Learn all the tips and tricks to make perfect soft boiled eggs every single time!
Packed with protein, cheap, super easy, and ready in just a few minutes, perfect soft boiled eggs make a fantastic meal.
The perfect runny egg should have a creamy but firm white and a melt-in-your-mouth creamy yolk.
The good news is, you can cook your eggs just right in less than 5 minutes!
So if you're looking to make boiled eggs with soldiers for breakfast or you want to add soft-boiled eggs to a warm salad, you have come to the right place.
Here you'll find all the tips and tricks for perfect eggs every single time!
INSTRUCTIONS
All you need to make one of the easiest meals ever invented is fresh eggs, one pot, and some water.
It really doesn't get easier than this!
STEP 1 - Place one or more eggs into a pot of lightly boiling water. Let it gently simmer for a few minutes.
STEP 2 - Remove the egg with a slotted spoon, place it under cool running water for a few seconds to cool it down, and serve.
When done right, your soft-boiled egg should have a consistency similar to poached eggs, with firm but soft egg whites and gooey yolk.
Serve with toasted bread or on top of a colorful salad for a quick, nutritious meal that you can enjoy any time of the day.
SOFT BOILED EGG TIME
I know from experience it can take a lot of wrong-guessing to reach the perfect result.
The question everybody asks is, how long do you need to cook soft boiled eggs?
Well, it's rather quick - the perfect soft-boiled egg time is just 4 minutes.
If you're looking for boiled eggs instead, 7 minutes is the perfect time in my opinion.
You can go for 8 minutes, but I wouldn't suggest more than that.
TIPS FOR PERFECT SOFT BOILED EGGS
- Choose super fresh eggs, with a similar size to ensure they're cooked evenly.
- Go for the organic free-range eggs whenever possible.
- Use eggs at room temperature. If you store them in the fridge, take them out one hour before cooking.
- If you want to make sure they're cooked to perfection, use a timer instead of a clock.
- Poke a hole in the top of the eggs with a needle or egg-puncher before you start. This prevents them from cracking.
- But if you lower the heat to a light simmer when the water boils they shouldn't crack either.
- Fill a pot with cold water and place it over high heat. Make sure you add enough water.
- I cover the eggs with enough water so that there is about 1 cm of water above them.
- Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly, plunge the eggs into it with a spoon and allow 4 minutes of cooking before taking them out of the hot water.
- Add a dash of vinegar or lemon juice to prevent any spillage if by any chance the shell cracks.
- If you prepare more than 2 eggs at once, allow a few more seconds of cooking time.
- If you wish to prepare them ahead to enjoy later, keep them in a water bath at 60°C.
RECIPE FAQs
Carefully lower the fridge cold eggs directly into a pot of simmering water. Let the eggs cook for exactly 6 ½ minutes, remove them with a slotted spoon and cool them down under cool running water, then serve.
Place the cooked eggs in cold water for at least 30 seconds. It will bring the temperature down rapidly and stop the cooking process.
MORE EGG RECIPES TO TRY
- Asparagus Frittata
- Easy Tamagoyaki, Japanese Omelette
- Eggs in a Cloud
- Easy Shakshuka with Chickpeas
- Veggie Omelet Muffins (Gluten-free)
- Authentic Italian Potato Frittata
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?
Please let me know how you liked it! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #thepetitecook!
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Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 2 medium-large eggs
To serve:
- sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste
- bread cut into strips and toasted
Instructions
- Fill a pan with water and bring the water to a boil. When the water boils, add 1 teaspoon of optional vinegar if you want, and lower the heat to a gentle simmer.
- Place the eggs on a slotted spoon and carefully lower them into the boiling water, anmd simmer for 4 minutes.
- Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and immediately place under cool running water to stop the cooking process.
- Transfer the eggs onto the egg-cups. To remove the cap, gently tap around the top with a dented knife or use an egg-cutter. Season your perfect soft-boiled eggs with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy straight away with toasted bread on the side.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Ron says
I soft boil them slightly longer, just enough to barely solidify part of the yoke. Then I peel them and pickle them in dill pickle juice after the pickles are gone. About two weeks in the fridge and they are really good.
Pete W says
Eggsellent! Sorry. I would humbly suggest that if using eggs straight from the fridge, you add 30 seconds to the cooking time.
Ethelyn Dietrich says
Just a little something to add, if you soft boil the eggs, peel them submerged in the bowl of cold water, helps separate the egg shell from the flesh easily, keeps it all in one place to collect (rather than bouncing around the kitchen) and easier to brush off smaller fragments of shell.
Jiovanna Davidson says
My egg was delicious. Followed your instructions and was in toasted soldier’s and soft dippy egg heaven. A little sprinkle of salt and it was a satisfying late night snack. My kids all love these eggs for breakfast before school. Yum yum yum x
Roses says
so easy. I made it success. Thanks for your share!
Michael says
So easy and very delicious. Thank you for sharing the recipe!