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5.0 from 6 votes

How to Soft Boil Eggs

Soft-boiled eggs follow my hard-boiled method, just with a little less cooking time. Master how to soft boil eggs with custardy whites and jammy yolks.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 6 servings (1 egg each)
Calories: 63 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs
  • water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Fill a medium saucepan with 1 inch of water (about 2 cups) and bring to a rolling boil on high heat. Place eggs in a steamer basket and transfer to the saucepan. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 6 1/2 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, set up an ice bath by fill a large bowl with ice and water. When eggs are done, use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the eggs from the hot water and submerge them under the cold water to cool, about 5 minutes.

Notes

  • Eggs: It’s not true that older eggs are easier to peel than fresh eggs, although sometimes that happens. Adding eggs to a hot environment fast will definitely break the bond between the egg white and membrane, though, and that is what makes them easier to peel.
  • Yield: This recipe makes 6 soft-boiled eggs. Scale up or down as needed. If you're soft-boiling more than 6, do so in batches of 6 or less at one time.
  • Storage: Always store raw and cooked eggs in the refrigerator.
  • Leftovers: Keep the soft-boiled eggs in their shell and peel them to eat on top of a salad , on avocado toast, or as part of breakfast when you're hungry. Eat them within 1 week.
  • Make ahead: If you're planning on serving chilled jammy eggs, you can make them a day or two before you need them. Refrigerate the soft-boiled eggs in their shells until it's time to dine.
  • Cooking time: Depending on the altitude, the size of the pan, and the size of the eggs you bought, the process might take a few minutes longer, but based on multiple tests, we've discovered that this technique for how to soft-boil eggs is quite foolproof. 
  • Steamer basket: If you don’t have a steamer basket, use a spoon or tongs to gently place the eggs in the water. It doesn’t matter if the eggs are above the water or partially submerged. This will work for up to 6 eggs without changing the timing.
  • Make an extra: Since cooking times vary, plan on cooking an extra egg or two to take out and check for doneness at the beginning of your soft-boiling process. If it's not quite ready, you'll know to adjust the time up for future batches.
  • Serve: Nestle the egg inside an egg cup, then use the edge of a knife to gently tap the egg all the way around the top to remove it. Eat the egg right from the shell with a small spoon or toast for dipping. More firmly-cooked eggs can be carefully cracked, peeled like a hard-boiled egg, and served.
  • Peeling: Are your eggs difficult to peel? Try gently cracking the shell all around the egg without peeling it, then soak in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes. The water will seep in under the shell and make it easier to remove.
  • Instant Pot soft-boiled eggs: If you own a multi-cooker, tag it in to make quick work out of soft-boiled eggs in larger batches. Add 1 cup water to a 6-quart Instant Pot. Place the trivet the pot came with inside the pot and add the eggs. Select the Manual setting; adjust the pressure to HIGH, and set time for 1 minute. When finished, wait 30 seconds and then quick-release the pressure using the vent. Cool the eggs in a bowl of ice water for 1 minute.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1egg Calories 63kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 164mg (55%) Sodium 62mg (3%) Potassium 61mg (2%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 238IU (5%) Calcium 25mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings (1 egg each)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 63

% Daily Value*

Serving 1egg
Calories 63kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 164mg 55%
Sodium 62mg 3%
Potassium 61mg 1%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 238IU 5%
Calcium 25mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.