How to boil eggs: soft, medium and hard
Quick answer: lower large eggs into gently boiling water. Cook 6 minutes for a jammy soft yolk, 8 minutes for a medium set yolk, and 10 to 11 minutes for a firm hard-boiled egg. Cool them in ice water right away.
What you need
- Large eggs, straight from the refrigerator
- A saucepan with enough water to cover the eggs by about 1 inch
- A bowl of ice water
- A slotted spoon
Method
- Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Use the slotted spoon to lower each egg into the water carefully, so it does not crack.
- Lower the heat to a steady simmer and start a timer.
- Cook for the time you want (see the chart below).
- When the timer goes off, move the eggs straight into the ice water. Leave them for at least 5 minutes.
- Crack the shell all over and peel under running water, starting from the wider end.
Timing chart (large eggs)
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| 5 to 6 minutes | Soft, runny to jammy yolk; set white |
| 7 to 8 minutes | Medium: creamy yolk, mostly set |
| 9 to 10 minutes | Firm yolk with a slightly soft center |
| 11 to 12 minutes | Fully firm hard-boiled yolk |
Smaller eggs need about a minute less, and extra-large eggs about a minute more. At high altitude, water boils at a lower temperature, so add a minute or two.
Why the ice bath
Cooling stops the cooking, which prevents the greenish-gray ring that can form around an overcooked yolk. It also makes the egg easier to peel.
Tips for easy peeling
- Older eggs peel more easily than very fresh eggs, so use eggs that have been in the fridge for a week or more for boiling.
- Starting eggs in already boiling water helps the white set and pull away from the shell.
- Peel under running water, or roll the egg gently on the counter to crack the shell.
How long do boiled eggs keep?
Hard-boiled eggs keep about 1 week in the refrigerator. Keep them in their shells until you need them, and refrigerate them within 2 hours of cooking. Details in how long food can sit out and fridge storage times.
A note on food safety
Eggs with runny yolks are not fully cooked. Young children, pregnant people, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are advised to eat only eggs cooked until the yolks and whites are firm. See the safe internal cooking temperatures chart.
Nutrition
A large hard-boiled egg has about 78 calories and 6.3 g of protein. Read how much protein is in an egg for sizes, whites and yolks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I start eggs in cold or boiling water? Either works. Boiling water gives more repeatable timing, which is why we use it here.
Why did my eggs crack? Usually from dropping them in, or from very cold eggs meeting fierce boiling. Lower them gently and keep the heat at a simmer.
Can I boil eggs in advance? Yes, for up to a week in the fridge.