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How to Boil Eggs (Hard-Boiled and Soft-Boiled)
For 2–4 eggs · About 20 min
Put eggs straight from the fridge into boiling water. Just change the boiling time to get soft-boiled (7 min) or hard-boiled (12 min).
⚠️ The egg in this dish is softA soft yolk or runny surface means the egg isn’t fully cooked. For young children, older people and anyone who is unwell, cook the egg until the yolk is firm, as shown in the steps.
① Boil water→② Add the eggs and boil→③ Cool in ice water→④ Peel the shell
What to buy
Eggs
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How to make it
1
Boil water
- Put about 1 L water in a pot big enough for the eggs and bring to a boil on high heat (enough water to fully cover the eggs)
- Take the eggs out of the fridge and check for cracks (don't boil cracked eggs; use them in a dish where they get fully cooked, such as frying)
- Get a bowl of water and ice ready
How to tell it's doneBig bubbles are coming up from the bottom of the pot.
2
Add the eggs and boil
- Put an egg on a ladle, gently lower it to the bottom of the water, then let go. Do one at a time
- As soon as they're all in, start a timer. Soft-boiled: 7 minutes, hard-boiled: 12 minutes
- For the first 1 minute, gently roll the eggs with cooking chopsticks (this keeps the yolk in the center)
- Keep the heat (medium) so the water is boiling gently
How to tell it's doneThe timer went off. Go to the next step right away.
Be carefulIf you drop the eggs in, the shells crack and the whites leak out. Lower the ladle all the way to the bottom before letting go.
Be carefulThe water splashes, so keep your face away from the pot. Roll up your sleeves near boiling water.
3
Cool in ice water
- Turn off the heat, and scoop out the eggs with a ladle into ice water
- Cool for 5 minutes. If you don't have ice, change the water when it gets warm
- Don't pour the hot water straight into the sink; let it cool a little first
How to tell it's doneWhen you hold an egg in your hand, it's not warm (it's cool all the way to the center).
Be carefulDon't lift the pot of hot water and pour the eggs into a colander. The water will splash and burn you. Scoop the eggs out with a ladle.
4
Peel the shell
- Tap the round bottom end of the egg lightly on the counter to crack it, then roll it to spread the cracks all over
- Peel from the bottom end. If you peel it under water, or with a little running water, it slides off along with the thin skin
- Sprinkle salt on the peeled eggs when you eat
ReadyAll the shell is off. Soft-boiled: when cut, the white is set and the center of the yolk is runny. Hard-boiled: the yolk is fully yellow and set, and doesn't run when cut.
Be carefulKeep peeled eggs in the fridge and eat them the same day. Unpeeled eggs also go in the fridge; eat them within 2 days. Use hard-boiled eggs for bento. Also make them hard-boiled, not soft-boiled, if small children, older people or anyone feeling unwell will eat them.
Boiling time and yolk firmness
This is a guide for eggs (medium size) straight from the fridge, put into boiling water.
- 6 min: soft white, very runny yolk
- 7 min: soft-boiled. The center of the yolk is runny
- 9 min: the center of the yolk is just a little moist
- 12 min: hard-boiled. The yolk is fully set (for bento, sandwiches and salads)
📚 Learn more about this dish
🥬 Ingredient guide
🔪 Cutting & cooking tips
If it didn't work out
The yolk has a greenish or gray ringThey boiled too long, or you didn't cool them right after boiling. They're safe to eat. Next time take them out on time and put them in ice water right away.
Hard to peel, or the white tearsThey weren't cooled enough, or the eggs were very fresh. Next time cool them well in ice water for 5 minutes and peel under water. Use eggs that are a few days old.
An egg cracked while boiling and the white came outYou dropped the egg in, or the water was boiling too hard. Next time lower it to the bottom with a ladle and use medium heat.
You wanted soft-boiled but it's firmIt boiled too long, or you cooled it too late. Next time boil 6 minutes 30 seconds and put it in ice water right away.
The soft-boiled egg is too soft and the white is looseThe egg was large, or the water temperature dropped. Next time check that the water is boiling again after adding the eggs, and boil 7 minutes 30 seconds.
The yolk is off-centerYou didn't roll them in the first minute. Next time gently roll them with cooking chopsticks for 1 minute right after adding them.
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