You may think that a post about How to Boil Eggs is lame, but everyone needs to learn the basics at one time or another. Once you know how to boil eggs properly from soft boiled to hard boiled, you can create numerous dishes. Bonus, they peel beautifully and no ice bath is required.
Why is it when our moms teach us something, we sometimes are swayed to believe a new improved way is better? This especially happens when this information comes from some supercharged test kitchen where everything is believed to be gospel.
Then, one day you realize how much easier mom’s method is and wondered why you ever strayed. Not only is it easier, it works! It works all the time. Not like that other way which made you feel like you did something wrong. Well guess what? You did! You didn't listen to your mom!
Such is the case with boiling eggs. You see, my Mom taught me one way. Then I read in a famous magazine that another way was better. So I tried it. It included extra steps, a cover to a pan, a big bowl of cold water and lots and lots of ice!
Guess what? It never worked for me like the magazine said it would. Maybe I didn't have enough ice. Or maybe it was cloudy out. Or maybe a full moon was happening.
One day, we were making Peruvian deviled eggs together. I was getting the eggs out and putting them in the pan then added water.
“Natalie, why are you adding the eggs in water that isn't boiling?”
“Because so and so said to do it that way.”
My Mom smacked me (lightly, lovingly) upside the head. Picture how a little Italian Nonna smacks her son in the movies and mumbles something in Italian. Yeah, like that. But Mom is Peruvian, and I'm her daughter.
How to boil eggs is a good start when you are learning to cook. It sure comes in handy around Easter time. When the kids were younger, my Mom would come over every Good Friday and we would boil lots and lots of eggs to color for Easter. During Easter dinner, every guest received a specially designed egg on their plate.
As for boiling the eggs…
- Bring a pot of water to boil.
- Gently put the eggs in the pot of boiling water.
- Continue to boil for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, drain water, and rinse with cold running water until eggs are cool enough to handle.
- Shake the pan gently to crack the shells. Peel the eggs then rinse the eggs.
As for the timing of eggs:
- 5 - 6 minutes for soft boiled with a runny to liquid yolk, respectively (similar to poached)
- 7 - 8 minutes for medium boiled with a almost to slightly set yolk
- 10 - 11 minutes for hard boiled - yolk is set and ready to eat
As for peeling the eggs…
Mom taught me to always start peeling from the bottom of the egg because there is a pocket of air that makes it easier to start the peel.
Life is too short for mediocre food.
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How to Boil Eggs
PRINT PIN SAVEIngredients
- Large eggs I usually cook 6 at a time
- Enough water to cover eggs about 3 ½ cups*
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a pot. The size of the pot and the amount of water is based on how many eggs you cook. I tend to cook 6 at a time, so I use a ⅕ quart pot and about 4 cups of water.
- Carefully lower eggs into pot. I use a spider or slotted spoon to do this. I place 1 to 4 eggs or however many can fit on the spider or slotted spoon, and lower it into the boiling water.
- Reduce heat slightly to medium (water should remain gently boiling), and continue cooking for 10 minutes.
- Drain water from pot then shake the pan gently back and forth to crack the shells. Add cold water to cool the eggs enough so they can be handled. This only takes a minute. The eggs can be used immediately or set aside to cool.
- If any eggs cracked during boiling, don’t fret. Take the egg, peel it, squish it in a bowl, add some salt, pepper, and mayo. Egg salad. Enjoy.
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