How to boil eggs: the perfect cooking time

Boiled eggs have their time zones in the cooking universe—soft-boiled, hard-boiled, or medium-boiled. The ticking clock decides whether your eggs are runny, solid, or strike the perfect balance. Whether you like your eggs fluffy like clouds, with a muffin vibe, or hard as a rock, the secret ingredient to exquisite results.

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Before boiling the egg, keep these tips in mind

• Always use fresh eggs.
• Eggs should be at room temperature—take them out of the fridge a few minutes before if that’s where you store them.
• Completely cover the eggs with water when boiling them.
• Add the egg when the water starts to boil—and not before—and count the necessary cooking time from there.

How to Boil an Egg: The Process

In all cases, the procedure for boiling an egg is as follows:

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1. Place the egg in a saucepan.
2. Bring it to a boil.
3. Once it starts boiling, count the time depending on the doneness you want.
4. Submerge it in ice water to stop the cooking.
5. Peel carefully and enjoy.

This quick and easy breakfast option can be customized to your liking, and the cooking time is crucial for the perfect texture and taste. Below, you can see the different boiled egg cooking times and how they affect the final result.

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How to cook soft-boiled eggs

Cook a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk and a firm white for 3-5 minutes. This is the preferred cooking time for those who enjoy dipping their toast into the yolk.

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How to cook an egg with slightly gooey yolk

For a medium-boiled egg with a slightly mushy yolk and a firmer white, cook the egg for 5-7 minutes. This is a popular cooking time for those who enjoy a slightly gooey yolk.

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How to cook hard-boiled eggs

Cook a hard-boiled egg with a fully cooked yolk and white for 10-12 minutes. This is the preferred cooking time for those who enjoy a fully cooked egg, whether for a salad or a snack.

It’s important to note that the size of the egg will affect the cooking time. Large eggs may require an additional minute or two of cooking time, while small eggs may require less time.

Experiment with different cooking times to find the perfect boiled egg for you. And remember to ask your guests how they prefer their eggs cooked - it’s a small gesture that shows you care about their preferences. 

Happy boiling!