How Long Does it Take to Boil an Egg?

Boiled eggs are a cheap source of high-quality protein. They are also rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins (1).

Eggs can be eaten in many ways just as they contain many nutrients, and many chefs acknowledge that it is necessary to understand the right way to boil an egg.

Whether you want the hard-boiled version or something soft, the key is in knowing how long you should boil an egg.

In this article, you’ll learn how long you should boil eggs so they can turn out right every time.

There’s no fixed boiling time, it varies

The time required to boil an egg varies. There is no optimal boiling time. The time required to boil an egg depends more on your taste preferences and what you want to use the eggs for.

A hard-boiled egg, for example, works well when used in an egg salad or as on-the-go-snack. On the other hand, eggs with a soft yolk will work better when used to garnish a crunchy salad, a slice of toast, or a bowl of ramen.

Whichever you want, begin by filling a pot with water. Ensure that the water covers the eggs completely. You can boil as many eggs as you want at the same time. Just ensure that they are completely covered in water while cooking.

Next, allow the water to boil fully, then lower the heat so that the water just simmers. Place the eggs carefully into the water and turn up the heat again so that the water boils slowly.

Ensure that the water doesn’t boil vigorously. A vigorous boil may cause the eggshells to crack.

The guide below will help you to decide how long to boil your eggs:

• 7 minutes: a 7-minute boil will give you a firm white, and a soft yolk.
• 8 minutes: boiling your egg for 8 minutes will result in a soft and jammy yolk. However, it won’t turn fluid.
• 10 minutes: you have your eggs cooked through but with a slightly soft center.
• 12 – 13 minutes: you will have hard-boiled eggs. The good news is that they won’t be overcooked.

The guide outlined above applies to large eggs. Eggs of small sizes will cook faster. Large eggs will need some more time.

After you’re done cooking, place the eggs in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Note that an overcooked egg isn’t harmful to the health, but the texture may not be so nice. It will be rough and rubbery.

Other ways to boil an egg

There are many egg-cooking techniques – techniques that will give you the same quality and taste like eggs boiled in water.

These include:

Steaming

Would you like to eat your egg fresh and tasty without spending your precious time boiling water? Then there’s good news! Steaming your eggs will give you the same quality and taste like that of an egg boiled with water. The thing is when steaming, you use much less water.

To steam an egg, fill your pot with an inch of water or 2 at most. Insert a steamer basket into the pot and allow the water to boil. Place your eggs carefully into the basket. Steam for 5 minutes if you want a soft-boiled egg, and up to 12 minutes if you want the hard-boiled version.

Place the eggs in an ice bath or under cold running water once you are done.

Pressure cooking

One of the major advantages of pressure cooking is its simplicity. As in, it simplifies the process of cooking. Boiling eggs is part of this.

To pressure-cook, an egg, add a cup of water to your pressure cooker, then insert a steamer basket. Place up to a dozen eggs in the basket (this depends on the size of your cooker), then close the lid securely.

To soft-boil, your egg, cook for 2-4 minutes on low pressure. To make a hard-boiled egg, cook in the pressure cooker for up to 7 minutes.

When the timer goes off, release the pressure valve on the lid and let the steam escape. Open the lid with care and place the eggs under cold running water or in an ice bath.

It is important to note that this method is best used for electric pressure cookers. You may need to adjust the cooking depending on the model of the cooker and the number of eggs you’re cooking.

Baking

Yes, you can bake your egg, and in turn, get a perfect boiled egg. It doesn’t require any water.

To start, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place an egg into each cup of a muffin pan.

Bake for 22 minutes if you want a soft yolk, or for 30 minutes if you want a firm hard boil. Cool in an ice bath after baking.

Altitude affects the duration that it takes to boil an egg

Water at sea level boils at a higher temperature compared to that at higher altitudes. So, if you are living in a high-altitude region, it may take longer to have your egg boiled (2). If you live at an altitude of 3000 feet or higher, you can raise the cooking time by one minute for each additional 305 meters (1000 feet) (3).

Tonika Bruce

Tonika Bruce, also known as The Network Nurse, is a multi-talented individual with a career spanning over 20 years. She’s a Registered Nurse, speaker, author, and advocate for change, excelling in business building and team development. Tonika holds two Master’s degrees in Nursing and Business Administration, (MSN & MBA) and is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership.

Her expertise extends to various fields such as nursing, entrepreneurship, business, basketball coaching, and executive leadership. She is a published author of “Relentless Pursuit: Proven Tips for Unlocking Your Potentials, Limitless Success and Post COVID Syndrome: A Guide to Repositioning the Nursing Profession for A Post COVID Era”. Currently, Tonika is working on Thrudemic, an anthology examining the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on medical professionals and patients.

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