How To Make Poached Eggs (2024)

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Learn how to make poached eggs with this easy step-by-step video tutorial and recipe!

How To Make Poached Eggs (1)

With Easter just around the corner, I thoughtthis would be the perfect time to posta little 5-part video miniseries here on the blogthat I’ve wanted to do forever, focusing on one of the most egggg-citing fundamentals of cooking.

That’s right, we’re going to spent the whole week talking about how to cook EGGS! ???‍?

As us romantic-comedy-lovers-of-the-90s learned from “Runaway Bride” back in the day, there are — of course —lots and lotsof different ways that you can prepare eggs. And I don’t know about you, but most people I know seem to also have lots and lotsstrong opinions too about how they like their eggs. Hopefully we’ll cover your favorite kinds of eggs this week! But to kick things off today, I thought it only appropriate tobegin with the kind of eggs that Julia Roberts finallytold Richard Gere that she loved the absolute best:

Poached Eggs!

How To Make Poached Eggs | 1-Minute Video

Ok ok, actually Julia’scharacter said that Eggs Benedict were her favorite kind of eggs, but we’ll get to that full recipe soon.

For today, let’s focus on how to make thatperfectly poached egg that always steals the show in Eggs Benedict. It’s the method that often seems to intimidate people the most. But it’s actually incredibly quick and easy, especially when youfollow these tips:

  • Use fresh eggs:Different methods of cooking lend better to different ages of eggs. But when it comes to poached, always remember — the fresher the better.
  • Add vinegar:I always recommend adding a tablespoon of vinegar (preferably a mild-tasting vinegar, like rice or apple cider vinegar) to the water before adding your eggs. It helps the whites to coagulate more quickly. And don’t worry — you can’t even taste it.
  • Swirl that whirlpool:This is my favorite trick to getting the whites to wrap tightly around the yolk. Watch in the video below!
  • Ease the egg into the water:It’s best to be as gentle as possible when adding the egg to the simmering water when poaching. So I recommend first cracking the egg into a small bowl, then gently lowering it into the waver (vs. cracking the egg directlyinto the water). Small step –> big difference.
  • Don’t overcook:Set a timer so that you don’t forget about your eggs as they cook.

See? Totally easy. You’ve got this.

Happy poaching!

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How To Make Poached Eggs (2)

How To Make Poached Eggs

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  • Prep Time: 1 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x
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Description

Learn how to make perfectly poached eggs with this easy recipe and video tutorial.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar(preferably a mild-flavored vinegar like rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Crack the egg into a small bowl. Set aside.
  2. Add enough water to a small saucepan until it is 1-2 inches deep. Stir in the vinegar.
  3. Bring the water to a simmer. Then use a spoon to swirl the water round and round until it forms a “whirlpool”. (See video for a visual.)Gently lower the egg into the swirling water, and watch as the water wraps the whites around the yolk.
  4. Simmer the egg for 3-4 minutes total, depending on how firm you’d like the egg whites.
  5. Remove egg with a slotted spoon, trimming off the uneven edges if you’d like (optional).
  6. Serve immediately, seasonedwith a pinch of salt and pepper.

posted on April 3, 2017 by Ali

Breakfast / Brunch, How To's

32 Comments »

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32 comments on “How To Make Poached Eggs”

  1. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog April 3, 2017 @ 8:38 am Reply

    I’ve heard of the vinegar trick many times, might as well really try it, since I’ve never been able to poach eggs successfully!

    Charmaine Ng

  2. Lindsay April 3, 2017 @ 8:54 am Reply

    Thank you for this!!! I’ve always been so intimidated by poaching eggs, but this looks way easier than I thought.

  3. Neele Modebloggerin April 3, 2017 @ 10:32 am Reply

    I love your pics! Now i`m hungry :-)

    Neele vom

  4. Amy April 3, 2017 @ 2:27 pm Reply

    What if you want to make more than one egg at a time? Do you swirl the water only once or each time you drop an egg in?

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven May 4, 2017 @ 2:34 pm

      Hi Amy! We found this comment thread helpful:

  5. Chris April 3, 2017 @ 2:28 pm Reply

    Love the whirlpool trick! Any tips on making multiple eggs so they are all warm at the same time. For example, if you were making Eggs Bene for 4 people, how do you get all 8 eggs to come out and be both cooked and warm at the same time?

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven May 4, 2017 @ 2:36 pm

      Hi Chris! We found this comment thread helpful:

  6. Jo-Anne April 3, 2017 @ 2:41 pm Reply

    It took me years to master poaching eggs and I finally nailed it and nail it every time. For me the big difference was using a deep frying pan rather than a saucepan. I can do 4 eggs at once. I use 2 inches of water and have a strong simmer (before I wasn’t simmering enough), break the eggs directly into the water and I don’t use any vinegar or swirling and then put the timer on for 3 minutes. I dab the eggs with kitchen towel. Perfect everytime!

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven May 4, 2017 @ 2:42 pm

      Thanks for sharing with us, Jo-Anne, we’re impressed! :)

  7. Kristen April 3, 2017 @ 3:10 pm Reply

    Hi Ali, thanks for your video! My question is in regards to poaching more than one egg. Do you do each of them separately every time? I cook eggs benedict a lot for my whole family, so I’m making up to 6 plates with 2 eggs on each – so 1 dozen poached eggs!! Any tips on bulk poaching? Thanks!

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven May 4, 2017 @ 2:42 pm

      Hi Kristen! We found this comment thread helpful:

  8. Gretchen April 3, 2017 @ 4:18 pm Reply

    My husband mutilated his poached eggs this past weekend. I’ll need to show him this tutorial!

  9. GARY VINEYARD April 3, 2017 @ 7:53 pm Reply

    Not nearly the best way…eggs consist of actually three parts, not two: yolk, thin white and thick white. To make perfectly poached eggs every time do this: Bring water to about 180…simmering…break egg into a wire sieve and let the “thin white” drain out and then place the egg in the simmering water for between 45-60 secs. or so drain and enjoy…remember you heard it here first…try it and you will be amazed…

  10. Naida April 3, 2017 @ 8:33 pm Reply

    What is the sauce poured in this? And whats the recipe? Looks tasty

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven May 4, 2017 @ 2:39 pm

      Hi Naida! Hollandaise sauce. :) Here’s the recipe!

  11. Natalie Breedlove April 3, 2017 @ 8:47 pm Reply

    YES! The first time I ever heard about eggs Benedict was when I watched this movie. So naturally the next time I was somewhere that had it on the menu that’s what I got, cause I didn’t know what is was. It too, has become a breakfast favorite of my family. Thanks for the poached egg tutorial!

  12. Gina-Marie April 3, 2017 @ 8:54 pm Reply

    Love poached eggs! Yum! What is your hollandaise sauce recipe?

    • Ali April 3, 2017 @ 10:24 pm

      Yay, me too! I have my favorite blender hollandaise recipe scheduled for next week on the blog — stay tuned! :)

    • Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven May 4, 2017 @ 2:38 pm

      Hi Gina, here it is!

  13. Michelle April 3, 2017 @ 11:21 pm Reply

    But how about that hollandaise sauce though!!! Stole the show

  14. LO April 4, 2017 @ 3:16 am Reply

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

    I have neverrrrrr mastered this! I tend to wrap my uncooked eggs into a little cellophane parcel and throw them into the boiling water resulting in a little round poached eggie.

    This seems far easier, and dare I say, easier?

    Lo

  15. Tori//Gringalicious.com April 4, 2017 @ 4:16 am Reply

    Oh, so delicious!

  16. Jane Ritchuk April 4, 2017 @ 6:28 am Reply

    I use lemon juice to acidify the water. Works just as well as vinegar.

  17. Indian dog names April 4, 2017 @ 10:48 am Reply

    Looks delicious.

  18. Bita April 4, 2017 @ 3:01 pm Reply

    Great post Ali! Quite timely as well – so cute to do a an egg series Easter season. Easter has got to be the cutest season ever – between eggs, chicks, and bunnies! My hubby’s favorite kind of egg is poached and sadly, I’ve never tried making them at home. Your video makes it look super duper easy so guess what, I’m going to try it. Thanks for sharing!

  19. Nate April 4, 2017 @ 3:36 pm Reply

    I’ve been meaning to learn parched eggs forever…thanks for the timely blog! Great stuff. Can’t wait to try out your sauce as well.

  20. Steve April 5, 2017 @ 1:01 am Reply

    I totally agree with Gary Vineyard. Vinegar works, but my SO could not take the smell in the morning kitchen. Removing the whispy whites in a sieve is perfect. No swirl needed. I sieve an egg and the drop it into an egg cup. I can carefully and slowly slip the egg into the water from there.

    Simmer, don’t boil. I go 3 minutes, then flip with a slotted spoon and go one more minute. This lets me remove the egg upside down with the slotted spoon, blot the bottom with a paper towel, flip/guide it onto my muffin, and now the pretty side is up. Blot the top… done.

  21. Heather@WillSingForDessert April 5, 2017 @ 3:38 pm Reply

    One of my favorites! This is such a helpful post. These look delish!

  22. Tera Gigot April 9, 2017 @ 5:54 am Reply

    Anyone who starts with a great 90s reference has got me hooked :) I’ve always wanted to poach an egg, and now that I have these tips and clear instructions, I’m ready to try it! Thanks, Ali!

  23. Martha Jones April 10, 2017 @ 9:03 am Reply

    First of all, thank you for this series of posts on how to MAKE perfect EGGS . We love eggs in this house. So, I’m always looking for foolproof ways to make good ones. May I share a recipe for fast, easy, and most of all, delicious SCRAMBLED eggs? I learned the “secret” ingredient from Paula Deen’s Food Network show years ago. Our sons have special developmental needs and, because of it, are EXTREMELY PICKY eaters, but our oldest absolutely LOVES these scrambled eggs (with a squirt of ketchup on top ?). Mornings are pretty hectic around here, so we mix-up the ingredients the night before, cover, and put the bowl in the fridge, ready to go for the next morning.

    Break two eggs into a shallow, microwave-safe bowl sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

    Add two tablespoons of sour cream (you can use more or less to taste. My husband has used WAY more at times, when he wasn’t paying attention, LOL!) Reduced-fat sour cream works fine if you’re concerned about fat content. Mix the eggs and sour cream very well. I use an OXO Good Grips Egg Beater sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. That little handraulic mixer is one of our best kitchen gadget purchases ever!

    Tear two slices of American cheese into strips and place the pieces on top of the egg mixture. Or you can sprinkle whatever cheese you prefer on top. We’ve used shredded mild cheddar, mozzarella, even Asiago before. All were delicious.

    Pop it in the microwave on high for 90 seconds, remove, and stir well. If you have a finicky teenager, top with ketchup. And ENJOY

    • Ali August 5, 2017 @ 9:26 am

      This sounds delicious!! Thanks for the rec! :)

  24. Karissa April 20, 2017 @ 10:25 am Reply

    I’m so excited to try this out this weekend! Question – if you want to do more than one egg, can you make 2 at once, or should you make them one at a time! Thank you for all of your amazing recipes!

How To Make Poached Eggs (2024)

FAQs

How do you poach an egg step by step? ›

How to make poached eggs
  1. Pour boiling water into a shallow pan or frying pan, to a depth of about 3cm. Bring back to the boil then reduce to a simmer.
  2. Crack each egg into a. cup, then gently tip. ...
  3. Using medium eggs, simmer for: 2 minutes - soft. ...
  4. Carefully remove the poached egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately.

Do you need vinegar to poach eggs? ›

Adding a small amount of vinegar to the boiling water is a trick that some people use to help the egg whites come together quicker. It's completely optional and not even necessary, but if you do want to try it, stir one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar into the boiling water before you add the eggs.

Do you need to spin the water for poached eggs? ›

Add the egg: Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool. The swirling water will help prevent the white from "feathering," or spreading out in the pan. Let it poach: Turn off the heat, cover the pan and set your timer for 5 minutes.

How many minutes to poach an egg? ›

How long to poach an egg:
  1. 3 minutes for a completely runny yolk.
  2. 4 minutes for a slightly set yolk with a runny middle.
  3. 5 minutes for a firm yolk.

How much vinegar to poach eggs? ›

Pour 2 tablespoons of vinegar into the poaching water. Crack open eggs one at a time, into a small bowl. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce temperature. When water reaches a gentle simmer, pour egg into a ladle.

Why you should stop poaching eggs in boiling water? ›

If your water is at a boiling temperature when you add eggs in, it could cause the egg white to break apart, the Kitchn notes. Instead of a beautifully poached egg, you'd be left with just "wispy bits" of egg white strewn throughout your pot.

Is it better to poach or boil eggs? ›

Poaching is a more delicate method of cooking eggs compared to Boiled Eggs since they are cooked in water that is hot but not boiling. There is no need for extra oil or butter when poaching which makes this a lower-calorie method for preparing eggs.

How to poach eggs like a restaurant? ›

Transfer the egg to a small ramekin or bowl. Add one tablespoon of light-colored vinegar to the pot and stir to create a vortex. Pour the ramekin with the egg into the middle of the vortex and set a timer for 3 minutes. Once the egg is done, use a slotted spoon to remove the poached egg.

Do you put salt or vinegar in water for poached eggs? ›

Fill your pot at least 4 inches deep with water and bring to a gentle simmer. Add a generous pinch of salt and a little bit of vinegar. The salt helps season the eggs, and the vinegar helps the egg whites stay together while they poach.

Do you use boiling water to poach an egg in the microwave? ›

If you use water that was already boiled, a poached large egg takes about 45 seconds to cook in the microwave. This yields perfectly set whites, and luscious, runny yolks. Add another 15 seconds on to the time if you prefer a firm yolk.

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