Can You Freeze Cooked Eggs?

Q. I like to buy fresh eggs from a local farm. The prices are so good that I’m often tempted to buy several dozen at once so that I don’t have to keep going back to buy them every week. We eat a lot of eggs at our house, and I find myself cooking them almost every day. Lately I’ve been wondering if it would be possible for me to cook eggs ahead of time and then freeze them, so that I can reheat them as necessary. It would save me so much time and effort. Can you freeze cooked eggs?

A. Yes, you can freeze cooked eggs, depending on how they are prepared. Some cooking methods lend themselves better to freezing than others. Freezing whole hard boiled eggs isn’t recommended because the whites become rubbery and inedible after being frozen. However, grated hard boiled eggs freeze quite well because the whites are not in large chunks and are mixed in with the yolks. Grated hard boiled eggs make an excellent salad topping or can even be used to make egg salad sandwiches. Scrambled eggs also freeze quite well and retain much of their original taste and texture after being frozen.

How to Freeze Cooked Eggs?

To freeze grated hard boiled eggs, cook the eggs according to directions and let cool. Peel the eggs and coarsely chop or grate the eggs with a cheese grater into a bowl. Mix the eggs to combine the whites and the yolk, and then scoop the eggs into freezer safe containers so that they don’t get crushed. Place plastic wrap over the top to avoid freezer burn, and seal the containers. To freeze scrambled eggs, cook the eggs until they are just a bit underdone. Let the scrambled eggs cool, and then scoop the desired amount into freezer bags, distributing them so that the bags can lay flat for storage in the freezer. Squeeze out the excess air, and then seal and label the bag. Frozen eggs can last up to a year in the freezer, although some people claim they begin to lose flavour and texture after a few months.

How to Thaw Cooked Eggs?

To thaw frozen cooked eggs, remove the eggs from the freezer and place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight until thawed completely. Eggs can be reheated on the stove or in the microwave. Thawed eggs should be eaten within 24 hours for best results. Never refreeze thawed eggs.