It takes just six minutes to get firm whites and liquid yolks, every single time.
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Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated April 14, 2023
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Why It Works
- Using a slotted spoon to gently lower the eggs prevents them from cracking.
- Exactly six minutes is just enough cooking time for the perfect soft-boiled texture.
Perfect soft-boiled eggs require the right technique. We cooked dozens and dozens of eggs before arriving at this method, which delivers eggs with tender whites and liquid yolks every single time.
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July 2017
Recipe Details
Perfect Soft-Boiled Egg Recipe
Prep5 mins
Cook10 mins
Active5 mins
Total15 mins
Serves1to 6 servings
Ingredients
3 quarts (2.8L)water
1 to 6large eggs
Directions
Bring water to a gentle simmer in a medium pot. Gently lower eggs into water with a slotted spoon or strainer (do not drop eggs into water, as they might crack). Cook for exactly 6 minutes, then remove eggs with slotted spoon and serve.
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Special Equipment
Medium pot, slotted spoon
Read More
- Extra Large, Cage-Free, and More: How to Shop for Eggs
- The Food Lab: How to Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- The Secrets to Peeling Hard Boiled Eggs
- Sous-Vide Soft-Boiled Eggs
- Soft-Boiled Eggs for Ramen
- Singapore-Style Soft-Cooked Eggs With Kaya Jam and Toast
- Onsen Tamago (Japanese Soft-Cooked Egg With Soy Broth
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 12 | Calories |
| 1g | Fat |
| 0g | Carbs |
| 1g | Protein |
Show Full Nutrition Label
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| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1to 6 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 12 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 1g | 1% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 1% |
| Cholesterol 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium 31mg | 1% |
| Total Carbohydrate 0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 0g | |
| Protein 1g | |
| Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium 19mg | 1% |
| Iron 0mg | 1% |
| Potassium 12mg | 0% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
