How Long Does It Take to Boil Eggs? Soft and Hard-Boiled

How long does it take to boil eggs? A boiled egg is a staple food for many. It is such a simple food; however, it isn’t always easy to know how long to boil the egg. In this article, I’ll describe exactly how long it takes to boil an egg, hard-boiled or soft-boiled.

How long does it take for eggs to boil? See the below points for the estimated time to boil medium-sized eggs.

How long does it take for eggs to soft boil eggs:

  • 1 egg: 3-4 minutes
  • 2 eggs: 4 minutes
  • 3 eggs: 5-6 minutes
  • 4 eggs: 6-7 minutes
  • 6 eggs: 7-8 minutes
  • 12 eggs or more: 8-10 minutes, but it’s safer to boil them in batches of 4 or 6 to make sure they don’t get overcooked

How long does it take to hard boil eggs:

  • 1+ eggs: 10-15 minutes

The time it takes to boil the egg depends on how soft or hard you want the eggs to be.

Read on to learn more about how long it takes to boil eggs. We’ll take into consideration several factors, such as the amount of water, the size of the egg, the altitude, and even the shape of the pan, among others.

How Long Does It Take to Boil Eggs?

The preparation for boiling eggs is not complex at all. The simple steps include the following:

  1. Prepare a pot.
  2. Fill the pot with enough water.
  3. Put the eggs into the pot.
  4. Place the pot on the stove.
  5. Turn on the stove, keeping the flame high.
  6. Wait until the water boils.

As mentioned earlier, it takes about 3 to 10 minutes to soft boil an egg. A soft-boiled egg has a soft or slightly runny yolk.

A single hard-boiled egg takes about 10 to 15 minutes to boil.

How long does it take to boil a dozen eggs? It takes about 8-10 minutes to boil a dozen eggs; however, it’s safer to boil them in batches of 4 or 6 to make sure they don’t get overcooked.

How Long Does It Take to Soft Boil Eggs?

When we say soft-boiled eggs, they can either be uncooked or half-cooked. The yolks appear creamy, and the texture of the whites is custardy. Some people eat soft-boiled eggs straight right after peeling the shell off. Whereas, some people mix it with other dishes, such as rice, pasta, bread, and even stew.

how long does it take eggs to boil

So, how long does it take to soft boil an egg? Boiling time depends on how soft you want your soft-boiled eggs to be.

1. A Runny and Loose Egg

If you want the yolk to seem runny and the white loose, then boiling the egg for 4 minutes is just about enough.

2. A Runny Egg Yolk

Five minutes are enough for a runny yolk and not-so-loose egg white.

3. A Spreadable and Jammy Yolk

A spreadable and jammy egg yolk normally matches with bread. The boiling time should be approximately 7-8 minutes.

4. A Fudgy Yolk

If a soft-boiled egg has a fudgy yolk, it is semi-hard, and at the same time, semi-jammy. The egg must be boiled for at least 10 minutes to achieve a fudgy yolk.

Factors That Determine How Long It Takes to Soft Boil an Egg

1. The Size of the Eggs

The above-mentioned boiling time is applicable for medium-sized eggs. If your eggs are smaller, the boiling time should be shorter by several seconds. Whereas, if your eggs are larger, the boiling time must be longer by several seconds.

2. The Number of Eggs in the Pan

Normally, if you’re cooking one soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk and loose white, the boiling time must be about 4 minutes. The same boiling time may be applied for two eggs, but perhaps, you can add several seconds before getting them out of the pan.

If you’re boiling three eggs in one pan, boiling time must be adjusted to approximately a maximum of 6 minutes, whereas a maximum of 7 minutes must be allotted for four eggs. Six eggs in one pan should be boiled for at least 7 to 8 minutes, while 12 eggs or more should be approximately 8 to 10 minutes. However, boiling a maximum of four eggs at a time is recommended to ensure that they won’t get overcooked.

3. The Water Temperature

What is the recommended water temperature to achieve the desired results? It’s 190°F. Before submerging the eggs into your water-filled pan, wait for the water to simmer. And to ensure more precision, apply the cold water approach to halt the cooking process.

If the stove is in low flame, the chances are that the entire boiling process is slower. So, make sure that your stove is in high flame to allow the water to boil faster.

4. The Size of the Pan

Make sure that the eggs don’t cram inside the pan, as this might cause the eggshells to crack. Provide enough space so the eggs can move around. That is why there’s a recommendation of a maximum of four eggs in a standard size pan.

Peeling Method for Soft-Boiled Eggs

  • Handle the egg with care as it is more delicate than a hard-boiled egg.
  • Tap the eggshell on a cutting board or kitchen table.
  • Gently roll the egg until you see cracks forming.
  • Peel the eggshell back in a gentle manner to prevent the delicate structure from ripping.

How Long Does It Take to Hard Boil Eggs?

Similar to soft-boiled eggs, there are different types of hard-boiled eggs. There are several factors to consider and procedures to follow to ensure that you get the best results.

How long does it take for eggs to boil? Boiling time depends on how hard you want your hard-boiled eggs to be.

1. A Slightly Soft Egg Yolk

An egg that has a slightly soft and semi-creamy egg yolk is considered a hard-boiled egg. It is mostly cooked anyway. The boiling time for this type of hard-boiled egg is about 10 minutes. You normally see this type of hard-boiled egg mixed in ramen.

2. A Fully Hard-Boiled Egg

An egg that is fully cooked but not overcooked will absolutely turn out to be a hard-boiled egg. This type of egg is normally found in salads, such as vegetable salads, fruit salads, or potato salads. You can also use this type of egg when making egg sandwiches.

So, how long does it take to hard boil eggs? Making a fully hard-boiled egg usually takes 12 to 15 minutes.

how long does it take to hard boil a dozen eggs

We’ve answered the question, “How long does it take to boil eggs?”; next, let’s look at some of the factors to consider when cooking hard-boiled eggs.

Factors to Consider When Hard Boiling Eggs

1. The Size of the Eggs

The above-mentioned boiling time is only applicable for eggs that are medium in size. Smaller eggs mean shorter boiling time, while larger eggs mean longer boiling time. But, of course, it only differs by several seconds.

2. The Number of Eggs in the Pan

When you boil two or more eggs for 10 minutes at high flame, the chances are that they will turn out to be hard-boiled eggs. But expect the egg yolk to turn out somehow semi-creamy and slightly soft. It happens when you have more eggs in your pan. Your boiling time has to adjust.

So, if you are making fully hard-boiled eggs, make sure that you adjust your boiling time by several seconds. Perhaps, you can add a minute or two to the entire boiling process.

3. The Water Temperature

The ideal temperature is 212°F when cooking hard-boiled eggs. Before submerging the eggs into your water-filled pan, wait for the water to simmer. If your boiling time is set at 15 minutes, turn off your stove at least three minutes earlier. But don’t remove the eggs from the pan. Let them stay submerged in hot water until the water cools a bit. That way, your hard-boiled eggs will not get overcooked.

A stove in low flame can cook hard-boiled eggs, too. But the process will be way longer than cooking them at a water temperature of 212°F. So, it is best to apply the standard water temperature to achieve expected results.

4. The Size of the Pan

Similar to cooking soft-boiled eggs, the pan’s size also matters when making hard-boiled ones.

The pan must be big enough to allow the eggs to move around when the water boils. If the eggs are crammed inside the pan, the chances are that they will all crack. When this happens, not only will the eggs get deformed, but it is going to be difficult to separate the cracked shells from the egg itself.

That is why it’s recommended to boil eggs in batches, especially if you plan to cook more than four hard-boiled eggs.

Peeling Method for Hard-Boiled Eggs

Did you know that a 10-day old egg is easier to peel than a 5-day old egg, regardless of how your boiled egg is done? So, whether you are making a hard-boiled or soft-boiled egg, it is best to use an egg that is 7 to 10 days old to avoid the challenge of peeling it.

But, of course, if you badly need to boil eggs now and all you have is a dozen fresh ones, go ahead and boil them still. It’s absolutely fine! You can add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda to the water to increase its pH level. This technique will make egg peeling easier.

Health Benefits of Eating Boiled Eggs

A 50-gram hard-boiled egg is loaded with healthy fats, protein, and other nutrients. To be more specific, below is a list of its nutritional content:

  • Selenium: 15.4 mcg or 22% of the RDA
  • Phosphorus: 86 mg or 9% of the RDA
  • Pantothenic Acid or Vitamin B5: 7% of the RDA
  • Cobalamin or Vitamin B12: 9% of the RDA
  • Riboflavin or Vitamin B2: 15% of the RDA
  • Vitamin A: 6% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
  • Protein: 6.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 212 mg
  • Monounsaturated Fat: 2.0 g
  • Calories: 77
  • Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
  • Total Fat: 5.3 g
  • Carbs: 0.6 g

People on a strict diet eat hard-boiled eggs because it is a low-calorie food. You also get about 6 grams of lean protein in a single egg. It’s also an ideal source of protein as it is loaded with amino acids. The egg white mostly consists of protein, whereas the egg yolk is loaded with various nutrients.

Is It Safe to Eat an Over-Boiled Egg?

Conclusion – How Long Does It Take to Hard Boil Eggs or Soft Boil Eggs?

To recap, how long does it take to boil eggs? Below are the different boiling times for soft-boiled eggs:

  • 1 egg: 3-4 minutes
  • 2 eggs: 4 minutes
  • 3 eggs: 5-6 minutes
  • 4 eggs: 6-7 minutes
  • 6 eggs: 7-8 minutes
  • 12 eggs or more: 8-10 minutes, but it’s safer to boil them in batches of 4 or 6 to make sure they don’t get overcooked

For hard-boiled eggs, the estimated time is 10-15 minutes.

Boiling time varies depending on several factors. These factors include the number of eggs in the pan, the pan’s size, and the water temperature. Also, the boiling time depends on how cooked or uncooked you want the eggs to be.

Whichever way you want to boil eggs, the important thing is not to overcook them. That way, you’ll still get its complete nutrients and health benefits.

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