Need to use up leftover egg yolks? I’ve got over 50 recipes using egg yolks to put them to good use, whether you’re staring at one lonely yolk or a whole bowlful after a baking project.
If you’ve spent any time baking, you’ve probably been here before: you made Peanut Butter Meringue Pie, an egg white omelet, or a batch of cookies that only needed whites, and now you’re left wondering what to do with egg yolks so they don’t go to waste. This list includes recipes using only egg yolks as well as dishes where yolks are the star ingredient.
Table of Contents
What Are Egg Yolks Used For?
Egg yolks are the secret weapon behind so many rich, comforting dishes. They add body and flavor to custard recipes, create silky textures in ice cream base mixtures, and help emulsify rich and creamy sauces like hollandaise and homemade mayonnaise. In baking, an extra yolk can turn ordinary chocolate chip cookies into something chewy and decadent.
On the savory side, egg yolks are essential for dishes like pasta, carbonara, and classic eggs Benedict. If I had to pick a favorite, I almost always use extra yolks in cookies or a quick stove top sauce because the payoff is instant!
Before we get to the recipes, remember that some dishes may use whole eggs in addition to yolks. This list focuses on recipes where egg yolks play a key role, even if they’re not the only egg used. Don’t overthink it! If you see something that sounds good, it probably is.
Easy Homemade Brownies are rich, fudgy, and studded with melted chocolate chips. This stovetop brownie recipe made with cocoa powder can be in your oven in just 20 minutes.
These irresistible triple chocolate cookies are a chocolate lover’s dream. Each bite is packed with milk chocolate, white chocolate, and semi-sweet chips, delivering an explosion of chocolate in every mouthful. The crispy edges and soft, gooey centers are what cookie dreams are made of. And let’s be honest—who can resist a cookie loaded with this much chocolate?
Three Cheese Mac and Cheese | Cook Like A Champion
My name is Courtney, and I’m in love with mac and cheese. Okay, that might be an overstatement, but I honestly can’t resist a good macaroni and cheese recipe. If it looks remotely like something I’ll like, I’ll try it. I just can’t help myself. However, after trying this recipe, I don’t know that I’ll … Read More
Macaroon Kisses (Almond Joy Cookies) – Chef in Training
Okay all you almond extract lovers out there, this is another great recipe for you. When I first was looking over this recipe, it was the almond extract that caught my eye. Seriously, almond extract is amazing. Enough about the almond extract though, because that is not all that makes these cookies spectacular, but it […]
These ooey gooey Fluffernutter Cookies combine a chewy peanut butter cookie with a melty marshmallow to make an irresistible peanut butter marshmallow cookie!
Light, creamy and perfect for chocolate lovers, this Triple Chocolate Mousse is a decadent treat with three layers of chocolate mousse: milk, white and dark.
A 40 layer crepe cake. Crepe Suzette Crepe cake to be exact. Layers of tender orange infused crepes with vanilla pastry cream filling. Vive La France!!
This creamy, buttery hollandaise sauce is the perfect compliment to eggs benedict, vegetables, and seafood! Made on the stove top in less than 10 minutes, this easy hollandaise recipe is one every home cook should know!
These Canestrelli shortbread cookies get their tender, melt in your mouth texture from the addition of hard boiled egg yolks! These buttery shortbread cookies are perfect alongside a cup of coffee or on a holiday cookie tray.
Homemade Béarnaise Sauce | Easy Foolproof Recipe Using A Blender!
This classic Béarnaise Sauce recipe is made in your food processor, or blender, for an easy foolproof method! It’s creamy, rich and perfect on a sandwich, eggs, or a steak for some fancy flare.
Double Chocolate Almond Macaroons | Love and Olive Oil
Lately I’ve been craving more than just chocolate. I’ve been craving chocolate combined with either almond or peanut butter. And while the peanut butter fudge brownies were awfully tempting, I wanted to try something new. I had a half a can of almond paste leftover from some cupcakes I made when my sister was here.
There is nothing better than a delicious home-cooked breakfast on the weekend. So, this weekend, why not impress your family with this Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict! Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict This Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict
Italian Cream Puffs with Custard Filling (St. Joseph’s Day Pastries)
These Italian cream puffs with a rich custard filling are a classic Italian dessert. They are traditionally eaten on St. Joseph’s Day, but I say indulge in them year-round!
Decadent Coconut Cream Pie with rich, creamy coconut custard layered with pillowy whipped cream, all in a flaky homemade pie crust and topped with toasted coconut. Perfect for coconut lovers!
White Chocolate-Lemon Mousse With Blackberry-Lavender Syrup
If you’re looking to impress your guests with an elegant dessert, look no further than our French-inspired White Chocolate-Lemon Mousse With Blackberry-Lavender Syrup.
Margarita Pie – Classic Dessert Meets Classic Cocktail
Margarita Pie!! Super easy Key Lime Pie meets your favorite tequila cocktail. If you don’t do alcohol leave out the liquor for a more classic key lime pie.
Greek Lemon Soup with Chicken and Orzo | Love and Olive OilGet the Recipe
How to Store Leftover Egg Yolks
If you’re not ready to use your leftover egg yolks right away, you can absolutely refrigerate them! Store raw egg yolks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
If possible, keep them whole so it’s easy to see how many you have left. An egg separator makes this much easier. If the yolks are already broken, just label the container with the number of yolks inside so you’re not guessing later.
Tip: The easiest way to separate egg yolks cleanly is to crack the egg into a small bowl first, then transfer the yolk using clean hands or an egg separator. This also helps prevent broken yolks from contaminating the egg whites.
Egg Yolk FAQs
How many tablespoons are in one egg yolk?
One large egg yolk is about 1 tablespoon. This can help if you’re working with recipes that measure yolks by volume instead of count.
Can I substitute whole eggs for egg yolks in recipes?
Sometimes, but it depends on the recipe! Whole eggs add both fat and structure, while egg yolks mainly add richness. Swapping in whole eggs can change texture, especially in custards, sauces, and baked goods where yolks are doing the heavy lifting.
Do egg yolks go bad faster once they’re separated?
Egg yolks don’t spoil faster just because they’re separated, but they can dry out if exposed to air. Storing them in an airtight container helps keep them fresh and usable for several days!
Can I use egg yolks straight from the fridge?
You can, but egg yolks often work better at room temperature, especially for sauces and emulsions like mayonnaise. Letting them sit out briefly helps them blend more smoothly with other ingredients.
Can you freeze egg yolks?
Egg yolks don’t freeze well on their own unless they’re mixed with a small amount of sugar or salt, so for most home cooks, it’s best to refrigerate them and use them within a few days!
Leftover egg yolks don’t have to feel like a kitchen problem. With so many recipes for leftover egg yolks, you can turn them into desserts, dinners, sauces, and even a little self-care! If this list helped you use up what was in your fridge, leave a comment and let me know how many yolks you started with!
Thanks a lot for sharing list of cool recipes Courtney! First of all i’ll try Challah Bread, Crepe Suzette Crepe Cake and Greek Lemon Soup with Chicken and Orzo! I’m also gonna pin this post on my Pinterest board my followers will love it.
Courtney, so fun to see that this post of yours brought quite a few people to my blog yesterday! It was great to spend the last couple days with you! You are truly a sweet sweet person! thanks again for the share! Sheila
That’s awesome Sheila! I’m so glad. It was so lovely to meet you. I wish I had more time to chat with you! I was hoping to talk to you more about your experience with adoption. It’s something my husband and I are both passionate about. We’ll have to stay connected online!
Came by for Chocolate and PB Day and this caught my eye – EVERY morning my 12 year son wants 2 eggs – straight up or on a sandwich of some sort – minus the yolks (doesn’t like them) – I feel guilty that I usually throw them away – THIS IS AWESOME! I kept meaning to make a list of uses, in addition to the ones off the top of my head…and you did it for me! Smaaa-oooch!
You’ve totally got our back, girl. I’m always wondering what to do with extra yolks! I’ve got to pin this post so that I always have this list handy. I just read your reply to Danielle’s question – I’m notorious for putting eggs yolks in the fridge and seeing them a week later, all flaky ‘n dried ‘n gross. No more wasted yolks for me!
Thank you for sharing this! I soooo need it 🙂 Out of curiosity – how long can you keep an egg yolk in the fridge before it goes bad – not that I have one waiting to be used or anything 😉
I was trying to make a baked alaska with meringue but I messed up horribly and I was crying and feeling really bad because I cant make anything this really helped me thankyou.
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