The Info You Need to Substitute Different Size Eggs for One Another

If you're the main grocery shopper in your household, you probably buy the same egg size every time. But give a quick glance at the egg aisle of the market, and you'll notice there are quite a few options. The most common size might be large eggs, but there are also medium and extra-large eggs. So what if you buy medium eggs (because they're cheaper or it was all the store had left) but you come across a recipe calling for extra-large eggs? In cooking recipes such as fried rice or a morning scramble, egg-size substitutions make little difference. In baking recipes such as a soufflé, however, there's more science involved, so egg size can impact results. Read on to learn more about egg sizing to know how to substitute medium or large eggs for extra-large eggs (and vice versa).

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 work
• two large eggs = three small, two medium, two extra-large, or two jumbo eggs
• three large eggs = four small, three medium, three extra-large eggs, or two jumbo eggs
• four large eggs = five small, five medium, four extra-large, or three jumbo eggs
• five 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.