To boil eggs, the cooking time depends on how you like the yolk:
- For a runny yolk with set whites, boil for about 5-6 minutes.
- For a soft but more set yolk, boil for 7-8 minutes.
- For a classic hard-boiled egg with a fully set yolk, boil for 10-12 minutes.
A common and reliable method is to bring water to a boil first, then gently lower fridge-cold eggs into the boiling water and start timing:
- 6 minutes for runny yolks
- 8 minutes for soft boiled
- 10 minutes for hard boiled
After boiling, immediately transfer the eggs to cold water to stop cooking and make peeling easier
. Egg size affects cooking time slightly; larger eggs require about 30 seconds to 1 minute longer
. In summary:
Desired Doneness| Boiling Time (minutes)
---|---
Runny yolk| 5-6
Soft boiled (jammy yolk)| 7-8
Hard boiled| 10-12
This method ensures consistent results every time