How long to boil eggs (soft, medium, firm, or hard boiled)

How long does it take to boil an egg? As long as you like. If you have a large egg, it will take 4-5 minutes to get it soft-boiled. This is how long to boil an egg for soldiers. 

Cooking time depends on if the eggs have been in the fridge, how big the eggs are, and how you like your eggs. 

Eggs are so easy to make, and they are a versatile ingredient in many dishes. They can be eaten in pies, tarts, and even pickled. Eggs can add extra nutrients to vegetarian meals and are a colourful addition to ramen. 

Whatever way you like your eggs: hard-boiled, soft-boiled or runny. We can show you how to get your eggs perfect for any egg recipes you desire.

How to boil eggs?

Use this fool-proof method to boil eggs. 

1. Put your eggs in a saucepan, then cover them with an inch of water. Put on high heat.
2. When the water is almost boiling. Set a timer depending on how you want your eggs done.
3. Shorter time runny egg equals 3 minutes, and if you want it firm, up to 8 minutes.
4. Simmer the eggs for the remaining time.
5. Take the pan off the heat. Eat your eggs with a pinch of salt or serve them in a filling curry.

You can boil an egg in cold or hot water. But how long to boil an egg from cold water? It will take a few minutes longer as you need to wait till the water boils. Using boiled water to cook your eggs and timing them means your eggs are consistently perfect.  

How many minutes should I cook my egg?

How long to boil a quail egg: 2 to 3 ½ minutes.

How long to boil a poached egg: 

2 ½ to 4 minutes for great poached eggs. Depending on the size of the egg and whether you're using it straight from the fridge, a truly soft poached egg should take about 2 minutes, while a soft-to-firm one needs 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, carefully take your egg from the pan, and gently poke it with a teaspoon to see whether it's done.

How long to boil egg for runny yolk: 

3 minutes for a really soft-boiled yolk and set white.

How long to boil an egg for soldiers: 

3-4 minutes, depending on how runny you like your egg. Take a small saucepan and fill it a little above halfway with water. Once the water is at a rolling boil, delicately lower the eggs into it using a slotted spoon. After returning the water to a boil, set the timer for 4 minutes. This will produce the perfect dippy egg, with a runny yolk and the right consistency for dipping soldiers.

How long to soft boil an egg:

5 minutes for a firmer yolk and white. Over medium-high heat, bring a sizable saucepan of water to a boil. One at a time, carefully lower eggs into the water with a slotted spoon. Cook for 5 to 6 and 1/2 minutes while adjusting heat to keep a moderate boil. Eggs should be transferred to a dish of ice water and chilled for two minutes, or until barely warm.

How long to cook hard boiled eggs for sandwiches: 

To create ideal hard-boiled eggs, place the eggs in a pot with enough water and salt, boil, then lower the heat down and cook the mixture for an additional 10 mins (with the pan closed with lid). It will take 6 minutes for hard-boiled with a soft yolk.

How long to boil an egg for hard boiled eggs: 

8 minutes for firm hard-boiled. We discovered that 12 minutes, when using the steaming technique, is the ideal time for a hard-boiled egg with a fully set yolk.

How long to boil an egg from fridge? 

Your egg will be a bit colder, so it will take a little longer to cook. Add an extra 30 seconds of cooking time.

The easiest way to peel a hard-boiled egg

The best advice? Boil eggs that are not super fresh because fresh eggs are hard to peel. Once boiled, add cold water and a few ice cubes right away. Allow to cool enough to handle. The theory behind this is that when an egg cracks while still warm and then quickly cools, the cold water causes the whites to shrink just enough to somewhat detach from the shells. It will take around five minutes to serve warm or 15 minutes to serve cold.

Why does my yolk have a green circle around it?

A green circle will form around the yolk of boiled eggs if they are overcooked. Run cold water from the faucet over the eggs for a minute after they have finished boiling to prevent this from happening. The egg will cool down and stop cooking as a result of this.

One of my eggs cracked while boiling. Can I still eat it?

An egg that gets cracked when boiling causes the egg white to leak into the water. These eggs take on a different shape and look lumpy and strange. But don't let that put you off. The eggs are still safe to eat. 

Do not use an egg that was cracked before boiling, especially if you do not know when it was cracked. As you cannot be sure if any germs went into the egg, it is best to throw these eggs away.

Salads that taste good with eggs

Salads are a good way to enjoy boiled eggs. It is also a great method to add protein to your fruit and vegetable ensemble. Egg salads are good for non-meat days as an alternative. Packed with all the nutritional goodness boiled eggs bring, you will enjoy these salads more than ever!

You can replace the pumkin in these recipes with boiled eggs.

Find more excellent egg recipes here:

• Chorizo Scotch quail’s eggs 
• Healthy Son-in-Law eggs  
• Garlic pickled eggs
• Giant cous-cous salad with soft boiled eggs, beetroots and greens 
• Tuna kedgeree