To boil an egg, the cooking time depends on the desired yolk consistency:
- 5-6 minutes : Set white with runny or liquid yolk, good for dipping or soft-boiled eggs.
- 7-8 minutes : Yolk is almost set to softly set, ideal for Scotch eggs or soft-boiled eggs with a jammy center.
- 10 minutes : Classic hard-boiled egg with a fully set yolk that is mashable but not dry or chalky.
- 12-14 minutes : Firmer hard-boiled eggs with a lighter yolk, but avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.
The recommended 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 without cracking the eggs, and start timing immediately
. After boiling, transfer eggs to cold water to stop cooking and make peeling easier. Peel from the base under water for best results
. Summary of boiling times for large eggs:
Desired Doneness| Boiling Time (minutes)
---|---
Runny yolk| 5-6
Soft set yolk| 7-8
Hard boiled (classic)| 10
Firmer hard boiled| 12-14
Adjust times slightly for egg size: add about 30 seconds for extra-large eggs and 1 minute for jumbo eggs
. This method ensures consistent results whether you prefer runny, soft, or hard-boiled eggs
