Salted Duck Eggs
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 3 eggs 1x
Description
With a briny aroma, translucent egg white, and bright orange-red yolk, salted eggs are a common ingredients in Chinese and Malaysian cuisine.
Ingredients
- 3 Duck Eggs (or Chicken Eggs)
- 1/4 cup (50 g) Sea Salt (or Rock Salt)
- 1 cup (250ml) Water
- 1 tsp Shaoxing wine
- 1/2 Star Anise
- 1/2 tsp Sichuan Peppercorns
- *Clean glass container / jar that fits the eggs snugly.
Instructions
- Add water, salt in a saucepan. Add star anise and Sichuan peppercorns. Bring it to a boil. Once the salt completely dissolves, turn off the heat. Let cool completely, then add in Shaoxing wine and stir well.
- Meanwhile, rinse the eggs and wipe them dry with teatowel.
- Carefully arrange the eggs in a clean glass container. (Note: check every egg to make sure there are no cracks on it.) Pour salted water into the container and cover the eggs. If your container is large, some eggs above would float to the surface, place a little sauce plate or something on top of the eggs to get all eggs submerse completely in the brine. Tightly cover the container and place at room temperature.
- The brining process takes 30 to 40 days. Label the start and finish dates on the container, or set a reminder on your phone or calendar. After 30 days, take one egg out to cook. If the egg is not salty enough, let the rest to brine for a few days more. If you’re satisfied, drain all eggs out and wipe dry. Keep them in the fridge, they can be kept for a few weeks. Mine was kept for a month.
Notes
- Before placing the eggs in the container, do make sure all the eggs are not broken or have any cracks.
- If you don’t have star anise and Sichuan peppercorns, you can replace with any tea leaves you like when cooking the salted water.
- The egg shells would look darker, infused by the fragrance of the tea you used.
- The egg yolks would turn orange-red beautifully because of the effect of adding Shaoxing wine.
- The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 days
- Category: Appetiser
- Cuisine: Chinese/Malaysian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 egg
- Calories: 130
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the brining process take, and how do you know when the eggs are ready?
The brining takes 30 to 40 days at room temperature. After 30 days, take one egg out and cook it to taste — if it isn’t salty enough, let the remaining eggs brine for a few more days. Once satisfied, drain all eggs, wipe dry, and refrigerate where they will keep for several weeks.
Why is Shaoxing wine added to the brine?
The notes explain that the Shaoxing wine causes the egg yolks to turn a beautiful bright orange-red color during the brining period. It also adds subtle depth to the brine alongside the star anise and Sichuan peppercorns.
Can the star anise and Sichuan peppercorns be substituted?
Yes — the notes say you can replace them with tea leaves of your choice when boiling the salted water. Using tea will infuse the eggshells with a darker color and a different fragrance, making each batch unique. 
