes, that you know. But keeping them safe to eat even later is not always recommended.
Eggs are among the foods that can go bad fast and once they do, they can even pose a danger to your health. So finding the right way to maintain them edible is crucial. If you have ever wondered “Can I freeze hard-boiled eggs?”, we have the answer for you.
In today’s article, you can find all the reasons why freezing hard-boiled eggs is a good idea (or is it not?). We talk you through all the steps necessary to prepare them for freezing as well. And on top of it all, we have some cooking ideas to inspire you. Get ready to crack your shell and try some new recipes.
How To Boil Eggs To Perfection
Before we start talking about freezing them, we find it important to share some tips on how to boil eggs like a pro. The information below can come in handy if you want to add some variety to your egg-based breakfast. But when it comes to freezing, keep in mind that only the hard-boiled eggs are safe and recommended. We will give you an explanation for that too, we promise.
So, here is how to boil your eggs to perfection and get the desired consistency. You put them in a pot, cover them with water and place on the stove top at high heat. When the water starts boiling, cover the pot with the lid and start counting the minutes. If you aim to get a boiled egg with a creamy yolk in the center, leave it boiling for only 4 minutes. For a medium cooked egg, around 7 minutes should be enough. If you want a solid, hard-boiled, safe-to-freeze egg, keep it boiling for 10-12 minutes. Remove it from the heat, rinse it through some cold water (for easy peeling) and enjoy.
Of course, if you do a simple search online, you can find a plethora of alternatives for this. You can also experiment with the boiling time, until you reach the consistency you like. Remember, if you want to freeze them, eggs must be hard-boiled.
Can You Freeze Hard-Boiled Eggs?
This is a question that has probably crossed your mind at some point. Can you freeze boiled eggs? Not necessarily because you are lazy, but maybe because you want to have them all set to eat or use in a recipe. The answer comes as no surprise.
Yes, you can freeze boiled eggs. The trick is how well cooked they have to be, to get the best results when freezing them. As thawing them will take a toll on their taste and consistency, soft boiled eggs do not qualify. They will release water while defrosting and look a lot less appealing. You should know that the egg white and the yolk will react differently to freezing and thawing.
Safe and recommended to freeze are hard-boiled eggs. However, the white part tends to get rubbery, so it is better if you consume this part fresh and just freeze the yolk. You can safely use it in casseroles, deviled eggs or sauce gribiche up to 6 months later.
Now that you know you can freeze hard-boiled eggs, let’s see what are the steps to do that properly.
How Can You Freeze Hard-Boiled Eggs Best?
If you have a large amount of eggs and you fear they will go to waste, freezing them can be your last resort. You can freeze them raw, scrambled, hard-boiled or cooked.
Keep in mind that hard-boiled eggs also behave pretty well in the refrigerator, for up to two weeks. You should keep an eye on them though, if you notice any foul smell, do not eat them. If you consider you will not get to consume them all in time, here is what you can do to freeze hard-boiled eggs safely.
- Once you boil them, allow them to cool well. You can place them in a bowl with ice water, to rush the process.
- If you decide to freeze them whole, simply put them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Place it in the freezer.
- If the rubbery white does not sound appealing, then peel off the eggshell and take the yolks out. Place them in a sealing bag, take the air out as much as possible and put them in the freezer. Feel free to consume the boiled egg whites fresh, to make the most of their nutritional value.
How To Unfreeze Hard-Boiled Eggs?
Eggs are temperature sensitive and that applies to cooked ones too. So, when you are ready to use your frozen hard-boiled eggs, allow some time for proper thawing.
Take them out of the freezer and leave them in the refrigerator for about 8 hours. Alternatively, you can place them in a plastic bag and put it in a container with cold/lukewarm water. Use them soon after thawing, to make the most of their properties and avoid any health risks too.
5 Ways To Use Hard-Boiled Eggs
Time to crack the shell of plain old deviled eggs. There is so much more to boiled eggs than just that. To prove you how versatile they can be, we prepared a selection of five egg-based recipes to get you cooking.
- This Tuscan Kale Caesar Slaw will make your taste buds fall in love. Rich flavours, crisp texture and consistent ingredients make it hard to resist. Impress your guests with it for the first course or pair it up with some grilled meat for more impact.
- Once you try the Sautéed Asparagus and Morels with Gribiche Dressing, you will never go back. That is to say, you will never go back to avoiding asparagus. The Gribiche sauce is where the eggs come into the scene, if you were wondering.
- You may be familiar with grating cheese on top of your pasta. But the Rigatoni with Lemon-Chile Pesto and Grated Egg shows you a whole new world. Grated egg is the new cheese, we dare to say. Pretty satisfying and yummy, it is also welcomed by those with lactose intolerance.
- This vegetarian dish will enchant your senses. The rich flavors of the Green Rice with Tomatoes, Eggs, and Almonds are hard to resist. Who would believe almonds and tomatoes can make such a yummy combination of textures? Enjoy it as it is or pair it up with some fresh fish, for even more delight.
- The Pan Bagnat Sandwich with Tuna, Anchovies, and Parsley will take you to Provence in a bite. This French summer snack comes as a surprise, but one that you can never forget. Crispy, rich, consistent and flavorsome, you may want to take it with you in every picnic from now on.
Try them out and give us a hint in the comments on which one will become a permanent addition to your list of favorites. If you have other suggestions of recipes, do not be shy. This may not be an Easter egg hunt, but it can be our very own egg-recipe hunt! Share with us your ideas of dishes where frozen hard-boiled eggs could fit greatly.