How To Cook Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs

Here is a fool-proof way to cook the perfect soft boiled eggs, or as I like to call them "dippy eggs", every time!

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• About This Recipe
• What You'll Need
• Let's Make Soft boiled Eggs
• Top Tips + FAQs
• More Egg Recipes You May Like
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

The window was slightly ajar letting out some of the steam that had built up in the small kitchen. My grandmother feverishly stirring what looked like an absurdly large pot while chattering about the neighbors. I sat at the kitchen table staring out the 7th story window, daydreaming and patiently waiting with my piece of fresh, crusty bread. Six minutes is a long time for a kid.

I turned back to the scene behind me. My grandfather’s towel-wrapped hand, swiftly maneuvering past my grandma with the boiling pot; some sort of bickering exchanged. Cold water running, I waited; stomach growling. I knew the routine. It was predictable, timed, and always perfect.

As he cracked the top open, I could see the orange glow against the white. It was a magical sight. A pinch of salt, a dash of pepper. A beautifully cooked soft boiled egg. It was the perfect egg for dipping my bread in it first, then scooping out the white with the spoon. A few pieces of hard, aged salami, tea and breakfast was complete.

Something as simple as eating an egg, when done slowly, with intention, can become nearly ceremonious. There was an utter delight in having this carefully cooked egg before me that took just minutes to make. I’m not certain I appreciated it as a 7 year old, but the memory is deeply ingrained and I look back on it with fondness.

I hesitated writing this blog post because it seemed a little silly at first…everyone knows how to cook a soft-boiled egg, right? But after posting an image on my Instagram feed about cooking the perfect soft-boiled egg and receiving questions about the technique, I thought maybe not. So a single egg is getting its own blog post. After all, the egg is a coveted food around these parts. So let’s jump right into the method of cooking the perfect soft-boiled egg.

About This Recipe

• It takes just minutes to make
• Cooking time can be adjusted
• Softboiled eggs are perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner

What You'll Need

• A medium-sized pan
• Water
• 2-4 eggs

Let's Make Soft boiled Eggs

Step 1. Add 4 cups water to a medium pot. Bring the water to a boil.

Step 2. Reduce heat to a simmer and gently place eggs in water without bouncing them. (You can use a small strainer or large spoon) Return heat to boiling, cover pot with a lid, and set your timer for 6 minutes.

Step 3. After 6 minutes, run eggs immediately under cold running water for 1 minute. Or you can create an ice bath and place them for 1 minute.

Step 4. Peel eggs and serve right away.

Top Tips + FAQs

Why Should Boil The Water First?

You want the temperature to be steady throughout the entire cooking process. If you place your eggs in cold water and boil them after, you won't be able to time it just right. This way you have complete control over the doneness of the egg.

Do You Need To Set A Timer?

Yes! Unlike hardboiled eggs, which are a little more forgiving, soft boiled eggs are very particular. Depending on how I want my eggs done, I use anywhere between 6-7 minutes of cooking time. If I want them dippier, it's 6. If I want them a little harder, 6 minutes and 45 seconds. As you make soft boiled eggs, you'll get a feel for how you like yours done.

Do You Need To Peel The Eggs Right Away?

I like to peel them right away because if they sit at room temperature, they will continue cooking in their own steam. I also like to eat them warm.

How To Eat Soft Boiled Eggs

• On gluten-free toast
• Over roasted vegetables
• With avocado and greens
• Add them to salads
• With smoked salmon and asparagus
• Over fried rice
• By dipping gluten-free toast pieces in the egg

More Egg Recipes You May Like

• Sweet Potato Toast with Egg and Avocado
• Keto Deviled Eggs with Avocado
• Easy Mini Frittatas with Bacon Broccoli and Red Pepper
• Salad Nicoise
• Grilled Radicchio Salad with Fennel and Soft Boiled Egg
• Egg Salad Avocado Boats (Keto, Paleo, Whole 30, Vegetarian)
• Keto Omelette With Avocado And Greens