It happens to the best of us. You’re gathering the eggs or you’re packaging them up into the carton and you accidentally crack an egg.
You hate to throw it out, but is it safe to eat cracked eggs?
So just to clarify before we jump in, we are not talking about store bought eggs that you bring home and you find out are cracked. I would not recommend eating those under any circumstance.
What we are talking about is your farm fresh eggs that you accidentally crack while gathering them or you find them cracked in the coop when you go to gather them and you’re gathering them every day. So, you know, they haven’t been sitting there that long.
So is it Safe to Eat Cracked Chicken Eggs?
Well, first of all, how cracked is it? Is the shell broken but that inner membrane still intact? If so, I would go ahead and eat them. I’ve eaten a lot of minorly cracked eggs like that.
However, if an egg is cracked and there is egg white oozing out of the shell, do not eat it. That is gross. And there is a lot of bacteria that possibly could have gotten in there. There is absolutely no protection. So those I would just give to the dog or toss it out. It is not worth the risk at that point.
Okay. So let’s say you have a cracked egg and the inner membrane is still intact. Here are a few tips if you want to eat them.
Tips if you Do Want to Eat the Cracked Chicken Egg
Tip #1: Don’t Wash the Cracked Egg
First of all, don’t wash the egg with water. This might sound counterintuitive but if the egg is super dirty, I would throw it away.
If you have to wash the egg, there’s just too much of a chance that bacteria will get inside. If it’s too dirty to brush off and put in the carton, that egg is a goner.
But if it comes out pretty clean like most do, then I will put it in the carton and refrigerate it.
Tip #2: Refrigerate the Cracked Egg Right Away
Secondly, be sure to refrigerate the cracked eggs, even if you don’t typically refrigerate your eggs I recommend refrigerating your slightly cracked eggs. I typically refrigerate my eggs regardless as they last much longer, but you can learn more in my video on refrigerating eggs.
Tip #3: Use your Cracked Eggs First
And tip number three, use the cracked eggs ASAP. If I crack an egg or two one night, I put those in the carton that I’m going to be eating from right away the next day so that they get eaten up first and don’t sit in the fridge for weeks or months.
You don’t want to eat cracked eggs that have been sitting there for that long. They are more prone to bacteria growth.
Tip #4: Do What You’re Comfortable With
And tip number four is to go with what you’re comfortable. If it grosses you out or you can’t get over the fact that you’re eating a slightly cracked egg, don’t eat it. Just give it to the dog or the cats. I’m sure they will be happy to take it off your hands.
Don’t feel like you have to eat your cracked eggs if you don’t feel comfortable doing it.
