70+ Duck Egg Recipes

Duck egg recipes make the most of these rich, full-flavored eggs. Yolkier than traditional chicken eggs, duck eggs are bigger, exceptionally richer, and thicker-shelled and have their own unique flavor.

Ducks can be quite prolific egg-layers, laying almost as many eggs as there are days in the year with some breeds. What is one to do with so many eggs? The opportunities are bountiful indeed. First, though, let’s explore why duck eggs are such a valuable commodity.

Duck eggs are considered by many to be far superior to your run-of-the-coop chicken eggs. Why? When comparing duck eggs to chicken eggs, there are several things to note.

Duck eggs are larger and their yolks tend to be richer and brighter. Unlike chickens, which do quite well contained, ducks need to be free-range. They forage for their food, eating a diet of weeds, grasses and insects leading to rich, flavorful and nutritious eggs.

Slightly smaller than goose eggs, duck eggs tend to weigh around 3.5 ounces, whereas a very large chicken egg clocks in at about 2.5 ounces. If substituting duck eggs for chicken eggs in a recipe, the general rule is to use the 2:3 ratio – with two duck eggs being roughly equivalent to three chicken eggs.

However, know that when substituting duck eggs for chicken eggs the result will be much richer, as the egg white of a duck egg contains more albumen and protein, as well as a richer overall flavor and a higher yolk-to-white ratio than your standard chicken egg. Still, there exist an abundance of recipes already tailored to using duck eggs, so it is best to begin there for those new to cooking with this flavorful ingredient.

Choosing the Best Duck Egg

You may be able to source duck eggs from farmers’ markets or specialty grocers, but if not, you can always consider raising ducks for the purpose of eggs. Ducks are year-round layers with their egg production stretching into the winter. This occurs because ducks don’t need as much light to stimulate their ovaries as chickens do.

In fact, some duck breeds can even outlay chickens, such as the Campbell which may lay up to 340 eggs a year.

If selecting your duck eggs from a grocer or farmer, simply check that eggs have no off odors and are free of any cracks or damage.

When collecting duck eggs yourself, know that ducks begin laying at around 20 weeks old, although the first eggs will be small and underdeveloped. Your ducks will lay regularly if you collect their eggs daily. Like chickens, ducks tend to lay in the morning, so give a mid-morning check every day during peak laying season.

Once you find those eggs, remove them promptly and wipe any dirt off with a dry cloth. Eggs are not recommended to be washed until shortly before using. Store in an egg carton or basket and move to a refrigerator to extend their shelf life. Don’t store in the refrigerator door, but rather further in the center of the fridge, as temperature fluctuations may quicken spoilage.

Duck eggs last even longer than chicken eggs due to their thicker shells, keeping for up to 6 weeks when properly stored.

Duck Egg Recipes

Besides size and shell thickness, the main difference between duck eggs and chicken eggs remains that duck eggs are more flavorful. They are an “eggier” egg, with more richness and flavor than regular chicken eggs. You can make many of the same dishes with duck eggs that call for chicken eggs with a result that is creamier and richer.

The yolks of duck eggs are wholesome and rich, working exceptionally well in desserts like custard, puddings, baked goods and more. Additionally, the egg whites of a duck egg possess more protein than chicken eggs. Consequently, they whip up exceptionally well, leading to stiffer peaks than traditional hen eggs in meringues, pavlovas and macaroons.

Duck Egg Soup and Salad Recipes

Duck eggs can add richness to a myriad of soups and salads. Crack a duck egg for making egg drop soup for a comforting, hot starter. Stracciatella, or Italian egg drop soup, is made with bone broth, duck eggs and fresh-grated parmigiano reggiano cheese. Duck eggs are also one of the many ingredients that make up winter kale and egg soup – the additional ingredients: diced celery, carrots, onions and an assortment of herbs and spices. For more ideas, consider adding smoked and salted duck eggs to top a variety of soups.

In the realm of salads, duck eggs hold many possibilities. Add a poached duck egg to a salad of beetroot, shaved parmesan and balsamic dressing or try a warm salad assembled from asparagus, crispy bacon, hazelnuts and soft-boiled duck eggs. Pair duck eggs with other ingredients like chorizo and spinach or go for a green-free salad of tomatoes and salted duck eggs for pairing with meats and fish.

Soups

Salads

Duck Egg Breakfast Recipes

For breakfast, duck eggs will yield spectacular omelets, scrambles, frittatas and quiches. You’ll find an assortment of delicious morning recipes pairing duck eggs with everything from ricotta and herbs to peas, beans and asparagus. For fancier breakfast fare, entertain baking duck eggs to serve with toasted baguettes, baking over quinoa or poaching to serve alongside asparagus with a grain mustard dressing.

Duck eggs wield a flavorful eggs benedict, especially when topped with a duck egg hollandaise along with some fresh parsley and dill. Plop a duck egg into some toast for a rich and creamy toad in a hole or use duck eggs for a richer French toast, topped with blueberries or your favorite fresh fruit. Looking for something to feed a larger group? Try using duck eggs to build a cheesy brunch casserole made with chunks of brioche, sausage, chopped onion and herbs.

Duck Egg Savory Main Courses

Duck eggs can add a delightful richness to many dinner dishes whether protein-based or vegetarian. For meat-heavy ideas, combine fried duck eggs with ham steaks and hot gherkin gravy or partner duck eggs with potatoes and duck breast. Serve a poached duck egg over smoked salmon with hollandaise for a lean and decadent dinner or try something more exotic – haggis with duck eggs.

Rich duck eggs also lend their flavor very well to a number of carb and veggie-based dishes. Duck eggs themselves can be transformed into a rich and beautiful yellow pasta for smothering with your favorite sauces, fried to top pasta dishes, or used in sauces and ravioli filling. For two exceptional ideas, utilize rich duck eggs to make pasta sauces like a parmesan-based carbonara or duck yolks to fill decadent ravioli pouches along with ricotta and orange zest.

For some more meat-free dishes, allow duck eggs to enrich fried rice, add flavor to okra curry or try baking duck eggs in a Turkish dish of spiced eggplant and chard finished with a garlic-lemon yogurt and served with dressed potatoes. More baked eggy ideas include duck egg dinner quiches and vegetable-loaded casseroles.

Protein-Based

Pasta

Vegetarian

Duck Egg Drink Recipes

Feeling thirsty? Duck eggs can actually be implemented in numerous drinks and cocktails, although most of them will be of the adult variety. Use duck eggs to craft a rich and decadent Holiday eggnog for gathering around throughout those cold winter months. For another duck egg drink idea, sample an egg-yolk liqueur cocktail made with rum, honey and duck egg yolks.

Experiment with using protein-rich duck eggs to make a classic gin fizz built from gin, lemon, soda water, egg whites and sweetener, or test out a classic whiskey sour. Duck eggs are prime for such recipes as their additional protein produces a firmer froth ideal for such cocktails. For more options, consider subbing duck eggs for regular chicken eggs to make your own Advocaat, a traditional Dutch liquor including eggs, brandy sugar and vanilla, or using duck eggs to make teh talua, a hot tea mixed with egg yolk.

Duck Egg Snack Recipes

When in search of pre-dinner snacks and appetizers, duck eggs can provide plentiful options. Duck eggs lead to spectacular deviled eggs for picnics and platters alike. You may even wish to whip in a little curry spice for some added kick. Use duck eggs to make scotch eggs or try marinated soft-boiled duck eggs in soy sauce to eat solo or serve over rice and ramen.

Nutritious duck eggs make a filling egg salad for packing into sandwiches or topping toast and crackers. For more nibble-worthy pre-dinner fare, implement duck eggs in tarts and frittata-like tortillas. Have some salted duck eggs on hand? Contemplate topping tofu with salted duck egg and a black vinegar dressing for a chilled appetizer. When interested in a sweeter snack, try your hand at some chocolate chip cookies made with a full duck egg and an additional chicken egg yolk for extra richness.

Duck Egg Dessert Recipes

Some chefs swear by duck eggs when it comes to desserts and baked goods. The yolks are richer, the egg whites more substantial – for this reason, many types of desserts can be improved with the help of a duck egg or two. Utilize duck eggs in cakes spanning from simple sponge cake to marble cake, loaf cake and pudding cake. Add duck eggs to brownies for decadent chocolate morsels or slip some into a cheesecake for an especially fluffy slice to slather with your favorite cheesecake toppings.

Due to their higher albumen content, duck eggs whip up spectacularly well. This being so, duck eggs can wield sensational meringue, pavlova and Eton mess. Additionally, duck eggs will lead you down the path to delicious custards, curds, puddings and ice cream. Blend with the delicate flavors of vanilla in puddings, orange and rosemary in elegant creme brulee, or bright lemon for a lovely yellow lemon curd. As to ice cream, go with traditional vanilla or try a creamy-salty no-churn mashup made with salted duck eggs.

Cakes and Brownies

Custard, Pudding and Ice Cream

Cultured & Fermented Duck Egg

Salted duck eggs, you say? Salting duck eggs is just one of the many ways to cure and ferment duck eggs. You can salt whole duck eggs or just salt cure egg yolks. Salted eggs can be added to salads, soups, appetizers and even desserts for a sweetly salty bite.

You can also pickle duck eggs. Pickled eggs are easy to customize – try adding everything from chili flakes to turmeric to flavor (and color) pickled duck eggs. Pickling with fresh beets and jalapeno will lead to a richly-hued and spicy egg for picnics and parties. You can also pickle with traditional pickling spices like garlic, onion and bay leaves, or test out more adventurous recipes featuring soy sauce, Sichuan peppercorns and Thai basil.

Preserving Duck Egg

Given the fact that some ducks lay more eggs than chickens, preservation will undoubtedly be a necessary step at some point if you have a regularly incoming supply of duck eggs. Once you’ve eaten so many eggs that the mere sight of one makes you turn away in horror, it’s time to turn to preservation.

Although duck eggs tend to last longer than chicken eggs when refrigerated, they do need to be stored in another way at some point to avoid spoiling. You can freeze eggs for later use in cooking whether freezing just the whites, yolk, or both together. There’s only one rule when it comes to freezing: never freeze eggs in their shells – the insides will expand and split them.

There are a multitude of additional ways to preserve duck eggs including dehydrating, freeze-drying, salting and pickling. You can also store eggs in limewater, also known as water glassing eggs, to preserve eggs for up to a year.