how long do you boil eggs for

3 hours ago 5
Nature

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