Can You Buy Just Egg Yolks? – Here’s the Best Places

Imagine you’re in your kitchen, ready to whip up a batch of rich, velvety custard or perhaps a luscious hollandaise sauce. The recipe calls for egg yolks, and you’re eager to create a masterpiece.

However, you’re faced with a conundrum – what to do with the egg whites? Throwing them away feels wasteful, and finding a use for them on the spot can be challenging. This is where the idea of buying just egg yolks comes to the rescue.

But is it possible to buy just egg yolks without the egg whites? Lucky for us, it is possible to buy egg yolks separately in fresh or dried form. Unfortunately, the challenge is tracking them down.

In this article, we’ll explore the best places where you can source these golden gems. Whether you’re a culinary enthusiast seeking precise measurements or someone looking to reduce food waste, we’ve got you covered. 

Is It Possible to Only Buy Egg Yolks?

Yes, it is possible to buy egg yolks separately from egg whites in some areas of the world. This is a more common practice in professional kitchens, bakeries, and food processing facilities where egg yolks are often used as ingredients in various recipes.

That being said, as you will probably see from this article, it’s becoming an increasingly popular practice amongst home cooks as well.

Unfortunately, because the demand for egg yolks isn’t super high yet, you will likely have a difficult time finding them. Some grocery stores may carry them, but these are usually only the high-end or specialty ones.

If you’re looking to buy egg yolks, you might have better luck at restaurant supply stores or online retailers that cater to culinary professionals.

Additionally, some places might offer pasteurized egg yolks in liquid or frozen form, which can be convenient for certain recipes that require yolks without the whites.

Again, keep in mind that the availability of individual egg yolks varies mainly on your location and the demand in that location.

Benefits of Only Buying Egg Yolks

Now, here comes the part that may just convince everybody to switch over to this way of shopping for eggs.

There are many benefits to buying only egg yolks instead of whole eggs.

Reduced Food Waste

By purchasing only egg yolks, you can avoid discarding unused egg whites, which can be a common source of food waste for those who don’t have a specific use for them.

Efficiency and Convenience

Buying egg yolks alone saves you the effort and time of separating yolks from egg whites when you need them for recipes. This can be especially beneficial if you’re preparing dishes that primarily require yolks in large quantities.

Recipe Precision

Some recipes require a specific number of egg yolks without the whites. When you buy only yolks, you can ensure precise measurements and maintain the intended texture and consistency of your dishes.

We always recommend measuring your ingredients by weight. This way you will have precise and consistent results with every recipe that you make.

One egg yolk weighs around 18 grams.

Economic Choice

If you regularly use a lot of egg yolks but don’t have a frequent need for egg whites, buying only yolks can be an economically savvy choice, as it allows you to get the components you need without paying for unused portions.

Customization

Some recipes call for extra egg yolks to create richer or more indulgent versions of dishes. Having a supply of egg yolks on hand lets you adjust recipes to your taste preferences.

Reduced Allergen Concerns

If you or someone in your household has an egg white allergy, using only egg yolks can be a way to enjoy the flavor and benefits of eggs without triggering allergies.

Types of Egg Yolks Only Products You Can Buy

While the most common form of egg yolks is fresh, there is also a dried or powdered version that offers convenience and extended shelf life.

Again, finding one or the other largely depends on where you are located. From our experience, buying only egg yolks fresh is the easiest option at this time.

Dried egg yolks can mainly be found online.

Fresh Egg Yolks

Fresh egg yolks are the familiar, vibrant orange-yellow centers found within whole eggs. They are prized for their smooth texture and rich flavor, owing to their natural composition of fats, proteins, and essential nutrients.

Fresh egg yolks offer several advantages in culinary applications.

When you buy fresh egg yolks, they are usually broken and often blended to form a uniform yolk liquid. But don’t fret, they’ll still function exactly the same as whole egg yolks would.

Texture and Emulsification

Egg yolks are natural emulsifiers due to their lecithin content. They help create stable emulsions in sauces like hollandaise or mayonnaise, resulting in smooth and creamy textures.

Binding Agent

The proteins in egg yolks provide binding properties that help hold ingredients together, making them valuable for batters, doughs, and fillings.

Flavor Enrichment

Fresh egg yolks contribute a distinct richness and depth of flavor to dishes, elevating both sweet and savory preparations.

Color Enhancement

The vibrant hue of fresh egg yolks enhances the visual appeal of dishes like pasta and baked goods, making them visually enticing.

Dried/Powdered Egg Yolks

Dried or powdered egg yolks are produced by removing moisture from egg yolks through a careful drying process. The resulting product can be stored for longer periods and offers specific benefits.

This product is sold in vacuum-sealed or airtight packaging which further increases the shelf life of the dried egg yolks.

Extended Shelf Life

Dried egg yolks have significantly longer shelf lives compared to fresh ones, making them ideal for households or commercial kitchens that require a longer storage time.

Convenience

Dried egg yolks eliminate the need for separating yolks from whites and reduce the risk of spoilage, providing a convenient and readily available ingredient.

Reduced Water Content

With the moisture removed, dried egg yolks can be used to improve the texture of baked goods by contributing to their structure without adding excess water.

Easy Incorporation

Powdered egg yolks can be easily incorporated into dry mixtures, such as doughs and batters, leading to consistent results in recipes.

Uniform Flavors

Drying egg yolks helps concentrate their flavor, offering a more consistent and intense taste profile that can enhance the overall flavor of dishes.

Best Places to Buy Just Egg Yolks (Fresh)

Finding places that sell fresh egg yolks separately can be a bit challenging, as this is not a common offering in most regular grocery stores.

However, you might have better luck at specialty food stores, farmers’ markets, and local bakeries that focus on high-quality and unique ingredients.

• Local Farmers’ Markets: Farmers’ markets often feature local producers who might be more open to providing specific egg products based on customer preferences.

• Local Farms: Some local farms or poultry farms might offer the option to purchase individual egg yolks or custom orders, especially if they have a direct-to-consumer sales model.

• Specialty Food Stores: Gourmet or specialty food stores that cater to chefs, bakers, and culinary enthusiasts might carry fresh egg yolks or be able to source them for you.

• Wholesale Food Suppliers: Suppliers that provide ingredients to restaurants, bakeries, and catering businesses may offer fresh egg yolks in larger quantities.

• Online Retailers: Some online retailers that specialize in culinary ingredients might offer fresh egg yolks for purchase, either in bulk or in smaller quantities.

• Local Bakeries and Pastry Shops: Bakeries that make their own pastries, cakes, and custards might be open to selling fresh egg yolks for customers who want to replicate their recipes at home.

• Butcher Shops: Some upscale butcher shops or specialty grocery stores might carry a range of culinary ingredients, including fresh egg yolks.

• Local Co-ops and Health Food Stores: Cooperative markets and health food stores with an emphasis on organic and locally sourced products might be more inclined to provide unique ingredient options.

• Culinary Schools and Culinary Supply Stores: These establishments often carry a variety of cooking ingredients, including specialty items like fresh egg yolks.

• Networking and Direct Communication: Building relationships with local producers, farmers, chefs, or culinary professionals might lead you to sources for fresh egg yolks or even custom orders.

Best Places to Buy Just Egg Yolks (Dried)

Dried egg yolks are a convenient ingredient to have on hand for various culinary applications. They are often available at a wider range of retailers compared to fresh egg yolks sold separately.

• Online Retailers: Online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and specialty food stores’ websites often carry a variety of dried culinary ingredients, including dried egg yolks.

• Bulk Retailers: Stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, or other bulk retailers may have dried egg yolks available in larger quantities for cost-effective purchases.

• Specialty Food Stores: Gourmet or specialty food stores in your area may stock dried egg yolks for culinary enthusiasts and professional chefs.

• Baking Supply Stores: Stores that cater to baking and pastry supplies often carry dried egg yolks for use in baking recipes.

• Culinary Supply Stores: Culinary supply stores or restaurant supply stores may have dried egg yolks in various packaging sizes for both professional and home use.

• Health Food Stores: Some health food stores with a focus on whole, natural ingredients may offer dried egg yolks as a part of their product selection.

• Online Wholesalers: You can find dried egg yolks from wholesale suppliers who specialize in providing bulk ingredients to restaurants, bakeries, and other food service businesses.

• International or Ethnic Grocery Stores: These stores may carry dried egg yolks, especially if they cater to cuisines that commonly use this ingredient, such as Asian or European cuisine.

• Farmers’ Markets: In some cases, local farmers’ markets may have vendors who sell dried egg yolks, particularly if they produce and sell specialty food products.

• Cooperative Markets: Food co-ops or cooperative markets that focus on natural and organic foods may stock dried egg yolks as part of their selection.