Salt-Cured Egg Yolks

An old Asian technique for eggs, these quick-cured egg yolks will add an umami boost to soups salads, rice, pasta and even avocado toast. 

Recipe by Jean | Lemons + Anchovies on December 2, 2018

Prep time: PT10M

Cook time: PT90M

Total time: PT100M

Rating

5 stars (3 reviews)

salt cured egg yolks, salted eggs, cured eggs

Whisk the salt and sugar together in a bowl. Spread out about half of the salt-sugar mixture on a baking dish or tray and create depressions about one inch apart using one of the using an egg shell. 
Place an egg yolk in each depression and cover using the remaining salt-sugar mixture. Use a light hand in sprinkling the mixture on top of the egg yolks to avoid breaking them. Wrap the dish in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for five days. (If you used extra large eggs, add an extra day.)
After five days: Preheat your oven to 150ºF and set a cooling rack on a baking sheet. Spray the rack with cooking spray. Carefully brush off the salt-sugar mixture from the eggs, rinse gently and pat dry. The yolks should be semi-farm at this point. Set on the rack and dry them in the oven for about 90 minutes. After their time in the oven the yolks will be dry, firm and opaque (the texture of gruyere cheese). Cool and grate/slice over salad, soup, rice and/or pasta. Will keep refrigerated for up to one month.

Mabel on 2020-07-02 (5 stars):
Hi Jean, I was so excited to see this recipe for salt cured egg yolks as my mother used to make a few dozen in extremely large glass jars using water mixed with food grade rock salt. You are right that it took weeks. She used them to make zongzi, glutinous rice stuffed with peanuts, Chinese sausage, dried shrimp, pork belly, and salt cured egg yolks wrapped with bamboo leaves, tied with string, and then simmered in stock pots for hours until they were done. Looking forward to making these soon! Also, I'm looking forward to trying out your other recipes. Filipino friends in the U.S. introduced me to various dishes including Relyenong Bangus which was absolutely delicious!
Michelle on 2018-12-03 (5 stars):
These pictures make it look like the bomb!! I may actually get in the kitchen to make some! Christmas IS coming. And this would make every one smile! Thanks Jean!!
Linger on 2018-12-03 (5 stars):
These are so interesting! I've never heard of these before but love all the things you can do with them. Also your photos are fabulous. I will have to try these. Thanks so much for sharing.