A guide to chicken egg sizes in Australia
Eggs are a cornerstone ingredient in kitchens around the world, however their sizes vary around the world. When it comes to recipes, choosing the right size can make all the difference. Understanding these sizes will help ensure your recipes turn out perfectly every time, so I put together a guide to chicken egg sizes available in Australia.
Common Egg Sizes in Australia
Egg sizes are categorised based on their weight per dozen. While the exact weight ranges can vary by country, here’s a general guide to the most common sizes in Australia.
Large: 600 grams per dozen
Average Size with shell is 52 grams; average size without shell is 45 grams
Extra-Large: 700 grams per dozen
Average Size with shell is 60 grams; average size without shell is 52 grams
Jumbo: 800 grams per dozen
Average Size with shell is 68 grams; average size without shell is 59 grams
The weight indicated on the carton usually refers to the average weight of the eggs, including the shell. This means there might be slight variations between individual eggs within the same carton.
Why Egg Size Matters in Cooking
Eggs contribute structure, moisture, and richness to recipes, and their size directly affects the ratio of ingredients. For example:
In Baking: The liquid content in eggs is crucial. Using the wrong size can lead to dry cakes, dense cookies, or rubbery custards.
In Savoury Dishes: A larger egg can change the texture or richness of a dish like quiche or carbonara.
In recipes, “large” eggs are the standard unless stated otherwise. Understanding egg sizes can make all the difference, try to stick as close to the recipe as possible. Most baking recipes do okay with a slight variance in egg sizes. I eat extra large eggs so they’re the same size I use for baking and any recipes I have listed on my website. I’ll make sure to list any notes about egg sizes in relation to the recipe if it’s important enough, likely to impact the outcome of the dish and what to do if you have different sized eggs. These changes may include adding or reducing the amount of other ingredients in the recipe.
