The time to boil an egg depends on the desired level of doneness:
- For a runny or liquid yolk (soft boiled): about 5 to 7 minutes.
- For a jammy yolk (slightly soft but firm): about 7 to 8 minutes.
- For a fully hard-boiled egg (firm yolk and white): about 10 to 14 minutes.
A common method is to start eggs in boiling water and then cook them according to these times. After boiling, placing the eggs in an ice water bath stops the cooking and helps with peeling. Here is a useful breakdown for boiling large eggs starting in boiling water:
Boiling Time| Yolk Texture
---|---
5-6 minutes| Runny yolk (soft boiled)
6.5-7 minutes| Soft, jammy yolk
8 minutes| Slightly soft but firm yolk
10 minutes| Early hard-boiled (firm but tender)
12 minutes| Hard-boiled
14 minutes| Fully hard-boiled, firm yolk
Use an ice bath immediately after boiling to stop cooking and ease peeling. This timing is for large eggs and can vary slightly by egg size and altitude.
