How to Keep Eggs Fresh
I love having a homestead. There’s something satisfying about grabbing a fresh tomato, a few peppers, and a couple of eggs for a meal. The key to enjoying food at its best is using it at its freshest, and that starts with proper storage. Learning how to keep eggs fresh straight from the coop ensures you can enjoy them at their peak.
Raising chickens is a simple way to try out self-sufficiency. At first, it might not seem like a big deal, but once you experience the joy of eating food you’ve grown yourself, you’ll want to expand your efforts into other areas. Before you know it, you’ll have a thriving homestead of your own.
How to Keep Eggs Fresh
Fresh eggs are one of the best parts of raising backyard chickens. Eggs straight from the coop, not only taste better, they look better too. Crack a fresh egg into a pan with a store-bought egg and the yolks alone will tell you which is which.
The way you handle and store eggs can make all the difference in keeping their quality in tact until you are ready to eat them.
Why Proper Storage Matters
All eggs can spoil, especially if they are improperly stored. Although the risk is small, eggs that are not stored well can develop bacteria, or even cause foodborne illnesses, like salmonella. Thankfully, it’s easy to avoid those risks with a few tips and storage options.
How to Keep Eggs Fresh from the Coop
When gathering eggs from your chickens, handle them gently to avoid cracks. Cracked eggs are more likely to be contaminated and should either be discarded or you can cook them and feed them back to your flock or other livestock.
If you want clean eggs, you will need to have clean nesting boxes. Be sure to routinely change the bedding inside to help keep the eggs protected and clean. Even with all that, there are still going to be a few eggs with a bit of dirt or manure on them. For those eggs, just gently wipe them off with a dry cloth. Don’t wash them, that can actually introduce bacteria into the egg through the pores in the shell.
Inspecting Your Eggs
Before bringing eggs into the kitchen, inspect each one closely. Look for cracks, issues, or other damage. If you find an egg in an unusual area of the coop, you might not be sure if it is still fresh or not.
To help, do a float test to check the freshness.
- Place the egg in a bowl of water.
- If it sinks or lays flat on its side, the egg is fresh.
- If the egg stands up or floats, it is older.
If you have any eggs that are floating, you toss them just to be sure you are only eating the freshest eggs from your coop.
To Wash or Not to Wash?
One of the biggest questions for chicken keepers is whether or not to wash their eggs. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Washing Eggs:
- Pro: Removes visible dirt and manure, reducing the risk of contamination.
- Con: Washing strips away the bloom, a naturally protective coating that keeps bacteria out of the shell. Once the bloom is gone, eggs are more prone to spoilage.
Not Washing Eggs:
- Pro: Preserves the bloom, allowing you to safely store eggs without refrigeration if desired.
- Con: Dirt and debris remain on the shell, which could contaminate kitchen surfaces if not handled carefully.
If you opt to wash your eggs, do so just before using them to keep their protective coating intact as long as possible. Use warm water (not cold) and gently scrub with a brush to remove dirt.
Storing Eggs in the Counter Versus the Fridge
Both countertop and refrigerator storage options work, but each has its pros and cons.
On the Counter:
- Pro: Eggs stored unwashed and at room temperature can last for up to two weeks, making them convenient for frequent use in cooking or baking.
- Con: Only works with unwashed eggs since the bloom protects them. Room temperature may also shorten shelf life compared to refrigeration.
Refrigerated:
- Pro: Keeps eggs fresher for a longer period (up to 3 months), as low temperatures slow down degradation and bacteria growth.
- Con: Once eggs have been refrigerated, they should stay in the fridge to prevent condensation that can lead to bacteria growth.
Overall, refrigeration is the best choice for long-term storage, while the counter works well for short-term storage and is a good option, especially if you and your family eat a lot of eggs every day.
Creating an Egg Routine
Having a routine makes life so much easier, especially when you’ve got a long list of chores to tackle. When it comes to eggs, consistently collecting and storing will eliminate questions about whether an egg is good to eat.
In our home, we collect eggs every morning and bring them inside. From there, we sort through them—any eggs that are cracked or overly soiled get set aside to cook and feed back to the chickens. The rest go into a small carton, get dated, and are stored in the fridge until we’re ready to use them. Simple, efficient, and no second-guessing.
Choosing the Best Containers
When it comes to storing your eggs, there are some great options you can use to keep dates organized.
- Cartons: Reusing an egg carton is a classic choice. It helps protect the eggs from cracking and even absorbs some of the odors floating around in the fridge. Just remember to store the eggs large-end-up to keep them fresher longer.
- Specialty Egg Holders: Those clear, fridge-safe egg containers are super handy if you like to see exactly how many eggs you have left at a glance. Plus they come in a few different sizes so you can store quite a few in a small area.
- Baskets for Counter Storage: If you’re team countertop, a breathable basket is a great way to keep your eggs accessible and look nice on the counter.
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And here’s a quick tip: if you’re storing eggs in the fridge, skip the door. The temperature there fluctuates too much. Instead, keep them in the main section where it’s nice and steady.
Freezing Extra Eggs for Later
If your hens are outdoing themselves and you can’t keep up, freezing is a fantastic way to save those extra eggs for later. Here are two easy methods to try:
1. Scrambled: Crack your eggs into a bowl and whisk them together until fully combined. Pour the mixture into muffin tins or small containers and freeze. Once they’re solid, pop them out and store them in a labeled freezer bag. When you’re ready to use them, just microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
2. Whole: Crack individual eggs into an ice cube tray, one egg per slot, and freeze. Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a labeled freezer bag. These are perfect for baking or frying when you need them.
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Frozen eggs can last up to a year, and when you’re ready to use them, just let them thaw in the fridge. Easy, right?
Keeping eggs fresh is easy with the right handling, storage, and a little bit of care. Whether you prefer keeping them on the counter for quick access or in the fridge for longer-lasting freshness, the trick is to preserve their quality from the moment they leave the coop. And if your hens are laying faster than you can keep up, freezing is a great way to make sure you’ve got plenty of eggs to enjoy, even during slower seasons.
How to Store Fresh Eggs so you can enjoy a bit of backyard goodness any time you are hungry for a fresh meal.
Living a Homesteading Life
Who says you it needs to be all or nothing when it comes to homesteading? It doesn’t and that is great news! Now you can add a bit of homesteading to your home and life no matter where you live or what stage of life you are in.
Try out any or all of these tips today:
