How to Save Money on Eggs
With prices on the rise, you might be wondering how to save money on eggs. You might even be wondering if it’s worthwhile to get laying hens for your own farm-fresh eggs. For some people, a few chickens might be a great way to save a bit of cash on eggs but there is a lot to consider before you bring home chickens. It’s also important to know that the cost of keeping chickens is rapidly increasing, due to increases in grain and chick prices. There are also an increasing number of people bringing home a flock of hens, which increases demand and also the prices on everything chicken-related. Fortunately, there are some ways to save money on eggs without getting chickens.
Are you looking for ways to decrease the cost of your home-raised eggs? Check out my post 12 Ways to Save Money on Chicken Feed.
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Here are some ways to save money on the price of eggs or reduce your consumption of eggs to save money:
- Replace eggs with ground flax seeds in baked goods
- Purchase powdered eggs in bulk
- Buy farm-fresh eggs from a local farm
- Watch for sales and store the extras
- Ask for a reduced price on a carton with a cracked egg (throw away the cracked eggs)
- Buy eggs in bulk and split the order with a friend
- Don’t waste eggs – check the old ones to see if they are still good
Replace Eggs with Flax Meal in Baked Goods
It’s easy to replace eggs in baked goods with flax meal and it adds fiber and omega-3 to your food. Here’s how to replace one egg with flax…
1 Egg = 1 Tablespoon flax meal + 3 Tablespoons water… combine and allow to stand for 5 minutes
Use this mixture in place of one egg in a recipe for baked goods, such as cakes or muffins, and save the fresh eggs for breakfast! There are other substitutes listed below that can also be used in your baking.
Be aware that these substitutions will change the texture and flavor of your baked goods somewhat. You may wish to experiment to find the best egg replacement for your needs.
You may also substitute the following for 1 medium egg:
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt (or non-dairy yogurt)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 Tablespoon vinegar and 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup mashed banana
- 1/4 cup silk tofu, pureed (may also be scrambled for breakfast)
Purchase Powdered Eggs in Bulk
If you don’t use a lot of eggs it might make sense to purchase powdered eggs in a resealable packet. Reconstitute as many eggs as you need, following the instructions. The resealable package will keep the remaining powder fresh until you need it. This may not be the cheapest option but it helps reduce food waste and ensures you have eggs in storage for emergencies.
If you find a source of powdered eggs in large buckets for the food service industry the cost is usually lower.
Buy Farm Fresh Eggs Locally
There is no guarantee that local farms and chicken owners will have a low price on eggs. They are also paying more for feed, fuel, and livestock supplies so the cost will be passed on to the consumer. However, you might find someone with a good price and lovely fresh eggs nearby. Keep in mind that these eggs are usually not candled and may have small meat spots or come in a variety of colors other than white.
Buy Eggs When They Go on Sale
This might sound like a no-brainer but did you know that you can buy extras and store them for later? Eggs are easy to freeze and use later but there is a trick to it. Here’s how to freeze eggs for the best flavor…
- Crack the number of eggs you wish to freeze into a bowl
- Beat the eggs thoroughly
- Add small one pinch of salt or sugar for every two eggs
- Pour eggs into a freezer-safe container, leaving 1 to 2-inches of headspace
- Freeze eggs and use them within 1 year (4 months for best flavor)
- Thaw eggs before cooking or mixing into batter
When freezing extra eggs, you’ll want to scramble them and add a pinch of salt or sugar for each egg to help maintain the proper texture. Without this small addition, your eggs may have a rubbery texture. Use salt for eggs that will be used in savory dishes and sugar in eggs for baked goods or sweet dishes.
Freeze your beaten eggs in the increments you use most often. If you usually need two eggs for baking, freeze two eggs with a couple of small pinches of sugar. If you use a dozen eggs for breakfast just beat the eggs, add about 1 teaspoon of salt, combine well, and freeze for later.
Don’t Pay for Cracked Eggs
Some stores will sell a carton at a reduced price if one or two eggs are cracked. It doesn’t hurt to ask! If the remaining eggs are covered in raw eggs, they may have bacteria on them. In that case, it might be best to pass on that carton of eggs.
Even if your store doesn’t reduce the price in a situation like this, make sure you don’t pay full price on a carton with cracked eggs. It’s been a while, but I always open each carton and move each egg to make sure it isn’t cracked and stuck to the bottom of the carton.
Don’t use cracked eggs due to the bacteria they may contain.
Save Money on Eggs by Buying in Bulk
If you shop at a large grocery store, you may have the option of purchasing a gross (12 dozen eggs) or maybe a 60-pack. That’s a lot of eggs for most families. However, most eggs will store for 3 to 5 weeks once purchased and may be stored longer than that. Follow the instructions for freezing eggs in the section above, Buying Eggs When They Go On Sale.
If you decide to split a gross of eggs with friends or family, make sure you have extra cartons to put them in. Determine the price per dozen (don’t forget tax, if applicable) and divvy up the cost accordingly.
Save Money – Don’t Waste Eggs
This might also seem like common sense but food waste is a common problem for many families. Don’t buy more eggs than you can use, even if it seems like a great deal. If you purchase large amounts on sale or for a lower cost per egg, make sure you freeze the extras if they won’t be used up in time.
If you’re wondering how long eggs will keep, freshly-laid eggs can keep for 3 or 4 months in the refrigerator after washing, or up to 3 months in cool temperatures when they are unwashed. I prefer to wash eggs and store them in the refrigerator but some people choose to store them at room temperature. Either way, you’ll want to use the eggs before they develop an off odor or flavor.
Some people recommend using the float test to determine how fresh an egg is. If the egg drops to the bottom of a pan of water, it is very fresh. If the large end bobbles to the top, it isn’t as fresh. If the egg floats to the top, most people throw the egg away. These eggs aren’t very fresh and have lost moisture through evaporation. The older the egg is, the larger the air sac in the large end of the end will be. Although these eggs aren’t very fresh, I crack them open into a bowl and check them. If they don’t smell or look bad, I will still use them in baked goods. Once an egg smells off, throw it away. Disclaimer: This works for me and I haven’t had a problem but be very careful to check them thoroughly.
Saving Money On Eggs Helps Reduce Your Grocery Bill
I hope that these ideas for saving money on eggs are helpful and give you some ideas to stretch your grocery bill. I find that the first defense against rising food costs is reducing food waste. Now that you have some ideas for ways to reduce your ‘eggspenses’ I hope you can save some cash!
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