To make a perfect soft boiled egg, generally, it takes about 6 minutes of boiling for an egg with fully set whites and a liquid yolk. If you prefer a slightly softer egg with whites not fully set near the yolk, boiling for 3 to 5 minutes is recommended. The timing can vary slightly depending on the egg size and starting temperature (e.g., from the refrigerator). After boiling, placing the egg in an ice water bath helps stop the cooking process and makes peeling easier.
Common Soft Boiled Egg Boiling Times
- 3 to 5 minutes: runny yolk with slightly unset whites
- 6 minutes: fully set whites with liquid yolk (classic soft boiled)
- 7 to 8 minutes: more jammy yolk, less runny
General Method for Soft Boiling Eggs
- Use large eggs cold from the fridge for the timing above.
- Add 1 inch of boiling water in a small pot.
- Gently place the egg(s) into the boiling water.
- Boil for your preferred time (around 6 minutes for standard soft boiled).
- Immediately transfer to an ice bath to cool.
This method yields consistent results with a soft, runny yolk and set whites suitable for soft boiled eggs.
