How to Boil Eggs

Why You’ll Love This Boiled Eggs Recipe

Learning how to boil eggs is quite simple and the finished product can be used in so many ways. Here’s why I think you’ll love this recipe:

• Beginner-friendly: A timer takes the guesswork out of boiling the eggs. They’ll be cooked just the way you like them.
• Quick: You only need 5-13 minutes.
• Versatile: Serve them on toast, in chilled salads, or over warm ramen.
• Great for meal prep: Reheat them for a quick bite throughout the week.

What You’ll Need

You probably already have everything you need at home. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for a printable ingredient list.

• Eggs: Make sure they’re large.
• Water: It’s for boiling and the ice bath.
• Baking soda: It’s for easy peeling, but you can totally skip it.
• Ice: This is mandatory for the ice bath.

• Boil the water: Fill a pot with water, and add a teaspoon of baking soda. Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium.
• Add the eggs: Lower the eggs into the pot using kitchen tongs. Don’t drop them or they’ll crack. Boil them for 5-13 minutes, according to your preferred doneness.
• Cool them: Remove them from the water. Transfer them to the ice bath for 10 minutes or until completely cooled. This immediately stops any extra “cooking” from residual heat.
• Peel them: Gently tap the egg on the counter until the shell cracks. Use your fingers to remove the shell carefully. Rinse it with water to remove any leftover bits. Repeat for each egg and enjoy!

Timings for Boiled Eggs

How long you should leave the eggs in the water depends on how runny or firm you like the yolks.

• Soft-set: Boil for 5 minutes. The egg white will be super soft and just set, and the yolk will be very runny.
• Medium: Boil for 9 minutes. The whites will be slightly firm and the yolks will be custardy and creamy.
• Hard-boiled: Boil for 13 minutes. The white and yolk will be completely firm. The yolk should be dense and pale yellow.

Tips & Tricks

• Don’t tap: Avoid the TikTok hack of tapping the egg with a spoon before boiling. It does nothing for the recipe and actually increases the chances of cracking.
• Go for old eggs: Since the membrane on the shell’s inside disintegrates over time, old eggs are the best way to ensure easy-to-peel eggs. You can still peel fresh eggs, but the membrane will be way more stuck to it.
• Running water: Peel the eggs under cold, running water so the shell slides off more easily. Avoid hot water because it’ll cook the eggs even more.
• Use a spoon: Gently tap the boiled egg on the counter until it cracks. Carefully slide a spoon in between the egg and shell. Use it to loosen the shell faster.
• Set them on the counter: If you store your eggs in the fridge, set them on the counter 20-30 minutes before cooking. This lets them come to room temperature and prevents cracking due to temperature shock when you add them to the pot.

Serving Suggestions

Boiled eggs are a yummy addition to any meal. Add them to avocado toast with Crispy Bacon for breakfast. Prepare a ham and cheese breakfast sandwich with American Biscuits. Use them to make my Cobb Salad for lunch. You can even top my Garlic Sesame Noodles or TikTok Ramen with an egg for dinner.

Proper Storage

Soft-set and medium-boiled eggs are best the day they’re made so the yolk doesn’t firm up and seize when reheating. Hard-boiled eggs can be made in advance.

• Fridge: Place them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• To reheat them: Microwave them 30 seconds at a time until warm.