If you are looking for a perfect recipe for soft-boiled eggs that delivers tender, delicious yolks and tasty firm whites, this post was created exactly for you. Boiled egg as a dish is an integral part of any cuisine. It can be used as an appetizer and a base for a snack/sandwich. It is one of the most obvious and suitable options for breakfast.
I will share with you all the tips that I could think of for boiling eggs with soft yolks. For me, there are two distinct types of soft-boiled eggs. I differentiate them by the consistency of the boiled yolk. The first type of boiled egg has a runny yolk, and whites can be slightly loose (depending on the way you like to have them). The second type of boiled egg has fully hardened whites and a jammy yolk that is still spreadable.
All the recipes will have boiling time for both types of eggs. So, you can easily check the time for whatever eggs you are boiling for a meal of your choice. However, I can’t stress enough that this timetable is given as a baseline. As different tops of the stoves have different heat.
You can choose eggs of bigger size than I have in the photos, and this can lead to an increase in cooking time. Do not forget that 1-week eggs will be easier to peel, and this is very important in keeping the whites of soft-boiled eggs intact.
Hope you find this instruction helpful!
How Long Do You Cook Soft-Boiled Eggs?
If you are looking for a way how you can make the perfect soft-boiled egg, this cooking times chart for boiling eggs will be of great value to you. You will always be able to check the boiling time for a soft-boiled egg according to its data.
First, you decide what type of soft-boiled egg you want to have, whether with a runny yolk or a “medium” soft yolk. I think that I do not have to describe what runny yolk means, but soft is a more undefined concept. For me, soft means nearly set yolk but still spreadable.
You will see in the picture where I describe the cooking method of how to get both these types of soft-boiled eggs. So, here is your answer for how long do you boil egg for soft boiled:
- How long do you boil an egg for a soft yolk? On average, you have to boil eggs for 6 minutes to get a soft yolk.
- How long do you boil an egg to get runny yolk? You boil eggs for no more than 4 minutes to have a runny yolk.
Bear in mind that this soft-boiled egg time chart applies to the recipe when you add eggs to cold water and get them to boil on the stove. And, of course, every little thing can affect boiling time measurements. The egg size (I used medium-sized eggs, around 55 g each). The size of a saucepan, the number of eggs (I would advise not to use more than 4 eggs in a batch), and the amount of water (it should always fully cover eggs, at least 1 inch above the eggs).
To get everything figured out, just follow the recipes below. They have a detailed list of ingredients with all the tips that you can come up with.
Soft Boiled Egg from Cold Water Recipe
The first boiling method that I will share with you is the first method that comes to my mind when I need to boil eggs. It has simple moves to follow, no extra time for getting eggs to room temperature. Has no special twists or tricks that you need to learn. Simply boil water and set a timer for the necessary time to get eggs to the consistency that you need.
Cuisine: International Type: Ingredient/Garnish Calories: 155 kcal (per 100 g) Yield: 3 servings Prep Time: 5 min Cook Time: 8 min Ready in 17 min
Ingredients for Soft-Boiled Eggs:
- 3 eggs;
- 1 l water;
- 1 tbsp. salt.
Let’s see how you can boil eggs from cold water on the stove:
- I prefer rinsing eggs before boiling them under cold running water, especially if I brought them from the farmers’ market. Then place them in a chosen saucepan. Please choose wisely as there must be enough room for the batch you are about to boil. My advice would be not to cook more than four eggs at once, as it will be hard to guess eggs cooking time in this case.
- Cover eggs in a saucepan with enough cold water (it definitely should be at least 1 inch above the eggs). Add 1 tablespoon of salt and put your pan on the high heat on the stove.
- When water boils, lower the heat so that water will be at a “rolling” simmer. Now is the time to set a timer. If you have the same sized pan and the number of eggs that I had for this recipe, boil eggs no more than for 3 minutes for the runny yolk (maximum 4 minutes if you have a bigger saucepan and 4 eggs in it). To get jammy soft yolk, let eggs boil for 5-6 minutes.
- Prepare a bowl with cold water and ice in it. When boiling time passes, move boiled eggs to the bowl right away. Let them sit for several minutes before serving!
I tend to use eggs with a soft yolk in salads and eggs with a runny yolk together with buttered toast for breakfast.
The best way to eat your soft egg with a runny yolk is directly from its shell. Place an egg in a special eggсup; get rid of its pointed top using a small knife and enjoy it with a teaspoon (or toast slices).
Soft Boiled Eggs Recipe from Boiling Water: Two Options
Let’s have a look at how you can boil soft eggs by adding them to already boiling water. Do not forget to pay attention to the boiling time of eggs. If you want to have yolks runny, you will have to spend less time boiling eggs in water and vice versa to get the yolk soft set time for one more minute to boil:
- This recipe requires some prepping time. Take eggs out of the fridge and let them warm up to room temperature. We do this to avoid cracking. You can also leave them in a bowl with warm water for several minutes (but I keep avoiding this step and just leave them on the kitchen counter before boiling).
- Boil water in a large saucepan on high heat on the stove. Add a tablespoon of salt and lower the heat so that water will be “confidently” simmering.
- Add eggs to the simmering water using any handy utensil. Let eggs cook for 5 minutes for a runny yolk and 7 to 8 minutes for a soft yolk. If you want to have not only runny yolk but also a loose white, boil eggs for not more than 4 minutes.
- Use a cold bath to cool down eggs before servings.
Here is another recipe, but now you can get only runny yolk after cooking. There is not enough heat to get the yolk hardened. It is a foolproof method for boiling eggs to get that nice loose yolk for your sandwich or salad.
- Repeat the first two steps from the first recipe. Let eggs warm up before boiling. Water in a saucepan on the stove and get it to boil. Add a tablespoon of salt and lower the heat to simmering water.
- Now, place eggs carefully in simmering water and let them cook for one minute.
- In a minute, cover the pot with a lid and set it aside from the heat.
- Let eggs sit in hot water for 5 to 7 minutes (as always, time depends on the size of the saucepan, the size of eggs, and their amount).
When I cook eggs this way for that delicious runny yolk, I keep skipping the last step. I do not use a cold bath to cool them down. I find it may be somewhat tastier to have soft-boiled eggs with a runny yolk in this way.
Soft Boiled Egg Recipe without Boiling
You won`t find an easier and simpler recipe to follow to get that soft-boiled egg with yummy runny yolk plus a loose white:
- Take a deep bowl or a saucepan and transfer eggs there.
- Boil water in a kettle and pour it into the pan with eggs to cover them fully.
- Cover the pot with a lid and leave eggs for 10 minutes.
- Boil the necessary amount of water again.
- Carefully drain water and pour boiled water once again into the pot.
- Keep eggs in hot water for additional 5 minutes. Enjoy!
I would like to repeat myself one more time, as you need to remember, that not only yolk but white also stay slightly runny. Use only this recipe if it fully meets your requirements.
I think you have already noticed that I always add a tablespoon of salt to boiling eggs. I use it in case an egg cracks as salt will help to keep whites from running during the process of cooking.
How many calories is a soft-boiled egg?
Soft-boiled egg provides about 87 kcal (nutrition amount given for 55 g egg).
I think that boiling eggs can be difficult only the first time you are doing it. The first thing is to understand how you can get eggs to boil without cracking. You should choose the saucepan wisely so that it fits the best.
How to Soft Boil Eggs
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 1 l water
- 1 tbsp. salt
Instructions
- I prefer rinsing eggs before boiling them under cold running water, especially if I brought them from the farmers’ market. Then place them in a chosen saucepan. Please choose wisely as there must be enough room for the batch you are about to boil. My advice would be not to cook more than four eggs at once, as it will be hard to guess eggs cooking time in this case.
- Cover eggs in a saucepan with enough cold water (it definitely should be at least 1 inch above the eggs). Add 1 tablespoon of salt and put your pan on the high heat on the stove.
- When water boils, lower the heat so that water will be at a “rolling” simmer. Now is the time to set a timer. If you have the same sized pan and the number of eggs that I had for this recipe, boil eggs no more than for 3 minutes for the runny yolk (maximum 4 minutes if you have a bigger saucepan and 4 eggs in it). To get jammy soft yolk, let eggs boil for 5-6 minutes.
- Prepare a bowl with cold water and ice in it. When boiling time passes, move boiled eggs to the bowl right away. Let them sit for several minutes before serving!
Notes
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