Have you ever opened the refrigerator and realized that you have far more eggs than you’ll be able to use soon? Instead of letting them go to waste, there is a surprisingly simple solution: freeze them for later.
You may have seen the viral trick of cracking eggs into an ice cube tray and placing them in the freezer. The basic idea works, but there’s an important detail: eggs should be prepared correctly before freezing, and they should never be frozen in their shells.
Freezing eggs can be a convenient way to reduce food waste and keep portions ready for future recipes. Here’s how to do it safely, plus several other foods you can conveniently freeze in ice cube trays. ❄️
🥚 Can You Really Freeze Raw Eggs?
Yes. Raw eggs can be frozen once removed from their shells.
However, simply cracking an intact egg into each ice cube compartment isn’t necessarily the best method. For whole eggs, lightly mixing the yolk and white together before freezing generally produces a more useful result after thawing.
The texture may change slightly, so frozen eggs are particularly convenient for recipes in which the eggs will eventually be thoroughly cooked, such as:
- Scrambled eggs
- Cakes and muffins
- Pancakes
- French toast
- Casseroles
- Quiches
- Breaded dishes
💡 Important: Never put raw eggs in their shells directly into the freezer. The liquid inside expands as it freezes and can crack the shell.
❄️ How to Freeze Whole Eggs Step by Step
The process is incredibly easy and takes only a few minutes of preparation.
What you’ll need
- Fresh eggs
- A clean freezer-safe ice cube tray or silicone portion tray
- A bowl
- Fork or whisk
- Freezer-safe container or bag
- Label and marker
Step 1: Crack the eggs
Crack the eggs individually into a clean bowl.
Doing them one at a time also makes it easier to check each egg before combining them.
Step 2: Lightly beat them
Gently mix the whites and yolks together.
You don’t need to whip lots of air into them. Simply stir until the yolk and white are combined.
Step 3: Portion into the tray
Pour the beaten egg into clean compartments of a freezer-safe tray.
⚠️ Ice cube trays vary considerably in size, so don’t automatically assume that one frozen cube equals one egg.
If exact portions matter for your recipes, measure how much egg mixture goes into each compartment.
Step 4: Freeze until solid
Place the tray on a level surface in the freezer.
The original viral trick often mentions exactly two hours, but there is nothing special about two hours. Depending on your freezer and the size of the compartments, the eggs may require longer to freeze completely.
Simply leave them until they’re frozen solid.
Step 5: Transfer to a freezer container
Once completely frozen, remove the portions from the tray and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
Write the contents and freezing date on the package.
This prevents mystery cubes from accumulating in your freezer. 😄
⏳ How Long Can Frozen Eggs Be Stored?
For best results, use frozen eggs within a reasonable period and follow official food-storage guidance applicable where you live.
For longer storage, keeping the freezer consistently at 0°F (-18°C) or below is important.
Although frozen eggs can retain quality for many months, freezing doesn’t magically improve eggs that are already spoiled. Start with fresh, properly refrigerated eggs.
🧊 The Safest Way to Thaw Frozen Eggs
This is another important correction to the viral version of the trick.
Don’t leave frozen raw eggs sitting at room temperature to thaw.
Instead, transfer the amount you need from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw there.
Once thawed, use the eggs promptly and cook them thoroughly.
Freezing also doesn’t kill every microorganism that could potentially be present, so normal egg-handling and food-safety precautions still apply.
🍳 Can You Freeze Egg Whites Separately?
Absolutely.
Egg whites freeze particularly well and are convenient to portion.
If you regularly make recipes that leave you with extra whites, freeze them individually or in measured portions.
After thawing them in the refrigerator, they can be useful for recipes such as:
- Meringues
- Omelets
- Baking
- Macarons
- Egg-white scrambles
Label the container with the quantity so you know exactly how much you’re thawing later.
🟡 What About Egg Yolks?
Yolks require a little more attention.
Raw yolks can become thick or gelatinous when frozen, making them difficult to use after thawing.
To help prevent this, lightly beat the yolks before freezing and add a small amount of either salt or sugar, depending on how you’ll eventually use them.
Use salt for savory recipes and sugar for desserts.
Most importantly, label them clearly. You probably don’t want to discover that your “plain” yolks were prepared with sugar after adding them to a savory dinner. 😅
🧊 6 More Foods You Can Freeze in Ice Cube Trays
Eggs aren’t the only ingredient that can benefit from portion freezing. Ice cube and silicone trays can be surprisingly useful for reducing kitchen waste.
☕ 1. Coffee
If you love iced coffee, ordinary ice cubes have one annoying disadvantage: they dilute the coffee as they melt.
Instead, allow leftover brewed coffee to cool, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze.
Add the coffee cubes to your next iced coffee.
As they melt, you get more coffee instead of watery coffee. ☕🧊
🥛 2. Milk
Leftover milk can also be frozen in small portions.
Milk can separate somewhat after freezing and thawing, so the texture may not be identical to fresh milk. Give it a good shake or stir after thawing.
Frozen portions can be particularly convenient for:
- Smoothies
- Sauces
- Baking
- Soups
- Cooking
Thaw milk in the refrigerator rather than on the kitchen counter.
🧁 3. Buttermilk
Have you ever bought a container of buttermilk for one recipe and then wondered what to do with the rest?
Freezing it in measured portions is a practical solution.
Once thawed, it works especially well in cooked or baked recipes such as pancakes, biscuits, muffins and cakes.
🍋 4. Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon juice is another excellent candidate for portion freezing.
Squeeze the lemons, remove the seeds, pour the juice into a tray and freeze.
Once solid, transfer the cubes to a labeled freezer container.
You can then grab a portion whenever you need lemon juice for:
- Sauces
- Marinades
- Soups
- Drinks
- Desserts
It’s especially useful when you have several lemons that need to be used quickly. 🍋
🌿 5. Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil
Fresh herbs can wilt surprisingly quickly in the refrigerator.
One popular preservation method is to chop suitable herbs, place them into ice cube compartments and cover them with olive oil before freezing.
This method works especially well for herbs destined for cooked dishes, such as:
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sage
- Oregano
Drop a frozen portion directly into a hot pan, soup, stew or sauce when cooking.
🌿 Tip: Don’t expect frozen herbs to have exactly the same texture as fresh herbs. They’re much better for cooking than for garnishing a finished dish.
🫚 6. Fresh Ginger
Ginger is another ingredient that is easy to buy and surprisingly easy to forget at the back of the refrigerator.
Peel and grate fresh ginger, then freeze it in small portions.
Once solid, transfer the portions to a labeled freezer-safe container.
You’ll have convenient amounts ready for:
- Curries
- Soups
- Stir-fries
- Sauces
- Marinades
🍲 Bonus: Freeze Leftover Stock
Have a small amount of chicken, vegetable or beef stock left after cooking?
Don’t throw it away.
Freeze it in measured portions and transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer container.
Small portions of stock are extremely convenient when you need just a little liquid for a sauce, soup or reheating leftovers.
For food safety, cool cooked stock appropriately before freezing rather than leaving it sitting at room temperature for extended periods.
⚠️ Common Egg-Freezing Mistakes to Avoid
The trick is easy, but a few mistakes can affect both safety and quality.
❌ Freezing eggs inside their shells: The contents expand during freezing and the shells may crack.
❌ Assuming exactly two hours is enough: Freeze until completely solid; the required time varies.
❌ Thawing raw eggs on the counter: Use the refrigerator.
❌ Forgetting to label portions: Always write the contents, quantity and date when possible.
❌ Assuming texture will remain identical: Freezing can alter the texture of certain foods, particularly egg yolks and dairy products.
❌ Using eggs that are already spoiled: Freezing preserves food; it doesn’t restore spoiled food.
💡 Why Portion Freezing Is So Useful
The real appeal of this trick isn’t anything mysterious happening to the eggs after two hours.
It’s portion control and reducing food waste.
Instead of throwing away leftover ingredients, you can freeze useful quantities and take out only what you need.
This can be particularly helpful for people who cook for one or two people, buy ingredients in larger packages, or frequently have small quantities left after preparing recipes.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze raw eggs?
Yes, but remove them from their shells first. For whole eggs, gently combine the yolks and whites before freezing.
Can you freeze eggs in their shells?
No. Raw eggs shouldn’t be frozen in their shells because the contents expand during freezing and can crack the shell.
Do I need exactly 14 eggs?
No. Fourteen has no special significance. Freeze as many eggs as you need, provided you have suitable freezer-safe containers and can keep track of the portions.
Do eggs have to freeze for exactly two hours?
No. Two hours isn’t a magic number. Freeze them until they’re completely solid.
Can frozen eggs be used for scrambled eggs?
Yes. Properly frozen and refrigerator-thawed whole eggs can be used for scrambled eggs and other thoroughly cooked dishes, although you may notice a slight texture difference.
Can I use frozen eggs for baking?
Yes. Baking is actually one of the most convenient uses for previously frozen eggs.
Can frozen eggs be thawed at room temperature?
It’s better to thaw them safely in the refrigerator.
Can you refreeze thawed raw eggs?
For simplicity and better quality, freeze eggs in portions so you only thaw what you expect to use. Follow appropriate food-safety guidance if you’re considering refreezing.
🌟 Final Thoughts
So, does the viral “eggs in an ice cube tray” trick really work?
Yes—with a few important corrections.
You don’t need exactly 14 eggs, and nothing extraordinary happens precisely after two hours. The genuinely useful idea is much simpler: raw eggs can be frozen outside their shells and portioned for future cooking.
For whole eggs, lightly beat the yolk and white together, portion the mixture into a freezer-safe tray, freeze until solid, transfer to a labeled airtight container, and thaw in the refrigerator before use.
And once you start portion-freezing ingredients, don’t stop with eggs. Coffee, lemon juice, stock, buttermilk, herbs and ginger can all become convenient little freezer portions.
Sometimes the simplest kitchen tricks really can save food, money and time. 🥚❄️