Can I Substitute Different Size Eggs in Recipes?
Most standard recipes use large eggs as a default. In the case your recipe calls for an extra-large egg and all you have are medium, here’s a guide on how to substitute egg sizes thanks to Sauder Egg’s egg size chart.
one large egg = any other sized egg will worktwo large eggs = three small, two medium, two extra-large, or two jumbo eggsthree large eggs = four small, three medium, three extra-large eggs, or two jumbo eggsfour large eggs = five small, five medium, four extra-large, or three jumbo eggsfive large eggs = seven small, six medium, five extra-large eggs, or five jumbo eggs
If you have a recipe calling for the liquid measurement of eggs, note that medium to large eggs hold approximately 3 to 4 Tbsp. each. The egg equivalents for one cup equals four extra-large eggs, five large eggs, five medium eggs, or six small eggs.
Egg Sizing Guide
Sizing eggs is not based on the dimensions or how big the egg looks, but rather the total weight of a dozen eggs. The Egg Safety Center has a great chart detailing nutrition and size for each type of egg, but here’s the basic breakdown of net weight per dozen eggs:
Jumbo: 30 oz. (about 2.5 oz. per egg)Extra-large: 27 oz. (about 2.25 oz. per egg)Large: 24 oz. (about 2 oz. per egg)Medium: 21 oz. (about 1.75 oz. per egg)Small: 18 oz. (about 1.5 oz. per egg)
So, if you really want to ensure you’re using the exact egg amounts (say in a custard recipe), try weighing your eggs in a dish on a food scale ($21, Target) rather than using individual eggs. With egg sizes and conversion knowledge fresh on the mind, you’ll probably want to dig into an egg dish or two. For cooking ideas using any size egg, a delicious egg salad sandwich or a quiche sound pretty amazing. If it’s the specific egg size recipes you’re after, a cinnamon-pumpkin custard or vanilla cream pie with meringue topping are great ways to treat yourself.
