According to the FDA, only 1 in every 20,000 eggs carries the risk of Salmonella, but if you’re preparing your favorite recipe utilizing raw eggs, it comes as cold comfort! Did you know that you can pasteurize eggs at home? Here’s how to safely pasteurize eggs (at home).
How to Pasteurize Large Eggs:
Place fresh eggs in a single layer in a saucepan. Cover with water 1″ over the eggs. Use a digital thermometer to maintain the proper temperature.
Bring the temp up to 140F for exactly 3 and 1/2 minutes (and no more than 142F). Do NOT let the temperature rise above 142F or your egg will begin to cook.
Immediately remove eggs from hot water, rinse thoroughly with cold water.
Note: Jumbo sized eggs must be processed for exactly 5 minutes in 140F water
Once your eggs have been pasteurized, they are now safe for use in recipes such as homemade mayonnaise, ice cream, and egg nog.
Mind the Temperature Carefully
- Egg white coagulates between 144 and 149°F
- Egg yolk coagulates between 149 and 158°F
- Whole eggs between 144 and 158°F.
Alternatively, If preparing eggs within a recipe with other ingredients, dilute the eggs with liquid or other ingredients, such as milk, or sugar (at least ¼ cup liquid or sugar per egg as in custard) and cook the egg mixture to 160°F. This method will destroy harmful bacteria in a few seconds.
Sources: https://www.eggsafety.org/consumers/consumer-faqs#Composition5
ooh, thanks! i just found a recipe in a book that called for pasteurized eggs in making homemade mayonnaise.:jar:
would small eggs (such as quail) be pasteurized in the same manner?
thank you. i may be moving to indiana next year and i would like to have a garden and chickens, this is good to know information!! :23_30_109[1]:
very useful!!! thanks so much!
YES! I pasteurize eggs at home for homemade mayo and edible cookie dough. It’s easy once you get the temp right—just don’t rush it. Digital thermometer is a must!
This is the kind of info the average person should know but never Googles until it’s too late. I make homemade mayo a lot, so learning how to pasteurize eggs safely at home is a big deal. Pro tip: use a digital thermometer—don’t eyeball it!