The True Difference Between Jumbo and Large Eggs
Updated: May 28, 2019
Double check your eggs before baking!
Here’s a situation: You’re in a rush at the store and need to grab a carton of eggs. There’s an entire wall of yellow, white and blue boxes each labeled cage-free, free-range, organic—and countless other selling points. You’re not picky. You quickly grab a carton (and take a peek to ensure they aren’t broken) and continue to checkout.
While the eggs may look similar enough, there’s one thing you might not consider when purchasing at the store. Egg size.
Egg Sizes
Unless you’re gathering eggs from the backyard or your local farmer’s market, eggs are labeled with a standardized size set by the USDA. These guidelines classify eggs according to their weight by the dozen and sort them into groups:
- Peewee: 15oz.
- Small: 18oz.
- Medium: 21oz.
- Large: 24oz.
- Extra Large: 27oz.
- Jumbo: 30oz.
*Peewee and small eggs are a pretty rare find here in the U.S.
While there will be some inevitable variation between the individual eggs in your carton, on average, this means a large egg should weigh about 2 ounces and a jumbo egg should hit about 2.5 ounces on your scale. (Extra large fall somewhere in the middle around 2.2 ounces per egg.)
Why Does Egg Size Matter?
While size may not make much of a difference if you’re whipping up scrambled eggs or one of these other classic egg recipes, size does matter when baking. Most baking recipes (including our own!) specify to use large eggs in the ingredient list, as even a half-ounce egg can throw off a recipe. For example, cakes with too much egg can become tough and rubbery, while a cake with too little egg can turn short and crumbly.
What If I’m Baking With Jumbo?
Don’t fear! With simple math and a digital scale, you can convert jumbo eggs to large eggs. Simply multiply the weight of a single large egg (2oz.) by the number that the recipe calls for (e.g. 5 x 2oz. = 10oz of eggs). Then whisk your jumbo eggs in a small bowl. Place a separate bowl on your digital scale and pour the whisked eggs until you reach your desired weight.
You may have a little leftover but that’s OK. Simply save it for tomorrow’s breakfast scramble for more eggy goodness.
Bacon and Eggs Casserole
Because it's fast to fix and such a great hit with family and friends, this egg casserole with bacon is a favorite of mine to make for brunches. Served with a fruit salad, hot muffins and croissants, it's excellent for an after-church meal. —Deanna Durward-Orr, Windsor, Ontario.
Also, check how to crack an egg perfectly every time.
Do you know what are Turkish eggs? Here’s everything you need to know about them.
Fluffy Scrambled EggsWhen our son, Chris, wants something other than cold cereal in the morning, he whips up these eggs. Cheese and evaporated milk make them especially good. They're easy to make when you're camping, too. —Chris Pfleghaar, Elk River, Minnesota
Also, check this scrambled eggs by Ina Garten because once you taste scrambled eggs made Ina Garten’s way, you’ll never go back!
Creamy Egg SaladI love the versatility of this creamy egg salad. You can serve it on a nest of mixed greens, tucked into a sandwich or with your favorite crisp crackers. —Cynthia Kohlberg, Syracuse, Indiana
Sausage, Egg and Cheddar Farmers BreakfastThis hearty combination of sausage, hash browns and eggs will warm you up on a cold winter morning. —Bonnie Roberts, Newaygo, Michigan
Cream Cheese & Chive OmeletThe first bite of creamy filling lets you know this isn’t any old omelet. Make it once, and we suspect you’ll be fixing it often. —Anne Troise, Manalapan, New Jersey
Hard-Boiled EggsIn the kitchen, it's important to start with something simple, like how to cook hard-boiled eggs. Use this egg recipe in plenty of dishes, or eat them plain for a quick protein fix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mind checking Gordon Ramsay’s scrambled eggs recipe? .Check if it is worth the hype.
Yankee RancherosAfter my in-laws began affectionately referring to me as a Yankee, I decided I had to learn to make some Mexican dishes. These are super easy and make my Tex-Mex-loving family happy—even if they do come from a Northerner!. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
Sausage Tortilla Breakfast BakeThis casserole is perfect for a special brunch. It combines the spices of the Southwest with the comfort of a hearty breakfast. You can spice it up by adding cayenne and hot peppers, or mellow it by replacing the tomatoes and green chiles with mild salsa. It’s versatile and easy—no wonder it’s a longtime family favorite. —Darlene Buerger, Peoria, Arizona
Brunch BurritosI like to use a second slow cooker to keep the tortillas warm and pliable when I serve these hearty burritos. Just place a clean wet cloth in the bottom, then cover it with foil and add your tortillas.—Beth Osburn, Levelland, Texas
Italian Cloud EggsDrop egg yolks on nests of whipped Italian-seasoned egg whites, then bake in a cast-iron skillet. Dreamy!—Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Creamy Pesto ‘n Bacon Eggs BenedictOne of my favorite brunch dishes is eggs Benedict. While I adore the traditional version, I also have fun using other flavors. This is my Italian take using a semi-homemade creamy pesto sauce.—Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Southwestern Hash with EggsBefore I retired, this all-in-one skillet dish was constantly requested at office brunches. I'd leave out the eggs, double or triple the recipe and wrap servings of the zippy pork mixture in warm corn tortillas. —Barbara Beasley, Beaumont, Texas
Eggsquisite Breakfast CasseroleI developed this recipe over 20 years ago. The rich warm sauce tastes especially great on cold winter mornings. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine! — Bee Fischer, Jefferson, Wisconsin
Veggie Sausage StrataAs a retired home economics teacher, I've made quite a few recipes through the years. This hearty casserole is a favorite in my family. —Dorothy Erickson, Blue Eye, Missouri
Bacon & Mushroom OmeletsI had grown tired of the same breakfast meals, so I wanted to make something more interesting. These fresh and flavorful omelets come with a versatile sauce that can also be used as a nacho dip. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
Cheesy Ham & Egg SandwichesI turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Brunch PizzaWhenever I entertain guests, this zippy pizza is a definite crowd-pleaser. It also makes a great late-night snack for any time of the year! —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin
Overnight Asparagus StrataI've made this tasty egg dish for breakfast, brunch, even dinner as a side dish. This is not your run-of-the-mill strata. —Lynn Licata, Sylvania, Ohio
Ham 'n' Cheese Omelet RollThis brunch dish has easy ingredients and an impressive look all rolled into one! I love hosting brunch, and this special omelet roll is one of my very favorite items to prepare and share. A platter of these pretty swirled slices disappears fast. —Nancy Daugherty, Portland, Ohio
Sheepherder's BreakfastMy sister-in-law always made this delicious breakfast dish when we were camping and had to come up with good, easy breakfast ideas. Served with toast, juice and milk or coffee, it's a sure hit with the breakfast crowd! One-dish casseroles like this were a big help while I was raising my nine children. Now I've passed this recipe on to them. —Pauletta Bushnell, Albany, Oregon
Makeover Deviled EggsThis updated version of a classic appetizer uses only half the egg yolks of the original recipe and calls for soft bread crumbs to help firm up the filling. We replaced the mayo with fat-free mayonnaise and reduced-fat sour cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mediterranean Broccoli & Cheese OmeletMy Italian mother-in-law taught me to make this omelet years ago—she would make it for breakfast, lunch or dinner and eat it on Italian bread. This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover broccoli. —Mary Licata, Pembroke Pines, Florida
Prosciutto-Pesto Breakfast StrataI'd never tried prosciutto before this recipe, and it instantly made me a big-time fan! The layers of flavor in this dish are brilliant, making it well worth the time and a must for your recipe box. —Vicki Anderson, Farmington, Minnesota
Sausage and Egg CasseroleFor the perfect combination of eggs, sausage, bread and cheese, this is the dish to try. My mom and I like this sausage breakfast casserole because it bakes up tender and golden, slices beautifully and goes over well whenever we serve it. —Gayle Grigg, Phoenix, Arizona
Calico Scrambled EggsWhen you're short on time and scrambling to get a meal on the table, this recipe is just what you need. There's a short ingredient list, cooking is kept to a minimum. and the green pepper and tomato makes it colorful. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Salsa & Scrambled Egg SandwichesPower up with a breakfast that keeps you going all morning long. In my humble opinion, this sandwich tastes so much better than anything that comes from a drive-thru! —Marcia Conlon, Traverse City, Michigan
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Originally Published: May 28, 2019
