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Duck Eggs vs Chicken Eggs

Duck Eggs 101 | Buttered Side Up
The other day, I did TWO embarrassing things at the grocery store.

I hurried into our little health food store to grab just a few items. Reuben and the kids were in the car, so I needed to shop quickly.

When I made my way to the produce section, I heard a distinct chirping. Thinking a cricket must have somehow made its way into the vegetables, I continued with my shopping.

An older gentlemen came up to two ladies shopping next to me.

“Did a cricket get into the store?” he asked them with a smile.

I turned and said, “I know, right?!”

“It’s my hearing aid,” a young lady replied.

I cringed and moved on to the dairy section, hoping they hadn’t heard my response.

As I was checking out, I lifted a half-dozen carton of duck eggs out of my cart. To my horror, the package opened, spilling the eggs into my cart.

“Did any of them crack?” the young man at the register asked.

A couple of them had. But I was just going to purchase them anyway and use them up fast. But the young man grabbed me a new carton. I was grateful to him, but I still felt bad for dropping the eggs.

Duck Eggs 101 | Buttered Side Up
Anyway.

Until recently, I had never tried duck eggs. I hadn’t noticed them in any of our grocery stores and, to be honest, they kind of scared me. But after reading about how nutritious they were, I decided to be brave and give them a try. If you are lucky enough to find them at a local store, give them a go!

Duck Eggs 101 | Buttered Side Up


Today I’d like to share with you the difference between duck eggs and chicken eggs:


SIZE:

Duck eggs are about 1.3-1.4 times as big as a large chicken egg. The average duck egg is about 70 grams, whereas the average chicken egg is about 50 grams. I measured out a duck and chicken egg, and the duck egg was 1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons, and the chicken egg was a scant 1/4 cup.

NUTRITIONAL CONTENT:

Ounce for ounce, duck eggs contain more nutrients than chicken eggs. This is probably because they have a larger ratio of egg to yolk – the yolk is where all the good vitamins, minerals, and fats are stored. Duck eggs contain more Vitamin A, D, and B12, Folate, Calcium, Phosphorous, Potassium, and more! They also have a higher concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Duck Eggs 101 | Buttered Side Up
TASTE:

Many sources agree that duck eggs have a stronger flavor than chicken eggs, and I would concur. Keep in mind that the only duck eggs I have ever tried were pasture-raised. In my experience, pastured eggs are tastier than grain-fed eggs. So I’m not sure if it’s just because the duck eggs were pastured, or if it’s the intrinsic duck flavor that makes them stronger tasting.

Duck Eggs vs Chicken Eggs
COOKING:

You can cook duck eggs just like you would a chicken egg. However, if you’re using it in a recipe, don’t substitute them at a 1:1 ratio. As I mentioned, duck eggs are larger. If a recipe calls for 4 chicken eggs, 3 duck eggs should be about the right amount.

OTHER DIFFERENCES:

I find that the whites of duck eggs are clearer than chicken eggs. Also, the shells of duck eggs are tougher.

Duck Eggs 101 | Buttered Side Up
RECIPES

Here are a few recipes that call for duck eggs:

Duck Ramen from Wild Greens and Sardines
Baked Duck Eggs from Bea’s Cookbook
Duck Egg Mayonnaise from Slim Palate
Poached Duck Egg with Asparagus, Ham and Mustard Dressing from Great British Chefs
Duck Egg Sponge Cake from BBC Good Food
Baked Duck Eggs from House and Garden Co.
Dukkah Deviled Eggs from The Bojon Gourmet
Duck Egg Salad from The Bojon Gourmet
Duck Egg Frittata with Peas and Beans from Jamie Oliver
Soft-Boiled Duck Egg with Bacon & Asparagus Soldiers from BBC Good Food

I personally like to scramble or fry my duck eggs. Also, I find that it takes about 8-9 minutes of boiling (using my soft-boiled egg method) to get a nicely soft boiled duck egg.

Have you ever tried duck eggs? What did you think of them?

Nutrition Data Sources: Self Nutrition Data, Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel, Paleo Leap, and Modern Farmer 

Vickie Patterson

Thursday 4th of July 2019

I just bought some pasture raised duck eggs yesterday. I was looking for chicken eggs but the farm I bought them at had just sold out of the chicken eggs. The farmer offered me the duck eggs at the same price. I had never eaten them before, that I can remember, but I thought I would give them a try. I remember when I was young my Dad would eat duck and Turkey eggs so I thought why not. I will have to let you know how they turn out.

Erica Kastner

Monday 8th of July 2019

That's awesome that you got your eggs for such a great deal! Hope you enjoy. :)

Elizabeth

Sunday 18th of February 2018

We are raising ducks and love their eggs. We have talked with a grocery that sells local products. Do you mind telling me how much you pay? We have all been curious about a market value. Currently we eat them ourselves and sell them to a near-by culinary school.

Shah

Thursday 3rd of November 2016

Duck eggs is more preferable rather tham that of chicken eggs.But different people have different choice. Some people like to eat duck eggs and some people like to eat chicken eggs.The www.my-myitkyina.com/mh_html/college.htm is helping the people who like to have their choice of either duck eggs or chicken eggs.There are many nutrients in the duck eggs rater than the chicken eggs.

WilliamKing

Tuesday 27th of September 2016

nice

Erica Lea

Saturday 24th of September 2016

I hear ya' about eggs - when I was pregnant I kind of despised them. I had to force myself to eat them. I've found that adding veg, fruit, or meat really helps. :)