Soft Boiled Eggs Recipe

This simple, no-fail method for how to make soft boiled eggs yields perfect runny yolks and set whites every time without the guesswork!

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword 6 Minute Boiled Egg, 6 Minute Eggs, Boiling Eggs From Cold, How to Make Soft Boiled Eggs, How to Soft Boil an Egg, Six Minute Eggs, Soft Boiled Eggs From Fridge

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 7

Cool Time: 3

Servings serving

Calories 189kcal

Author Faith Gorsky

Equipment

3-quart pot
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