Have you ever thought of whipping up a batch of turkey eggs or making turkey egg omelets? I’d venture to say most people haven’t thought about this, but why?
Let’s find out all about turkey eggs, whether you can eat them or not, and more!
Turkey eggs are a bit of a mystery to most people. You’ve likely eaten chicken duck and quail eggs, but turkey eggs seem to be nowhere in sight. So do they actually taste good, and what’s the deal with them anyway?
I’ve done some digging to get to the bottom of this egg quandary. Keep reading to find out if turkey eggs are worth tracking down, how their flavor and nutrition compares, and why you rarely see them for sale
Why Don’t We Eat Turkey Eggs?
First things first – yes, turkeys do lay eggs. However, there are a few key differences between turkeys and egg-laying superstars like chickens and ducks.
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Turkeys lay far fewer eggs. On average, a turkey will lay around 100 eggs per year, compared to 300 for chickens and ducks.
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Turkeys start laying later. While chickens begin laying at around 5 months old, turkeys don’t start until 7 months.
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Turkey eggs are more expensive to produce. Turkeys are larger birds with higher space and feeding requirements.
With lower supply, higher costs and a slower return, commercially farming turkeys for eggs just isn’t practical. You may occasionally see turkey eggs for sale at specialty shops or farmers markets, but they’ll come with a premium price tag.
Taste – How Do Turkey Eggs Taste Compared to Chicken Eggs?
The few lucky souls who have tried turkey eggs report that they taste remarkably similar to chicken eggs. The flavor is near identical, with a yolk that is only slightly richer and creamier.
The main differences are in the eggs’ physical characteristics:
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Turkey eggs are larger – about 1.5 times the size of a chicken egg.
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The shells are thicker, with a tougher membrane beneath.
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The shape is more elongated, with a pointier end.
But in terms of taste, turkey eggs are almost indistinguishable from the more common chicken egg. Many people claim they’re actually able to substitute them 1:1 in any recipe without noticing a difference.
So while you may pay more for the novelty, the flavor likely won’t justify the price tag on its own. Turkey eggs seem to boast more similarities than differences compared to their chicken cousins.
Nutrition – How Do Turkey Eggs Measure Up?
When it comes to nutrition, turkey eggs follow a similar pattern to taste. They resemble chicken eggs in nutrient content, but have some key differences:
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More protein – 9g vs 5g in chicken eggs
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More fat and calories – 9g fat and 135 calories vs 5g and 72 for large chicken eggs
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Significantly more cholesterol – nearly 2x as much
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Higher in B vitamins, particularly B12 and folate
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Excellent source of choline, like all eggs
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Also contain iron, vitamin A, selenium
So turkey eggs do pack more of a nutritional punch than chicken eggs. The bump in protein is great news, since egg protein contains all nine essential amino acids.
However, the increases in fat, calories and cholesterol should be considered if you’re watching your intake of those. Overall though, turkey eggs make a very healthy choice.
Where to Find Turkey Eggs
This is the tricky part. You’ll rarely come across turkey eggs in regular supermarkets, even at Thanksgiving. Specialty or ethnic grocery stores are another possibility, but even then they may not carry them.
Your best options are:
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Farmer’s markets – Ask any vendors selling heritage breed turkeys if they have eggs available.
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Local farms – Specifically ones that focus on raising heritage turkey breeds. Many traditional turkey breeds lay more eggs than the commercial broad-breasted turkeys.
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Special order – You may be able to request turkey eggs through local food co-ops or health food stores. This takes some luck and advanced planning.
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Raise your own turkeys – Of course, keeping chickens is more common and practical, but a small backyard turkey flock could be an option if you’re really eager.
With a bit of persistence, you should be able to hunt down at least a few turkey eggs. Spring is your best season, when wild turkeys are laying. But expect to pay anywhere from $2-5 per egg.
Should You Try Turkey Eggs?
Probably, if you have the chance! Here are some good reasons to give them a taste:
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They’re a tasty novelty item and conversation piece. Always fun to try unique foods.
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The nutrition is excellent, and potentially better than chicken eggs.
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You’ll be supporting small sustainable farms that raise heirloom turkey breeds.
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It satisfies your curiosity once and for all!
The bottom line is turkey eggs really don’t taste all that much different than chicken eggs. But they’re worth sampling for the experience if you have access and an adventurous palate. Just don’t expect the mind-blowing flavor you may get from a duck egg.
Can We Eat Turkey Eggs?
Believe it or not, you can most certainly eat turkey eggs. There is not a single reason that you can’t eat turkey eggs – except for the fact that you might be weirded out about the thought. And if you do eat turkey eggs, will you live to tell the story?
Yes, you will live. They taste identical to chicken eggs and have the same basic set of minerals and vitamins. Indeed, they have vitamin b, magnesium, folic acid, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, potassium, sodium, and more! So there is no reason to be afraid.
So why do we hear about chicken eggs, quail eggs, and duck eggs – but not turkey eggs? I mean let’s be real, have you ever seen a dozen turkey eggs on sale at your local grocery store? Or even a specialty store? No….and why is that?
The reason is not some super secret, it’s quite simple in fact. Turkeys don’t lay as many eggs each year as chickens do. And in addition to that, they don’t start laying quite as early as chickens (chickens start at 5 months, turkeys at 7). And finally, they eat a whole lot more food to produce to small number eggs of they lay (compared to chickens).
Due to the obvious scarcity of their eggs, it’s simply not profitable for the commercial industry to raise turkeys for eggs since turkeys lay eggs so infrequently.
How Many Eggs Do Turkeys Lay Each Year?
Turkey hens lay about 100 eggs per year. Compare that to chickens who can lay over 300 eggs a year (commercial breeds) and you can see why chicken eggs abound. Mature female turkeys only lay about 2 eggs per week.
Turkey eggs are much larger than chicken eggs, but it still doesn’t make up for the lack of numbers.
What Do Turkey Eggs Taste Like?
FAQ
What is the tastiest egg?
So the results were clear: For the best tasting eggs, go for pastured chickens. Barring those, choose whichever eggs have the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Where flavor is concerned, it doesn’t matter if the eggs are organic, cage free, or from a cage battery.
Why don’t they sell turkey eggs in the store?
Turkey eggs are edible but rare in stores because turkeys lay less frequently and require more resources than chickens, leading to higher costs. Despite being richer and creamier than chicken eggs, their scarcity and higher price limit their mainstream appeal.
What is the best way to cook turkey eggs?
Of course, they make the most delicious scrambled eggs and omelettes as well. But my favourite when cooking turkey eggs ‘naturally’ is to have them boiled and to dip into their golden goodness. This is how we boil and enjoy our turkey eggs here when there are any to spare that is.
Which is better, turkey or chicken eggs?
There are some reasons turkey eggs, on paper, may seem like a better choice for household use. They’re not only twice as big as their hen counterparts (yielding more eggy goodness), but they contain twice as much protein and are replete with vitamins, iron, and other nutrients.
What does a turkey egg taste like?
When it comes to taste, it’s generally agreed that these two types of eggs taste about the same, although turkey eggs are often described as being creamier. The membrane between the turkey eggshell and egg is thicker, as is the eggshell itself, which requires a sharp blow to crack. Turkey eggshells can be white, cream-colored, brown, or speckled.
Are eggs good for you?
The simple answer is yes eggs are a good source of protein and some important micronutrients. But there is debate about how many eggs per week is the right number, with the concern that too much egg consumption can raise cholesterol levels in some people. Most experts agree that an average of one egg per day is both safe and healthy.
Do turkey eggs taste different than chicken eggs?
Turkey eggs don’t taste much different than a chicken egg. Some people prefer them and eat them on a regular basis. The only difference between a chicken and a turkey egg, when it comes to flavor, is that turkey eggs have a slightly stronger flavor, and the texture is a tad creamier.
Are turkey eggs good for You?
Turkey eggs are a good source of B vitamins, and vitamins B12 and B9 (folate) in particular. They are also rich in vitamin A and iron, and provide some of your daily requirement of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc. Turkey eggs are extremely difficult to get hold of, and you’re unlikely to find any at your local store.
Are turkey eggs safe to eat?
Turkey eggs are absolutely safe to eat. As with any type of egg, it is best to cook, or at least pasteurise them first, to kill harmful bacteria. In fact, turkey eggs are actually pretty good for you. They’re a great source of protein, as well as iron, folic acid and vitamin B12.
Are turkey eggs healthier than chicken eggs?
The yolks are rich in choline, an essential nutrient for brain and liver health. Overall turkey eggs provide the same nutritional benefits as chicken eggs, packing a powerful punch of protein vitamins, and minerals. When it comes to taste and texture turkey eggs are quite similar to chicken eggs.