How Long Do You Boil Eggs?

Boiling time depends on the yolk you want. The whites set before the yolk, so the difference between a runny center and a fully set one is just a few minutes.

The times

Soft boiled with a runny yolk: 6 minutes. Jammy yolk with a slightly soft center: 8 minutes. Fully hard boiled with a set yolk: 10 to 12 minutes. These times are for eggs going straight from the fridge into already-boiling water, then immediately into an ice bath when the time is up.

The ice bath

This step is not optional. Pulling the egg out of boiling water and dropping it into a bowl of ice water stops the cooking immediately. Without the ice bath, the egg keeps cooking from residual heat and the yolk turns chalky. The ice bath also contracts the egg slightly inside the shell, which is what makes peeling easier.

Easy peel every time

Fresh eggs are harder to peel than older eggs because the air pocket between the shell and the white has not had time to develop. If you are boiling for meal prep, eggs that are 7 to 10 days old peel cleanly. The full technique, including two methods for different situations, is in the Easy-to-Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs: Two Ways recipe. There is also a video walkthrough on YouTube if you want to see it in real time.

Once you have the eggs, try the Boiled Egg Hummus on Keto Toast for a fast high-protein meal.

Have a question about egg technique while you are cooking? Sous can help. Available in the Kitchen membership at chefhealthyhenry.com.