How Long To Boil Eggs

Boiled eggs are a nutritious way to start the day! They even make a delicious mid-day snack. Boiling eggs is super easy and can be kept in the fridge for a while as well! The process behind getting a perfect boiled egg is something anyone with any level of cooking skill can do! The best part about boiling eggs is that they can be used in a variety of ways. From eating them to incorporating them into recipes, there is no limit to the use of a boiled egg! The first step is tackling how to make them!

How Long To Boil Eggs

People sometimes get intimidated by boiling an egg. They fear that they will boil them too long or boil them too little. The simple answer to how long an egg should be boiled is around 12 minutes but no more than 15 minutes. This time frame will produce an egg that is perfectly firm with a completely cooked center yolk. However, the time of boiling can vary depending on how "done" someone wants their boiled egg.

Eggs, in general, no matter how they are being cooked, can be prepared in a short amount of time. Regardless of the cooking method, an egg can be safe for consumption when cooked for around 6 minutes. If an egg is boiled for 6 minutes, it will be a soft-yolk boiled egg. Those who enjoy dippy eggs, or over-easy eggs, would enjoy these eggs. Different time frames will produce different stages of boiled eggs and ultimately when preparing them a basic time-table should be kept in mind to yield the results. Below is an example of the different cook times associated with the different boiled egg types.

Boiled Egg Times

• 6 minutes - This time produces a soft-yolk that is still rich in dark orange to dark yellow in color.
• 9 minutes - This time produces a firmer, yellower yolk that could be considered "medium-boiled"
• 12 minutes - This time produces a solid, pale yellow yolk and it is considered "hard-boiled"
• 15 minutes - This is the maximum time to boil an egg. This time produces a completely bright yellow yolk and it is considered "hard-boiled"

Eggs should not surpass the 15-minute time frame for boiling. When they do, the shells tend to stick and the texture of the egg is entirely too chewy. While the time frame is important in getting a perfectly boiled egg, so is the water it is being boiled in! There are some tips for boiling eggs! Below are the tips to ensuring that the perfect egg is made every time!

Tips For Boiling Eggs

• Always start with cold water - It might be tempting to use hot water because it might boil faster, however, using cold water ensures that the temperature of the water stays consistent as it heats up. Starting with hotter water could result in overcooked eggs.
• Always layer the eggs in a single-layer - A basic saucepan should be used and the eggs should only be placed in a single layer on the bottom. Stacking anymore than a single-layer will result in cracked eggs during the cooking process.
• Always completely cover the eggs - The eggs should be completely submerged in water. This isn't to say that a giant pot of water needs to be used. A small saucepan is perfect for up to 7 eggs and can be filled a little over half-way with water. The tops of the eggs should not be exposed on the surface of the water. If they are, more water should be added to cover the tops of the eggs by about an inch of water.
• Always use a high heat setting - After ensuring the eggs are completely covered, the stovetop should be turned on high heat so that it engages a full, rolling boil. This is why using cold water is best as it will heat more consistently!
• Always place cooked eggs in cold water - Boiled eggs should start in cold water and end in cold water. When the eggs are done boiling, they should be placed in a bowl of cold water. Because the eggs are incredibly hot within the shells, the heat being retained by the shells can cook the eggs even after being moved out of the hot water. The cool water helps bring their temperature down.

These tips will ensure that any boiled eggs turn out just perfect! Moreover, no matter if the eggs are cooked at 9-minutes or the average time of 12-minutes, these tips are still helpful!