Perfect Soft-Boiled Eggs
The difference between a perfect soft-boiled egg and a disappointing one comes down to thirty seconds. Too little time and the whites stay snotty. Too much and you've got a hard-boiled egg with a dry, chalky yolk.
Room temperature eggs work best
Cold eggs straight from the fridge are more likely to crack when they hit boiling water. Set them out 20 minutes before cooking if you remember.
- medium saucepan
- slotted spoon
- bowl for ice bath
- timer
What goes in.
- 4large eggs
- 4 cupswater
- 2 cupsice water for ice bath
Start your timer when the eggs hit the water
Lower the eggs into already-boiling water and start timing immediately. Six minutes gives you set whites and a jammy yolk that's still golden in the center.
The method.
Bring water to a rolling boil
Use enough water to cover the eggs by an inch. The water should be bubbling hard when you add the eggs.
Prepare the ice bath
Fill a bowl with cold water and add a handful of ice. This stops the cooking the moment you want it to stop.
Lower eggs into boiling water
Use a slotted spoon to gently lower each egg. Start your timer the moment the first egg touches the water.
Cook for exactly 6 minutes
Keep the water at a gentle boil. Too violent and the eggs will bounce around and crack.
Transfer immediately to ice bath
Use the slotted spoon to move the eggs straight from boiling water to ice water. Let them sit for 2 minutes to cool completely.
Peel carefully
Tap the egg gently all over to create small cracks, then peel starting from the wider end where the air pocket sits. The shell should come off in large pieces.
Other turns to take.
5-minute eggs
For runnier yolks that are barely set, stop at 5 minutes
7-minute eggs
For firmer yolks that are still creamy, go to 7 minutes
Ramen eggs
Marinate peeled 6-minute eggs in soy sauce, mirin, and sake for 4-24 hours
When it doesn't go to plan.
Older eggs peel easier than very fresh ones — use eggs that are at least a week old
If eggs crack while cooking, add a splash of vinegar to the water to help the whites stay together
Store peeled soft-boiled eggs in the fridge for up to 3 days in a bowl of water
The ones that keep coming up.
Why do my eggs crack when I put them in the water?
Cold eggs hitting hot water causes the shell to expand too quickly. Let eggs come to room temperature first, or lower the heat slightly when adding them.
Can I make soft-boiled eggs ahead of time?
Yes, but reheat them gently. Place peeled eggs in warm (not hot) water for 30 seconds to take the chill off before serving.
What if I don't have ice?
Run the eggs under cold tap water for 2-3 minutes, turning them occasionally. It takes longer but stops the cooking.