Precisely How Long Should You Boil Eggs?
A quick internet search would lead one to believe that there are hundreds of methods to boiling eggs. While this is true, we are sharing the only foolproof method you will ever need.
orinoco-art/Getty Images
By Dana Beninati for Food Network Kitchen
Dana is a host, chef and sommelier.
The perfect boiled egg shouldn’t be hard to achieve. The difference between eggs that are primed and ready to be deviled vs difficult to peel and unpleasantly runny, boils down to nothing more than timing. See what we did there?
How Long to Boil Eggs
Funny enough, hard boiled eggs are barely boiled at all. Instead, our tried and true method instructs you to bring the eggs to a boil and then turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the hot water. There are 4 easy steps in our method to perfectly boiled eggs every time:
Step 1: Cover the eggs in water
Step 2: Bring water to a boil
Step 3: Cover the pot and remove from the heat
Step 4: Wait before removing the eggs from the water and chilling. The amount of time you wait controls the egg yolks’ degree of doneness.
Laurie Ambrose/Getty Images
How Long to Boil Hard Boiled Eggs
For hard boiled eggs, perfect for making deviled eggs, bring the eggs and water to a boil, remove them from the heat and let them sit for 12 minutes.
murka99 / 500px/Getty Images
How Long to Boil Medium Boiled Eggs
For medium boiled eggs that have a "jammy" center, or, in other words, a center that's no longer runny but still soft, bring the eggs and water to a boil, remove them from the heat and let them sit for 6 minutes.
mtreasure/Getty Images
How Long to Boil Soft Boiled Eggs
For soft boiled eggs that have a runny center, bring the eggs and water to a boil, remove them from the heat and let them sit for 3 minutes.
How to Boil Eggs Without a Stovetop
Believe it or not, you don't need a pot of water to make boiled eggs. Here are a few of our favorite alternative methods to making perfect hard boiled eggs:
Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs
Did someone say they are in the mood for some Egg Salad? Put your Air Fryer on double duty by using it to boil the eggs and toast bread for sandwiches.
Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs
Your air fryer can make perfect soft, medium or hard cooked eggs—no boiling water required!
Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Did you know that your Instant Pot is the key to hard boiling big batches of eggs? Give our method a shot next time you are meal prepping boiled eggs.
Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Want a foolproof way to make perfect hard-boiled eggs? Try your Instant Pot®! Quick, perfectly set, creamy yolks every time, without any hassle.
Microwave Boiled Eggs
Place eggs in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with water and add a pinch of salt. Microwave for 5 minutes. Wait for 1 minute before microwaving for an additional 4 minutes. Chill and peel.
Oven Baked Hard Boiled Eggs
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place eggs in the wells of a muffin pan to prevent them from rolling while baking. Bake for about 25 minutes. Chill before peeling.
Related Links:
