Learn how easy it is to make perfect soft-boiled eggs every single time using these easy to follow fool-proof instructions.
I love to put eggs on everything, from salads to sandwiches, you name it. If you are anything like me then definitely check out my Corned Beef Hash or Mushroom and Fried Egg Burger.
Soft Boiled Eggs
Soft boiled eggs are eggs that are boiled in water for a short amount of time so that the whites have hardened up, but not all the way, and the yolk is runny or jammy. These eggs are excellent served up by themselves or for breakfast, or in a classic French Frisée salad.
If you love over-easy fried eggs then these are for you, and quite possibly easier to master since it is all about time in the water.
How Long Does It Take to Soft Boil an Egg
To get to a perfect soft-boiled egg, it is boiled from 3-6 minutes. Any of these times will result in a runny yolk, however, with the shorter cooking times, the eggs will become very delicate and hard to peel and the whites will even be a bit runny directly surrounding the yolk.
How to Make Them
Follow these simple instructions for how to make soft-boiled eggs:
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
Add in the eggs gently with a spoon so the eggs do not crack and boil for 5 minutes.
Remove the eggs from the water and place directly into an ice water bath in a container and let sit for 2-4 minutes or until completely cooled.
Peel, Slice, and serve
Recipe Chef Notes + Tips
Make-Ahead: You can make these up to 1 day ahead of time but are best served immediately.
How to Store: Keep in cool water in a container for up to 3 days.
How to Reheat: If you want to serve these warm, add to boiling water in a pot for 2-3 minutes. Peel and serve.
Sometimes eggs smell a little funky, to cut that smell add some plain distilled vinegar to the boiling water before cooking the eggs.
It does not matter if you use brown or white eggs when making boiled eggs.
To help peel the egg, run it under luke-warm water.
More Recipes with Eggs
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Video
Soft Boiled Eggs Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Gently add the eggs into the boiling water using a large spoon and cook for 5 minutes.
- Immediately transfer the eggs after they are done cooking to a container filled with cold water and ice.
- Cool the eggs for 2-4 minutes to stop the cooking process.
- Peel the eggs under running lukewarm water, slice, and serve.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: You can make these up to 1 day ahead of time but are best served immediately.
- How to Store: Keep in cool water in a container for up to 3 days.
- How to Reheat: If you want to serve these warm, add to boiling water in a pot for 2-3 minutes. Peel and serve.
- Sometimes eggs smell a little funky, to cut that smell add some plain distilled vinegar to the boiling water before cooking the eggs.
- It does not matter if you use brown or white eggs when making boiled eggs.
- To help peel the egg, run it under luke-warm water.
Rehab says
Thank you so much chef!
Susan says
Is this recipe for room temp eggs or refrigerated eggs?
Chef Billy Parisi says
refrigerated.