Boiling an egg is a little like wrapping a gift; it's simple enough for anyone to do passably, but there's an art to doing it well. One of the biggest challenges is how long to boil eggs for. The answer might seem obvious to many — after all, egg timers have been common in kitchens for years — but there are some nuances to consider. Let's look at some basic egg-boiling techniques, along with some egg recipes for inspiration.
How Do You Boil Eggs?
Here are some basic steps to boiling an egg, along with some pointers to get the best results.
Take the eggs out of the fridge a few minutes before boiling and let them warm to room temperature. This helps prevent the shells from cracking in the hot water. Another anti-cracking tip that some chefs use is to gently prick the bottom of the egg with a thumbtack. The tiny hole allows the inner air bubble to escape, releasing the inner pressure when boiling.
Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover eggs by around an inch, and set it boiling.
Wait until the water has reached a rolling boil. Then put the eggs in (we use a spoon to set the eggs in gently without cracking their shells).
How Long to Boil Eggs For?
Adjust your boiling times to suit the kind of egg you want. For a soft-boiled egg, boil for four minutes. That is perfect for spooning out the yolk or for our favourite: dipping in toast divided into narrow fingers. This is also the perfect cooking time for a soft-boiled egg to put atop anything from a nicoise salad to avocado toast or ramen; cut the egg and soak the entire affair in gooey yolky goodness.
If you want to avoid the yellow-orange eruption that comes from dunking a piece of stiff sourdough into a soft-boiled egg, consider cooking for double that time — eight minutes. That will ensure that the yolk has just about set, giving you a custardy texture that's still soft but easier to manage.
Try an eight-minute boiling time for the egg in our Pork Ramen recipe, which marries ramen noodles with soy sauce, Garlic Powder, boneless pork shoulder, and warming Ground Ginger. The soft-boiled egg adds another layer to a pleasing array of different tastes and textures.
Hard-boiling is the way to go if you're planning to eat the egg in your hand, per this Roasted Garlic & Pepper Egg Salad Sandwich. Coarsely chopped hard-boiled eggs go perfectly with roasted peppers and balsamic vinegar in this munchable snack.
Leaving the egg in boiling water for 14 minutes will give you a crumbly hard-boiled yolk. This makes the eggs far more manageable for egg salad dishes like this Deviled Egg Potato Salad.
Hard-boiling is also perfect for a recipe like Classic Deviled Eggs, which mix those yolks with ground mustard, parsley flakes, and fiery paprika to turn each egg into a flavour bomb.
How Long Do Hard Boiled Eggs Last?
If you're not going to eat your hard-boiled eggs immediately, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just leave the shells on and put them in the fridge within two hours of cooking (leave them to cool a bit first).
Why Are My Eggs Green?
It turns out Dr. Seuss was telling the truth, Sam-I-am: Boiled eggs really can have a green hue. You might not like them here or there. You might not like them anywhere. But it doesn't mean that your eggs have gone off. It's down to a reaction between iron in the yolk and sulphur in the egg white. They're safe to eat, but if you don't like green yolks, there are a few steps you can take:
- Don't overcook them. Green yolks are a sign of overcooking, so stick to specific cooking times and try lowering the water temperature to a simmer after it comes to a boil.
- Chill your eggs after boiling. It arrests any chemical reactions that might change your yolk colour. It also makes hard-boiled eggs easier to peel.
- Filter your water. It's a last resort, but sometimes yolks can react to iron in cooking water.
Armed with these cooking techniques, we hope that you'll be able to boil perfect eggs every time. Mastering this versatile food will equipment you equally for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
