The ideal boiling time for an egg depends on how you like the yolk and white cooked:
- 5–6 minutes for a runny yolk with set whites (good for dipping or soft yolks)
- 7–8 minutes for a softly set yolk, slightly jammy and sticky (great for Scotch eggs or soft boiled)
- 10 minutes for a classic hard-boiled egg with fully set yolk but not dry or chalky
- Up to 12–14 minutes for a very firm hard-boiled egg with a light-colored yolk
A reliable method is to bring water to a boil first, then gently lower fridge- cold eggs into the boiling water, reduce heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil, and start timing immediately
. After boiling, transfer eggs to cold water to stop cooking and make peeling easier
. Here is a concise timing guide for large eggs:
Boiling Time| Result
---|---
5-6 minutes| Runny yolk, set white
7-8 minutes| Softly set yolk (jammy)
10 minutes| Hard boiled, fully set yolk
12-14 minutes| Very firm hard boiled
Adjust times slightly for egg size (add about 30 seconds for extra-large eggs)
. In summary, boil eggs for about 6 minutes for soft yolks and 10 minutes for hard boiled eggs for consistent, perfect results
