September 23, 2023

How Long to Boil Eggs: Perfectly Cooked for Best Texture

Learn How Long to Boil Eggs (soft and hard-boiled) so they are perfect every time. My method is very simple and allows you to cook a wide variety of eggs for the whole family, all in the same pan!

Boiled eggs
Boiled eggs

The Cold Water Method is Flawed

When it comes to cooking eggs, there are many instructions online. And guess what? They’re all pretty similar (put the eggs in a pan of cold water, bring to a boil, turn off the heat and cook the eggs until they’re hard).

But I think this method has one major drawback: the type of pan you use.

Aluminium, stainless steel and cast iron are known to bring water to a boil and retain heat at different rates. This means that if your eggs are placed in a cast iron pan filled with cold water and the water takes two minutes longer to boil than in an aluminium pan (not to mention the fact that the water cools much more slowly when removed from the heat), you are accidentally boiling your eggs a few minutes longer.

While this isn’t the end of the world for hard-boiled eggs, it does increase the likelihood that the yolks will turn green and the whites rubbery. No, thanks.

Hard-boiled eggs, on the other hand, require more precise cooking times. That’s why, in most instructions, they are cooked in hot water.

Also Read Top 5 Chicken Recipes from different Cuisines

How Long to Boil Eggs
How Long to Boil Eggs

How Long to Boil Eggs In Hot Water?

Given the above considerations, I see no reason to cook hard-boiled eggs differently from boiled eggs. Also, the hot water boiling method, which I’ve used all my life (thanks mum), is pretty reliable.

Just bring the water to a boil in the pan so that it covers the eggs by about a centimetre. If you bring the water to a boil first, it doesn’t matter which pan you use, because the eggs won’t touch the water until it boils: 212°F (100°C).

Boil water in the Pan
Boil water in the Pan

Once the water is boiling, lower the heat and use a spoon to gently drop the eggs into the water. Reducing the heat to a minimum will prevent the eggs from bouncing and breaking. Then immediately increase the heat to boiling.

Gently drop the eggs into the water
Gently drop the eggs into the water

Once the eggs are submerged in water, set the timer. Cook the eggs according to their hardness or softness.

set the timer
Set the timer

How Long Do You Boil The Eggs For?

  • 6 minutes: a golden yolk and a soft white. This is ideal for eggs served in an egg cup.
  • 6 and a half minutes: a soft yolk and jam. This is my favourite option for eggs on toast or soft eggs in a salad.
  • 8 minutes: medium soft yolk, slightly soft but firm enough to float.
  • 10 minutes: early stage hard-boiled egg, with a slight touch of softness in the middle.
  • 12 minutes: hard-boiled egg with a lighter yolk.
  • 14 minutes: traditional hard-boiled egg with a lighter yolk and firmer, but not overcooked, whites.
How Long Do You Boil The Eggs For?
How Long Do You Boil The Eggs For?

Place the eggs in a tub of ice water. As soon as the eggs have reached the right moment, place them immediately in a tub of ice water to stop them cooking and to maintain a perfect consistency.

Place the eggs in a tub of ice water
Place the eggs in a tub of ice water

Peel the eggs. Start by gently tapping the bottom, thickest part of the egg, as it is easier to get under the shell if you start at the bottom. Then proceed to peel the shells.

Peel the eggs
Peel the eggs

How is it easier to shell eggs?

The million dollar question! There are many theories on how to make hard-boiled eggs easier to shell: using eggs that are at least 10 days old, adding baking soda or vinegar to the water, and placing the eggs in a tub of ice water. After trying all of these methods, the only thing that always works for me is placing the eggs in a tub of ice water!

Tips To Avoid Cracking

Eggs should not crack when you put them in hot water. If they do, here are some additional tips to prevent this from happening.

  • Let the eggs warm up. While you are waiting for the water to boil, take the eggs out of the fridge and place them on your work surface. As a result, they can warm up to room temperature.
  • Reduce the heat to low. This is very important. Reduce the heat to a minimum and slowly add the eggs to the hot water. The water should not boil or bubble. Otherwise, the eggs will bounce and may burst.
  • Do not overfill the pan. Make sure that the eggs have enough space in the pan so that they do not pile up and touch each other. Also, an overfilled pan can affect cooking time.
  • Buy a different brand of eggs. Sometimes the shells of different brands of eggs are of different thicknesses. If you have taken all the above points into account, changing brands can make a big difference.

How Long Can I Keep Boiled Eggs?

Whether you are cooking hard-boiled or soft-boiled eggs, you can keep them in the refrigerator for the following periods:

  • Hard-boiled eggs: up to 1 week
  • Hard-boiled eggs: up to 3 days

In the shell or shelled? Hard-boiled eggs can be stored either in the shell or shelled. However, if you want maximum freshness and maximum shelf life in the fridge, keep them in the shell.

Also Check Cincinnati Chili Recipe : A Delicious and Distinctive Recipe

Practical Tip

Also note that eggs should never be stored in the refrigerator door due to frequent temperature changes. Always store eggs in the main part of the refrigerator.

Instructions for use

  1. Bring the water to a boil in a medium-sized pan. Make sure the water is high enough to cover the eggs by about a centimetre. While waiting for the water to boil, remove the eggs from the refrigerator (place them on your work surface).
  2. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat (so that no bubbles form) and, using a skimmer, gently and slowly add the eggs to the water. The water will then be brought back to a boil.
  3. Set the timer and cook the eggs for 6-7 minutes for poached eggs and 12-14 minutes for boiled eggs. See cooking time instructions above. While the eggs are boiling, prepare a tub of ice water.
  4. When the eggs have reached the desired cooking time, remove them with a ladle and immediately plunge them into a tub of ice water to stop the cooking.
  5. Peel the eggs from the bottom up, which will help you get to the bottom of the shell.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 77.5kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 0.6 g
  • Protein: 6.3 g
  • Fat: 5.3 g
  • Saturated fat: 1.6 g
  • Cholestorol: 186.5 mg
  • Sodium: 62 mg
  • Coagen: 0.6 g

Conclusion

The best boiled egg can be obtained every time if you know how long to boil eggs for. Following the suggested boiling periods will guarantee that your eggs are perfectly cooked, whether you prefer them soft-boiled, medium-boiled, or hard-boiled. You can also guarantee that your cooked eggs will turn out perfectly wherever you are by remembering the high altitude cooking advice. So the next time you’re in the mood for some boiled eggs, try this detailed advice to make sure they come out just right.

Must Read Zucchini Recipes – Best 5 Recipes You Must Try

Comments are most welcome and appreciated.