Food EditionCookAmericanBreakfastSoft Scrambled Eggs
7 minEasyServes 1
American · Breakfast

Soft Scrambled Eggs

Whisk eggs until completely uniform, cook them over low heat in a small saucepan, and keep them moving constantly with a spatula until they form soft, custard-like curds. Pull them off the heat while they still look slightly wet, as the residual heat will finish the cooking on the plate.

Total time
7 min
Hands-on
7 min
Serves
1
Difficulty
Easy
Before you start

Control is the only ingredient that matters.

These eggs require your full attention for five minutes; turn your phone off and stay at the stove.

  • small non-stick saucepan
  • heat-resistant silicone spatula
  • small bowl
  • fork
Ingredients

What goes in.

  • 3large eggs
  • 1 tbspunsalted butter
  • 1 pinchkosher salt
The key technique

Constant agitation

Use the spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan continuously. This prevents large, firm curds from forming and keeps the texture smooth.

Step by step

The method.

  1. Whisk the eggs

    Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk with a fork until the whites and yolks are entirely combined and no streaks remain.

  2. Melt the butter

    Place your saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the butter and let it melt until it foams but not until it browns.

  3. Begin the scramble

    Pour the eggs into the pan. As soon as the edges begin to set, use your spatula to drag the eggs from the edges toward the center.

  4. Control the heat

    If the pan feels too hot and the eggs are setting too quickly, lift the pan off the heat for 10 seconds while continuing to stir.

  5. Finish

    Remove the pan from the heat while the eggs are still slightly runny. Stir in the salt and immediately slide them onto a warm plate.

Variations

Other turns to take.

Crème Fraîche Finish

Stir in a teaspoon of cold crème fraîche immediately after removing the pan from the heat to stop the cooking process and add richness.

Tips & troubleshooting

When it doesn't go to plan.

Tip

Never add salt to the raw eggs, as it can break down the proteins prematurely and lead to watery eggs.

Tip

A heavy-bottomed pan holds heat more steadily, which helps prevent overcooking.

Tip

If the eggs look like they are beginning to separate or 'weep' liquid, you have cooked them too long.

Questions

The ones that keep coming up.

Can I use milk or cream?

It is not necessary. The texture comes from the constant motion and low heat, not from added dairy.

How do I know they are finished?

The eggs should look like a loose, thick porridge. If they look like solid chunks, they have already overcooked.

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