To boil eggs perfectly, the cooking time depends on how you like your yolks:
- 5 to 6 minutes for runny yolks with set whites (soft boiled)
- 7 to 8 minutes for softly set yolks, ideal for dishes like Scotch eggs
- 10 to 11 minutes for classic hard-boiled eggs with fully set yolks but not dry or chalky
A reliable method is to bring water to a boil first, then gently lower in fridge-cold eggs, reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil without cracking the eggs, and start timing from that point. After boiling, immediately transfer the eggs to cold water to stop cooking and make peeling easier
. For example:
Desired Doneness| Boiling Time (minutes)| Notes
---|---|---
Runny yolk| 5-6| Whites set, yolk liquid
Soft set yolk| 7-8| Slightly sticky yolk
Hard boiled| 10-11| Fully set yolk, mashable
Additional tips:
- Use large eggs (~50-55g) for these times; adjust slightly for bigger eggs
- Avoid crowding the pot so eggs cook evenly
- Peel eggs under running or cold water starting from the base for easier shell removal
This approach ensures consistent results whether you prefer dippy, soft, or hard boiled eggs.
