Making homemade egg nog that's safe (2024)

Making homemade egg nog that's safe (1)

Is it time to update your eggnog recipes to avoid the risk of foodborne illness? Refrigerated eggs with clean, uncracked shells can still be contaminated withSalmonellabacteria.

Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such asSalmonellathat may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria.

Use pasteurized eggs for eggnog

Eggnog may be safely made at home by using whole, liquidor pasteurized eggs. Pasteurized eggs are found next to regular eggs at the store. Egg substitutes can also be used. These products have also beenpasteurized. Using a pasteurized product means that no further cooking is necessary.

Cook regularegg mixture to 160℉

If using regular eggs that have not been pasteurized use a recipe in which you cook the egg mixture to 160℉. At this temperature,the egg mixture thickens enough to coat a spoon. Follow the recipe carefully. Refrigerate it at once. When refrigerating a large amount of cooked eggnog, divide it into several shallow containers. Then it will cool quickly.

If eggs whites are needed, use pasteurized eggs

If a recipe calls for folding raw, beaten egg whites into the eggnog, use pasteurized eggs. It has not been proven that raw egg whites are free ofSalmonellabacteria.

If you purchase eggnog from your local grocery store, the eggnog has been prepared with pasteurized eggs. You do not need to cook it.

Who's atrisk?

Salmonellaand the resulting foodborne illness can affect anyone but itsespecially risky for some people. This includes senior citizens, pregnant women and very young children. People with weakened immune systems who suffer from chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, liver disease and AIDS are also at risk. So be particularly careful when serving eggnog to those individuals.

Holidays are a fun but hectic time. By updating your eggnog recipes for safety, you'll have one less thing to worry about.

  • USDA.Consumer Food Safety Fact Sheets.
  • Utah State University, Food Safety Bulletin, No. 4 (2006).Safe eggnog requires pasteurized eggs (with recipe).

Kathy Brandt, Extension educator; and Suzanne Driessen, Extension educator

Reviewed in 2021

Page survey

Making homemade egg nog that's safe (2024)

FAQs

How to make eggs safe for eggnog? ›

Eggs must be cooked to 160 degrees F to kill bacteria such as Salmonella that may be present. If your eggnog recipe calls for raw eggs, it may not be safe. Adding alcohol inhibits bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria.

How long will homemade eggnog last? ›

Non-alcoholic eggnog: Consume within 1 day. Eggnog with 1/2 to 1 cup liquor: Refrigerate for several days. Eggnog with 1 1/2 cups liquor: Refrigerate for several weeks in a sealed glass container or mason jar, where it will continue aging and thicken up quite nicely.

What is the best alcohol to put in eggnog? ›

Choose The Right Spirit

While brandy is the most traditional alcohol to pair with eggnog, according to traditional recipes, you can also use a mixture of dark rum and Cognac. If you like your eggnog with more of a kick you can also add bourbon, but we recommend sticking to rum and Cognac to preserve the 'nog's flavors.

How much rum should I put in my eggnog? ›

Aim for a ratio of about five-to-one of eggnog to your selected spirit for the best flavor. For each 8-ounce glass, add one shot (1.5 ounces) of alcohol.

Should I pasteurize eggs for eggnog? ›

Adding alcohol will inhibit bacterial growth, but it cannot be relied upon to kill bacteria. Once alcohol is diluted, it no longer effectively kills bacteria. You will still need to use pasteurized eggs. Keep in mind that simmering eggnog over heat will remove the alcohol.

How to tell if eggnog is spoiled? ›

The Food and Drug Administration suggests consuming commercial eggnog within three to five days of opening a carton, and you should drink homemade eggnog within two to four days of making. If you're unsure whether eggnog has gone off, give it a whiff, and check for these signs: lumpy texture. spoiled milk smell.

What to store homemade eggnog in? ›

This eggnog recipe is best served cold with some homemade whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of nutmeg. Store leftover eggnog in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Is eggnog good for you? ›

Eggnog may not be considered a "health food," but the drink does have some nutritional benefits including certain vitamins and protein. Traditional eggnog is also high in sugar and fat, and for that reason, it's best to drink in moderation as a dessert.

What pairs best with egg nog? ›

Whiskey or bourbon

Both of these spirits work well with holiday flavors like vanilla and spice, so adding a dram to your mug of eggnog is as natural as pairing peppermint with chocolate. Be sure to use a good whiskey that you enjoy sipping on its own.

Is whiskey or rum better in eggnog? ›

Avoid white rum because it's too light and transparent. Instead, choose a gold or aged rum. For a fun twist similar to rye whiskey, go with spiced rum. For the best of both classics, pour both brandy and rum, splitting them equally in the eggnog.

What's the best rum for eggnog? ›

Chairman's Reserve Spiced Rum

"When choosing a rum, I personally find a spiced rum to be the best for the flavors incorporated in eggnogs," he said. "Chairman's Reserve Spiced Rum is best for its quality and flavor profile.”

Why is my homemade eggnog so thick? ›

It will thicken as it cools. If you want a thinner, completely smooth consistency, you can add the entire mixture to a blender with 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk and blend until smooth. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg, and fresh whipped cream, if desired. Store homemade eggnog in the fridge for up to one week.

Is it OK to drink a lot of eggnog? ›

And with the recommended serving size a paltry half a cup, eggnog is easy to over-indulge. High in fat and sugar, a single serving contains one-third of the fat Americans should eat daily.

Do you put ice in eggnog? ›

After giving it a good shake, you can strain and serve right away, or shake it again with ice if you prefer your eggnog extra chilled.

How to temper eggs for eggnog? ›

How to Temper Eggs
  1. Step 1: Boil the Milk. Bring the milk to a boil. ...
  2. Step 2: Whisk the Eggs in a Bowl. Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them. ...
  3. Step 3: Add the Milk to the Eggs. Add the milk in 1/2-cup increments to bring the temperature of the eggs up gradually while whisking.

How to buy pasteurized eggs? ›

Can You Buy Eggs Already Pasteurized? Some grocery stores sell refrigerated in-shell pasteurized eggs, though not all stores carry them. Look for them next to the regular eggs. Pasteurized liquid whole eggs sold in cartons are another option, but only for recipes calling for whole eggs.

Can you drink eggnog if allergic to eggs? ›

Avoid foods that contain eggs or any of these ingredients:

Egg (dried, powdered, solids, white, yolk) Eggnog.

Are grocery store eggs pasteurized? ›

According to the USDA, all egg products (egg contents that have been removed from their shells, such as egg whites) are pasteurized, but not all eggs inside their shell are pasteurized. In fact, only less than 3% of shell eggs are pasteurized in the US.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg O'Connell

Last Updated:

Views: 6303

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg O'Connell

Birthday: 1992-01-10

Address: Suite 517 2436 Jefferey Pass, Shanitaside, UT 27519

Phone: +2614651609714

Job: Education Developer

Hobby: Cooking, Gambling, Pottery, Shooting, Baseball, Singing, Snowboarding

Introduction: My name is Greg O'Connell, I am a delightful, colorful, talented, kind, lively, modern, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.