How to Separate an Egg White From a Yolk

A recipe will sometimes call for egg whites or egg yolks only. There are a few ways to separate the egg from the yolk.

Techniques

Egg whites can be separated from the yolks by hand or by using an egg separating apparatus.

By Hand

To separate whites and yolks by hand, crack the egg open by tapping the center on the edge of a glass bowl. Hold the egg upright over the bowl and slowly separate the halves, keeping the white and yolk in one half. Then, pour the yolk into the other half, letting the white drop out. Keep moving the yolk back and forth until all of the white is in the bowl.

Using an Egg Separator

Egg separators are small hand-held devices that can separate eggs--often without breaking the yolks. See housewares and kitchen-supply stores for these products.

Tip

To remove any pieces of egg shell that may have fallen into the bowl, use one of the egg shell halves to scoop the piece out.

Expert Insight

Don't discard the unused egg whites or yolks; place the unused parts in an ice cube tray and freeze them.

References

• Help With Cooking