It’s not as hard as you might think to make delicate soft-boiled eggs!
Boiling eggs can be a really finicky process. If you take them out too early, your eggs come out underdone; leave them in too long, and you’ve got an unsightly green sulfur ring around a dry, chalky yolk. While some recipes (like delicious deviled eggs) require hard-boiled eggs in order to make a pipeable filling, others require you to straddle that thin line between underdone and overcooked to achieve a buttery, jammy, slightly runny yolk.
If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite ramen shop gets those perfect soft-boiled eggs, then look no further. With this simple, foolproof formula, 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 atop 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, B vitamins, and choline. Yep, eggs might just be a superfood all on their own.
Soft-boiled eggs are also great for a number of diets. They’re Paleo, keto, Whole30-friendly, and gluten-free. Of course, what you serve them with or how you dress them up will impact their overall dietary qualities, but they make for a great blank canvas for a number of nutritional needs.
A Guide To Egg Yolks
Specific cook times are necessary to achieve different consistencies for your egg yolks. 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:
- 6 minutes: Large eggs, right on the dot, should have a runny liquid yolk and fully set whites, 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 just a minute longer 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.
- 10-12 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, you’ll start getting those unappealing green/gray rings of sulfur around your yolk.
No matter how long you boil them for, your eggs should all go from the hot boiling water to an ice bath. Stopping the cooking once the eggs are out of the water is crucial both for peeling your eggs and for ensuring your eggs don’t get overcooked.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover soft-boiled eggs should be kept in the fridge, whole in their shells, only to be peeled and cut when you’re ready to eat them. They will keep for around 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
Soft-boiled eggs are perfect toppings and additions to so many dishes. Try cutting up a perfect jammy egg and putting the halves over top of some Sesame Soba Noodles or Mushroom Ramen for an extra punch of protein with a striking color. If you’re making soft-boiled eggs at breakfast, try serving them with some Air-Fryer Toast for optimal savory dipping.
Ingredients
- 2-4 large eggs
- Sea salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Bowl of ice water
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 jammy yolks, or 6 minutes if you prefer them 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 preferences.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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