Duck Egg Basics

2015 June 11

This is modified from a half-page handout I was distributing back when I was running a small Duck Egg CSA almost a decade ago.

Duck eggs as compared to chicken eggs:

• A large chicken egg is 50 g (1.8 oz) while an average duck egg is 70 g (2.5 oz), and duck eggs have larger yolks
• Membranes are thicker, making eggs slightly harder to crack
• Protein content is 13.3%, compared to 12.9% in chicken eggs
• Fat content is 14.5%, compared to 11.5-12.5% in chicken eggs
• Cholesterol content is slightly higher

Sources: Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks by Dave Holderread & A Visual Guide to Eggs by Lauren Salkeld

Duck egg cooking tips:

• Duck eggs taste similar to chicken eggs but are richer, creamier, and more intense to some palates
• Higher protein and fat content means duck eggs are excellent for baked goods and custards
• Large duck eggs can be substituted for jumbo chicken eggs
• For finicky or precise recipes that call for chicken eggs, weigh duck eggs on a kitchen scale to select the correct amount
• Older (3+ weeks) eggs shell more easily when hard-boiled
• Store eggs with the narrower side down to center the yolk

Variation is Natural!

Egg size, shape, yolk color, and shell color and thickness all vary according to breed, age, diet, and season, and each duck has its own quirks. Our flock contains laying females of five different breeds and a range of ages, so eggs within one carton won't look exactly the same. We wash our eggs by hand rather than with a machine, so some natural shell discoloration is normal.

Perfect Hard-Boiled Duck Eggs

• Arrange eggs in a pot and cover with cold water by an inch.
• Cover pot and bring water to a boil on the stove.
• Once boiling, remove pot from heat.
• Let covered pot sit for 10-12 minutes, depending on egg size.
• Remove eggs from water and let cool before peeling.

Egg & Olive

• Chop equal amounts of hard-boiled duck eggs and olives. (We use a combination of pimento-stuffed and black olives.)
• Mix in a bowl with just enough mayonnaise to hold the ingredients together, and season liberally with black pepper.
• Serve between slices of toasted bread.