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Learn this easy, foolproof method for how to make soft boiled eggs with gorgeous runny yolks. They’re great on their own, along with toast, or served on top of salads or soups.
Have you heard of a six minute egg? It’s an egg that’s boiled for 6 minutes, resulting in what’s called “soft boiled eggs”. Runny yolks and just-set whites.
You can eat eggs cooked like this any way you’d eat poached eggs (Cilbir is delicious with soft boiled eggs) or eggs fried sunny-side-up. They’re great for serving on top of a breakfast potato hash or avocado toast, using as a garnish on soup (like Czech mushroom soup or Polish sour rye soup) or ramen, or even adding to a salad (try a soft boiled egg on a bread crumb salad). Or if you grew up eating “eggs and soldiers” (aka soft-boiled or “dippy” eggs with buttered toast strips), this will be nostalgic for you.
If you’re looking for the secret to perfect soft boiled eggs, you’re in the right place!
How Long Do You Boil an Egg For a Soft Boil?
6 1/2 minutes. This results in eggs that have just-set whites and runny yolks. But make sure:
- The eggs are size “large” (because smaller eggs need less time and bigger eggs need more), and
- They’re cold from the fridge when you put them into the boiling water.
TIP: It bears noting that this cooking time is for sea level elevation. For higher elevations, you will likely need to increase the cooking time.
Ingredients
Breaking It Down
Ingredients Explained
In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas where applicable. For the full recipe (including the ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.
- Eggs – Use size “large” eggs to get the results shown here.
- Water – To cook the eggs.
Pro Tip: Egg Quality Matters Here (How to Prevent Your Eggshells From Cracking When You Add Them to Boiling Water)
Someone mentioned to me that their eggs crack immediately when placed in boiling water. I’ve never had that happen, but I wanted to help troubleshoot, so I did some research.
I discovered the most likely cause is thin eggshells. What causes thin eggshells? The primary factor is nutrient deficiencies in the hen’s diet, but other causes include older age, stress, and illness. Make sure you’re buying good-quality eggs laid by happy hens from a reputable source!
How to Make Soft Boiled Eggs
- Fill a medium saucepan about 1/3-full of water. Bring the water to a rapid boil, then turn the heat down ever so slightly so it doesn’t splash you, and use a slotted spoon to add the eggs to the boiling water (straight from the fridge so they’re still cold).
- Set a timer and cook for 6 1/2 minutes, then use a slotted spoon to immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to shock them.
- Cool in the ice water for 3 minutes (or until they’re cool enough to handle), then peel and serve.
Storage
Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for up to 2 days. Peel the eggs right before serving.
Tips For the Best Soft Boiled Eggs (Runny Yolks & Set Whites)
- Use “large” eggs because all sizes have slightly different cook times.
- Keep the eggs in the fridge until the water is rapidly boiling.
- Set a kitchen timer as soon as the eggs are in the boiling water.
- Get the ice water bath ready while the eggs are cooking so you can immediately plunge them in when the timer goes off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Let the water come up to a rolling boil before turning it down just a touch so it doesn’t splash you, and then carefully add the eggs with a slotted spoon.
Uncovered. The boil can get a little too rowdy and break the eggshells if you cover the pot.
Set a timer for the exact amount of time you want to cook the eggs for. Other than that, you can cut an egg in half and see, but that’s not really a very efficient method!
If You Love Eggs, You Won’t Want to Miss These Recipes
- Sous Vide Egg Bites with Bacon and Cheddar – Make this Starbucks copycat at home!
- Simple Egg Custard – Cool, creamy, and decadent but without the sugar crash.
- Open-Face English Muffin Egg Sandwiches with Manchego Cheese and Smoky Balsamic Bell Pepper Compote – Impressive enough for entertaining, but easy enough (and freezer-friendly!) for meal prep.
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Soft Boiled Eggs Recipe
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Equipment
- Kitchen timer (or use the timer on your phone)
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs (see Notes)
Instructions
- Boil water. Fill a small-medium saucepan about 1/3-full of water. Bring the water to a rapid boil, then turn the heat down ever so slightly so it doesn't splash you.
- Cook. Use a slotted spoon to add the eggs to the boiling water (TIP: the eggs should be straight from the fridge so they’re still cold). Set a timer and cook for 6 1/2 minutes.
- Cool. Use a slotted spoon to immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water. Cool in the ice water for 3 minutes (or until they're cool enough to handle).
- Enjoy. Peel and serve.
Video
Notes
- Storage: Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate for up to 2 days. Peel the eggs right before serving.
- Number of Eggs: I usually make 3 eggs if I’m making just one serving, but using a medium saucepan, you can make up to 12 eggs at a time with this method. (Just make sure the eggs are in a single layer on the bottom of the pan.)
- Elevation: This cooking time is for sea level elevation. For higher elevations, you will likely need to increase the cooking time.
- To Prevent Eggshells From Cracking Immediately When Put in Boiling Water: Someone mentioned to me that their eggs crack immediately when placed in boiling water. I’ve never had that happen, but I wanted to help troubleshoot, so I did some research. I discovered the most likely cause is thin eggshells. What causes thin eggshells? The primary factor is nutrient deficiencies in the hen’s diet, but other causes include older age, stress, and illness. Make sure you’re buying good-quality eggs laid by happy hens from a reputable source!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.
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I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
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