5 from 108 votes
How to Make Chinese Salted Egg Recipe
This recipe details a method for producing Chinese-style salted eggs by brining whole clean eggs (traditionally duck eggs, here using chicken eggs) in a saltwater solution for about a month. The process preserves the eggs and results in a salty, firm egg ideal for use in various dishes.
Prep Time
20 d 10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings:
12
eggs
Calories:
63 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Breakfast, Snacks
Cuisine:
Chinese, Filipino
Ingredients
- 12 egg traditionally duck eggs but you can substitute with chicken (I use chicken as duck eggs are not sold in Singapore. Note chicken eggs will result in a slightly less flavourful salted egg and may brine faster than duck eggs due to the difference in their shells
- 4 Cups water (1 litre) I use tap water in the UK and in Singapore but the safety of tap water may vary from country to country.
- 1 Cup salt (250g) Rock salt, kosher salt and canning salt all use. If using table salt, you need it to be very fine.
Instructions
- Clean the eggs well, checking for any cracks in the shells. (Do not use eggs with broken shells) Dry the eggs then place them in a glass (or plastic) jar.
- Combine the water and salt in a pot and bring to the boil. Stir to make sure all the salt is dissolved. Turn the heat off and allow the brine to cool to room temperature. (If you are adding shaoxing wine, now would be the time to add it. Don't rush this process- the salted water needs to cool completely.)
- Pour the cooled brine into the jar and make sure it is sufficient to fully cover the eggs. Place the half-filled zip-lock bag on top of the eggs to make sure the eggs are totally submerged.
- Cover the container and store at room temperature for a month. (I place mine under the kitchen sink).
- From day 18 onwards (or day 20 if using duck eggs), take 1 egg out of the brine. Boil it and eat it. If it tastes salty enough for you, remove all the eggs from the solution, rinse them with water and store them in the fridge. If you'd like a saltier egg, allow the eggs to continue brining. Keep tasting every day or so till you are satisfied with the eggs. (Eggs are then washed and refrigerated)
- Do note the egg whites may become too unpleasantly salty to be consumed if you brine the eggs past 20 days. (Most recipes only call for the salted egg yolk but it's rather wasteful to throw the whites out! The whites go well with rice or porridge.)
Cup of Yum
Notes
- If your container is small, reduce the number of eggs to avoid cracking and spoilage.
- Additions like sugar, spices, or shaoxing wine in the brine are optional and may enhance aroma or color, but are not necessary.
- Chicken eggs can be used as a substitute for duck eggs, though resulting flavor may be milder and curing time shorter.
Nutrition Information
Calories
63kcal
(3%)
Carbohydrates
0.3g
(0%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Trans Fat
0.02g
(1%)
Cholesterol
164mg
(55%)
Sodium
8141mg
(339%)
Potassium
62mg
(1%)
Sugar
0.2g
(0%)
Vitamin A
238IU
(5%)
Calcium
32mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 eggs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 63
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 63kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 0.3g | 0% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 164mg | 55% |
| Sodium | 8141mg | 339% |
| Potassium | 62mg | 1% |
| Sugar | 0.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 238IU | 5% |
| Calcium | 32mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.