So, Can You Eat Turkey Eggs?

Eggs are one of those truly perfect foods. Self-contained, delicious, nutritious and super adaptable it is no wonder that eggs are a foundational food to pretty much every culture around the world.

holding a turkey egg in hand
holding a turkey egg in hand

Eggs from all kinds of birds are prepared and eaten in all kinds of ways by themselves, and used as ingredients in countless dishes.

But when it comes to eggs, chickens as always rule the roost in terms of production, although duck and goose eggs are reasonably popular and sometimes true exotics like emu and ostrich eggs.

But you know what’s funny? You never, ever hear about anyone eating turkey eggs. Why not, are they unsafe? Can you eat turkey eggs?

Yes, you can eat turkey eggs and they are both safe and delicious. Compared to chicken eggs, turkey eggs are much larger and denser, containing more calories and nutrients. They’re typically described as having a richer, creamier texture but otherwise can be used just like chicken eggs.

This thought occurred to me the other day and I was truly floored by it. I’ve never heard of a single person I know trying a turkey egg. Well, I did a little digging and figured out why that is, and I will share all the information with you below.

I’ll tell you right up front that you can eat turkey eggs and you’ll probably like them, but the hard part is finding them…

Turkey Egg Nutritional Info

Turkey eggs are highly nutritious, and they have a lot more calories, vitamins and minerals compared to chicken eggs, owing to their larger size.

Turkey eggs are an especially excellent source of protein and healthy fats, making them a great addition to an active and healthy lifestyle.

One large turkey egg contains around 135 calories, 13 grams of protein, and 11 grams of fat. While turkey eggs contain more cholesterol than chicken eggs, turkey eggs are still considered a healthy option for most people.

Turkey eggs may also be worth a try for individuals with egg allergies, as they contain a different set of aminoacids than chicken eggs.

In addition to protein and healthy fats, turkey eggs are also a rich source of multiple vitamins and minerals that are essential for several bodily processes.

Turkey eggs are rich in vitamin B12, which plays a vital role in the nervous system’s functioning and DNA synthesis.

They also contain vitamin A, which is essential for eye health and the immune system, and vitamin D, which helps regulate calcium absorption and maintain bone health.

Turkey eggs also deliver a small amount of iron, an essential mineral that helps support the production of red blood cells, and calcium, which plays a crucial role in bone growth and development.

Overall, turkey eggs provide great energy and an array of essential nutrients to support good health.

Whether boiled, scrambled, or used as an ingredient in baked goods, turkey eggs are a delicious and nutritious option. The only trouble is getting your hands on some…

two Royal Palm turkeys

So, Why Don’t People Eat Turkey Eggs?

People seem to eat all kinds of other eggs, so why don’t they eat turkey eggs? The simplest answer is that turkey eggs just aren’t around.

While chickens lay tons of eggs all year round in most cases, turkeys only lay eggs in the spring and they lay a lot less of them, so they’re far less available than chicken eggs as a matter of production.

Then there are the economic and market factors to contend with: chicken eggs are far more popular and widely available, so they’re produced on a large scale and sold at low prices.

In contrast, turkey eggs are rare and expensive to produce (turkeys are bigger birds, eat a lot more feed, need more room, and lay slower).

There’s simply no reason to offer a product in most markets that has precious few distinguishing characteristics compared to the economically superior chicken egg we all know and love.

So, in short, most folks have never eaten turkey eggs because they are simply not available to them, and are unlikely to be in the future.

But that doesn’t at all mean turkey eggs aren’t edible, aren’t good for you, or aren’t good for eating!

Do Turkey Eggs Taste Bad?

No, not at all! Turkey eggs are actually very tasty, known for a voluminous yolk, richer flavor and thicker, creamier texture compared to the average chicken egg.

And when cooked, turkey eggs have a unique note to their flavor that is reminiscent of both chicken and quail eggs. They’re definitely worth trying out if you can get your hands on them, highly recommended!

Do Turkey Eggs Taste Like Chicken Eggs?

Typically, yes. At least, that is what most people who have tried them say. But there are subtle differences between turkey and chicken eggs.

In any case, there is not enough flavor or textural difference to truly make them viable as an alternate or even as a luxury product on the market compared to chicken eggs.

That’s another reason why they are not commercially sold except in very specific markets.

Can You Cook with Turkey Eggs?

You absolutely can. Turkey eggs can be cooked and used in the same way as chicken eggs.

In fact, some people prefer the taste of turkey eggs in their dishes and the thicker consistency can notably enhance the texture of baked goods in particular.

Turkey eggs can and have been used as an ingredient in baked goods, such as cakes, cookies, and bread. They can be scrambled, fried, or boiled for breakfast time just like chicken eggs, too.

When cooking with turkey eggs, it’s important to keep in mind that they are larger than chicken eggs and may require a slightly longer cooking time, or you will need fewer eggs in a recipe compared to chicken eggs.

Also note that in recipes that call for using only egg whites or yolks, turkey eggs have much larger yolks and white compared to chicken eggs. Don’t forget to account for this!

But it should also be pointed out that while turkey eggs can be substituted for chicken eggs in nearly all recipes, they are so much more expensive even when you can find them they are usually just not worth it, especially considering they are not a major enhancement over common chicken eggs.

Where Can You Get Turkey Eggs?

Here’s the hardest part of all: just finding the eggs! In all but the smallest, most isolated or most specialized markets, turkey eggs are entirely unavailable at retail.

Your best bet is just to find someone who raises turkeys for eggs and is willing to give or sell you some. If you live in a rural area and have some farmer or fellow homesteader neighbors, that might be your best bet to get some fresh turkey eggs.

But if not, you might try searching online. There are a handful of specialty farms that offer their own farm-fresh turkey eggs for sale via mail order, so you can always try your luck there.

Can You Raise Turkeys for Their Eggs?

Yes, you sure can, and for some turkey fans they find this is more than reason enough to do so.

Even though turkeys don’t produce nearly as many eggs as chickens, they are still quite productive layers for a household’s typical consumption and, even better, they integrate well with chickens and many other animals.

Turkeys usually have sweet personalities and they are hardy, healthy birds to boot.

But before you break out the coop plans, be aware that turkeys require more space and other special coop modifications than chickens in order to live comfortably.

It isn’t a huge jump from what a seasoned chicken owner does, but it is something to consider before investing in turkeys for eggs alone.

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