Make Your Own Salt Cured Egg Yolk
Everything old is new again! Salted egg recipe is a centuries old way to preserve egg yolks. Use salted egg yolks to give your foods a pop of color, a boost of protein and calcium along with lots of flavor.
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Story and photos by Rita Heikenfeld Raising chickens for eggs allows me to be pretty free with creating new recipes. But one trendy recipe I had yet to try was salt cured egg yolk. The whole process of preserving egg yolks in a salt/sugar cure intrigued me, so I did my due diligence. Researching this centuries old, yet trendy, egg preservation method was a fascinating lesson in food chemistry.
I was surprised at how easy it was to preserve yolks in this manner and was delighted with the result. If you’ve never salt cured anything before, let salt cured egg yolk be your first attempt. The process couldn’t be more simple. Separate yolks, place them snugly in a salt/sugar mixture, let them cure in the refrigerator to remove moisture, then complete the drying process in the oven or dehydrator. What you’ll wind up with is a sunny disk with the consistency of a wedge of Parmesan cheese, firm yet easily grated. Salted egg yolks add a savory, complex flavor to a lot of different foods. From soups to salads and more, salted egg yolks belong in your arsenal of good things.
Salt Cured Egg Yolk Recipe
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. This recipe is for four to six eggs. Make as few or as many as you like, adjusting the salt/sugar ratio and size of the pan. If you like a less savory yolk, use equal amounts of salt and sugar.
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 eggs (I’m using 4)
- 8-by-8-inch or other small ceramic or glass pan
- 1 and ¾ cups Kosher, sea or Himalayan pink salt, fine grind
- 1 and ¼ cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Place half the salt in an even layer in the pan.
- Use a whole egg to make four indentations in the salt.
Separate yolks from whites. Freeze whites for later use.
Gently lay yolks in the indentations in the pan.
Separate yolks from whites. Freeze whites for later use.
Gently lay yolks in the indentations in the pan.
Gently pack remaining salt/sugar mixture on top, making sure to cover each yolk completely.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
Place in refrigerator for four to seven days. This starts the curing process, removing moisture from the yolks.
Gently remove yolks from curing mixture, brush as much salt off of each as possible, and carefully rinse under cool water to remove all salt.
Yolks will be semi-firm, bright in color, and translucent. They will feel smooth in your hand when all salt is removed. Pat dry.
Finish curing by drying completely in dehydrator or in oven.
To dry egg yolks in the dehydrator:
- Spray plastic mat and place on dehydrator shelf.
- Put yolks on mat, spacing them an inch or so apart so air can circulate.
- Turn temperature to 140 degrees F and dry until opaque, and texture is like a wedge of Parmesan, about 1 and ½ hours. You should be able to cut through the cooled yolk with a knife or grate it easily.
- Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to three months.
To dry in egg yolks in the oven:
- Follow instructions above for removing all salt.
- Preheat oven to 150F. (If your oven only goes down to 170/175, prop it partially open with a wooden spoon).
- Spray a wire rack and place on a baking pan.
- Dry until opaque and texture is like a wedge of Parmesan, 1 and ½ to 2 hours. You should be able to cut through the cooled yolk with a knife or grate it easily.
Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to three months.
You can swap duck eggs for chicken eggs in salted egg yolks. Duck eggs vs. chicken eggs take longer to cure, do to their size.
How to Use Salt Cured Egg Yolks
One of many egg facts is that they give a protein boost to many foods.
- Use instead of grated cheese on crostini appetizers.
- Add to herbed butters. Salt cured egg yolks give the butter a bright golden color and a sharper flavor.
- Grate over pastas, curries, and soups.
- Add zing to your mixed green salad by topping with a shower of grated salted egg yolks.
What Is Salt Curing?
The oldest naturally-occurring food preservation technique known, salt curing is just covering food in salt and sometimes sugar to draw out moisture and transform its flavor and texture.
History of Salt Cured Egg Yolks
The ancient Chinese, in their salting food preservation techniques, included egg yolks cured in salt for long-term storage and use. Remember, there was no refrigeration at the time.
Today, salted egg yolks are a traditional pantry ingredient in Chinese and Malaysian cuisines. They hit mainstream here in the U.S.A. several years ago, when adventurous and frugal chefs discovered this ancient technique to flavor their special dishes.
Salted Egg Yolks = Umami!
My foodie friends describe the flavor of salted egg yolks as an “umami” taste. Umami is a savory kind of taste and is one of the tenets of the five basic tastes, which include sour, sweet, bitter and salty. But the only thing you really need to know is that the flavor is darn good. A nice swap for Parmesan as a garnish.
Are Salted Egg Yolks Too Salty?
Surprisingly, salted egg yolks are more eggy and savory-tasting to my palate. Yes, the salt flavor comes through, but not too aggressively.
Have you made salted egg yolks? Let us know!
RITA HEIKENFELD comes from a family of wise women in tune with nature. She is a certified modern herbalist, culinary educator, author, and national media personality. Most importantly, she is a wife, mom, and grandma. Rita lives on a little patch of heaven overlooking the East Fork River in Clermont County, Ohio. She is a former adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati, where she developed a comprehensive herbal course.
abouteating.com column: rita@communitypress.com
Just to make sure I understand this recipe – the sugar only goes on top? In other words, half of the salt (only the salt) goes on the bottom, then the egg yolks, then the other half of the salt mixed with all of the sugar? Is that correct? Can the salt/sugar be reused or does it need to be thrown out after one use? Thank you.
Yea h, I have the same question, can we reuse the saltedmixture. What is the purpose of thesugar?