Fitness / April 23, 2024

How to Make Soft-Boiled Eggs

It’s not hard to make delicate soft-boiled eggs!

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Boiling eggs can be a real finicky process! Don’t leave them in long enough and your eggs come out underdone; too long and you’ve got an unsightly sulfur ring around a chalky yolk! While some recipes (like sinfully delicious deviled eggs) require hard-boiled eggs to make a pipe-able filling with, others require you to straddle that thin line between underdone and overcooked to achieve a buttery, savory eggy adornment!

If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite ramen shop gets those perfectly ‘jammy’ eggs, then look no further! With today’s recipe for perfectly soft-boiled eggs, you’ll be able to make runny eggs of any consistency to pair with just about anything. Soft-boiled eggs are perfect for topping toast in the morning or for serving in a piping hot bowl of noodles and, once you learn how to make them for yourself, you won’t be able to stop!

Are Soft-Boiled Eggs Healthy?

Eggs are a fantastic source of protein. Plus everyone’s favorite breakfast classic has loads of nutrients like vitamins A and D—perfect for mitigating the effects of chronic diseases. Yep, eggs might just be a superfood all on their own.

While soft-boiled eggs are keto friendly and gluten-free, they aren’t vegan. And while we would usually try to suggest a vegan alternative, nothing we could come up with the same goodness and consistency as a true soft-boiled egg.

what is the secret to jammy eggs? what about runny eggs?

Specific cook times are necessary to achieve different consistencies for your eggs. Because eggs can be temperamental and you can’t check the insides for doneness before removing them from the pot, here are the guidelines for different styles of boiled eggs!

< 5 Minutes – Boiling your eggs for under 5 minutes will yield a liquid yolk and extremely runny whites. It’s typically ill-advised to eat eggs that are undercooked like these.
6 minutes – Large eggs, right on the dot, should have a liquid yolk and fully set whites at 6 minutes, perfect for topping toast and other breakfast delights you want to slather that yellow goodness all over!
7 minutes – It may not seem like much of a difference, but one minute longer than runny yolks gets you jammy yolks perfect for slicing in half and serving in a bowl of hot ramen or zoodles!
8-9 minutes – In this window, you’ll get half-set yolks that spread like dense butter but should hold their own when cut in two! Perfect for dolling up a BLT with a bit more protein!
10 minutes – Your yolk is fully set and should come out in a neat bulb if you push it from the other side of the egg. Any longer than this and you’ll start getting foul-smelling and unappealing green and gray rings of sulfur around your yolk.

No matter how long you boil them for, your eggs should all go from the hot water to the cold. Stopping the cooking once the eggs are out of the water is crucial both to peeling your eggs for consumption but also for ensuring your eggs don’t get overcooked.

INGREDIENTS

2 to 4 large eggs
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Simmer

Gently simmer eggs in water.

Chill

Transfer eggs to ice water to cool.

Peel

Crack and peel eggs, then season.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How do I store soft-boiled eggs?

Soft-boiled eggs are so easy to make once you know the secret to their timing! Runny soft-boiled eggs should be kept in the fridge, whole, only to be cut when you’re ready to serve.

I just took my eggs out and they’re underdone! can i toss them back into the water?

As long as your egg shells are still intact, you should be able to keep boiling your eggs for a minute or two longer. Bear in mind, however, how long they’ve been out of the boiling water and how much they’ve cooled (especially if you’ve given them an ice bath).

Ew, I’ve got sulfur rings in my eggs! is it too late for me?

If you’re not too worried about how presentable your eggs are, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. The sulfur ring around over-boiled eggs is harmless and only has a mild flavor (even if the scent is noticeable). If you wanted perfect-looking soft-boiled eggs, however, you’re too late. You can’t un-cook an egg!

Serving Suggestions

Soft-boiled eggs are perfect toppings and additions to some of FoodFaithFitness’s finest feasts. Try cutting up a perfect 7-minute jammy egg and putting the halves into a healthy soba noodle dish for an extra punch of protein with a striking color. If you’re making soft-boiled eggs at breakfast, try serving them with perfectly air-fried toast for optimal savory dippings.

How to Make Soft-Boiled Eggs

It’s not hard to make delicate soft-boiled eggs!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 7

Total Time 12

Servings servings

Calories 63kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

2 to 4 large eggs
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Fill a medium pot with enough water to cover the eggs and heat it until it reaches a gentle simmer, just below boiling.
Using a slotted spoon, carefully lower the eggs into the simmering water. Cook for 7 minutes for soft-boiled eggs with set whites and runny yolks, or 6 minutes if you prefer them even runnier.
While the eggs are cooking, prepare a bowl of ice water. Once the eggs are done, promptly transfer them to the ice water to stop the cooking process.
After chilling for a couple of minutes, gently tap the bottom of each egg to crack the shell slightly. Then, use a small spoon to carefully peel the egg, starting from the cracked bottom.
Season the soft boiled eggs with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste preferences.