Soft-boiled eggs are an incredibly underrated breakfast. Slice into the tender white flesh to find a perfectly jammy yolk on the inside. It’s truly mouthwatering! Here’s the secret to making a perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg.
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Pin RecipeSoft-boiled eggs are one of those breakfast items that look really complicated but are secretly simple to make. The eggs are great on their own, served cut open on a piece of toast, or just alongside some fruit. You can even turn the egg into the star of a savory dish. They do take a little more time and concentration in the kitchen, so save them for the weekend and stick to basted eggs, scrambled eggs or hard-boiled eggs during the week.
(Want to make eggs in an air fryer? Check out my recipes for air fryer eggs!)
Soft-Boiled Egg Recipe
Soft-boiled eggs fall into the same category as poached eggs. They have a reputation of being complicated to cook but are actually quite simple once you learn the technique. Once you get the hang of the method for a soft-boiled egg, you’ll be adding one on top of everything that you eat.
The secret in the cooking technique is all in the timing. You want to make sure they stay in the boiling water for the right amount of time. Too short, and you’ll end up with undercooked eggs. Too long, and you’ll have hard-boiled. What you are looking for is right in between.
Soft boiled eggs can be a meal within themselves. There’s a reason why the classic pairing of a soft-boiled egg and a piece of toast to dip in the yolk has been a favorite for so long. Soft-boiled eggs are also great in savory pairings and can work with pretty much any meal of the day. I like to add them into grain bowls, place them on top of a bowl of veggies, or in a hearty salad with a tangy dressing.
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Ingredients for Soft Boiled Eggs
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Eggs – Use whatever eggs you have on hand. Older eggs are easier to peel.
How To Make Soft-Boiled Eggs
- Boil the water: Set a medium pot of water to boil over medium-high heat. Once the water starts to boil, reduce it to a rolling boil.
- Add the eggs: Slowly add the eggs into the boiling water using a slotted spoon. Repeat until all of the eggs are in the boiling water. Hint: The slotted spoon will be your savior for cooking soft-boiled eggs. I like to use this slotted spoon (link?) for easily taking the eggs in and out of the pan.
- Cook the eggs: Let the eggs cook in the water for exactly 7 minutes. If your eggs look a little bit on the larger size, cook them for 6 minutes.
- Prepare an ice bath: While the eggs cook, prepare a large bowl with cold water and ice.
- Set the eggs in the ice bath: When the timer is complete, immediately take the eggs off of the heat and add them to the ice bath. This will stop the cooking process and ensure that your yolks stay jammy. Let them sit in the ice bath for at least 3 minutes.
- Peel the eggs: Give the eggs a little tap to let a crack form along the top and being to peel away at the shell. If you only want to peel off the top, you can stop there. If not, continue gently peeling the egg until the entire shell is removed.
Quick Tip
Remember to watch the timer! That will be your secret weapon for getting the perfect texture time and time again. Eggs can go from soft boiled to hard boiled in a matter of a minute so timing is very important.
How to Store Soft Boiled Eggs
Once your eggs have cooled and been peeled, place them in a bowl. Fill the bowl with enough cold water to cover the eggs. Then, cover the bowl and place it in the fridge. Keeping the eggs in water will prevent them from drying out in the fridge. You want to change the water every day to keep it fresh. Your eggs will keep for 2-3 days.
Serving Suggestions
Soft-boiled eggs are delicious with so many different sides. Serve soft boiled eggs next to an avocado toast breakfast or along with a fresh fruit salad. Oven cooked bacon with eggs or buttermilk biscuits with soft boiled eggs would makes a classic breakfast. Soft boiled eggs are even great on top of a bowl of fried rice or stir fried noodles.
FAQs
Soft-boiled eggs will stay fresh in the fridge for about two days. Keep the shell on the eggs until you plan to eat them.
Some soft-boiled eggs can be a little tricky to peel since they are not as sturdy as hard-boiled eggs. If you are having trouble, gently roll the eggs on a soft surface until they crack and dip them back in the ice bath. This method lets the water get underneath the shell and makes it easier to peel. You can also use a spoon to remove the shell. Simply take the back of the spoon and tap the top of the egg until it starts to crack. Then insert the spoon into the side of the egg between the flesh and shell, sliding the spoon as you go.
It may seem like an unnecessary step if you are not serving your eggs immediately, but do not skip the ice bath. The ice bath is what stops the cooking process and lets the yolk stay in that custard-like texture. Plus, it helps with peeling the shell off of the egg.
More Amazing Egg Recipes
Soft Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- eggs
- salt + pepper
Instructions
- Set a medium pot of water to boil over medium-high heat. Once the water starts to boil, reduce it to a rolling boil.
- Slowly add the eggs into the boiling water using a slotted spoon. Repeat until all of the eggs are in the boiling water. Hint: The slotted spoon will be your savior for cooking soft-boiled eggs. I like to use this slotted spoon (link?) for easily taking the eggs in and out of the pan.
- Let the eggs cook in the water for exactly 7 minutes. If your eggs look a little bit on the larger size, cook them for 6 minutes.
- While the eggs cook, prepare a large bowl with cold water and ice.
- When the timer is complete, immediately take the eggs off of the heat and add them into the ice bath. This will stop the cooking process and ensure that your yolks stay jammy. Let them sit in the ice bath for at least 3 minutes.
- Give the eggs a little tap to let a crack form along the top and being to peel away at the shell. If you only want to peel off the top, you can stop there. If not, continue gently peeling the egg until the entire shell is removed.
