How To Make The Perfect Boiled Egg Every Single Time

Looking for some before- or after-workout protein bites? Why to rely on protein bars or protein-powder energy balls when nature already has what you need: the versatile superfood called egg.

A perfect boiled egg is an amazing on-the-go snack fully packed with proteins. But boiling an egg is not as easy as it might seem, since it’s so common to miscalculate its cooking time. I bet you’re not that happy when you find out the yolk is runny, but you want it solid instead; or vice versa.

Don’t worry, from now on you’ll cook the perfect boiled egg every time, with the help of these tips!

Guide To The Perfect Boiled Egg

Quick Tip: To make the eggshells easier to peel when the perfect boiled egg is ready, you should add a tablespoon of vinegar to the cold water, before boiling.

1. The Technique

In a pot with water place a tablespoon of vinegar, then the eggs. Don’t crowd too many eggs in the pot and make sure they are covered in water.
Place the pot over high heat.
Let the water come to a boil, then cover the pot and remove it from the heat.
Start the timer and let the eggs into the hot water 3, 4, 6, 10, or 15 minutes, to your liking.
You’ve just made your perfect boiled egg.

2. The Timing

3 min: Yolks are completely liquid and whites are slightly gloopy.

4 min: Yolks are a little more solid, but still runny; while whites are set, but soft.

6 min: Yolks are pudding-like and whites are firm.

10 min: Whites are solid, but yolks are a little bit creamy.

15 min: The eggs are hard-boiled and completely solid.

3. The Freshness Test

Now, eggs are only delicious if they’re fresh. If you’re not sure whether your perfect boiled egg is ready for eating or past its prime, dunk it in a glass bowl filled with water and compare it to this handy visual.

If the perfect boiled egg stands:

On the bottom of the bowl, then it’s 100% fresh and at peak flavor.
With one corner lifted, then it’s about a week old, so it’s entirely edible.
Vertically on a point, then it’s a couple weeks old, so eat stat.
At the top, floating, then you should not eat it because it’s very old.

4. The Peeling

After the perfect boiled egg is ready, dunk it in a bowl with water and ice for about one minute. Crack it gently and peel it open. Your perfect boiled egg is now perfectly peeled.

Extra Tip

If you prefer hard-boiled eggs, here’s another trick you can use to make it really easy to peel:

Before boiling it, bring the egg to the room temperature and poke it with a pin. I know this is a little scary, but trust me, the white and the yolk won’t come out through that tiny hole. Then proceed with the boiling process as explained above.

Bonus

Here’s a sweet infographic with the time you need to cook hard-boiled eggs, soft-boiled eggs, fried eggs, scrambled eggs and poached eggs.

My Favourite Egg Dish

You need to try this simple, but incredibly easy and tasty recipe. I’ve found it a couple of weeks ago, and since then, this is my favourite breakfast. Just a slice of bread and one egg can be that yummy! I can’t believe I’ve been cooking eggs the wrong way until now 🙂