Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs

Here’s how to make soft boiled eggs! This cook time results in a golden runny yolk and firm whites every time. Perfect for breakfast or atop ramen.

Ahh, soft boiled eggs. Smooth and glossy whites, golden and jammy on the inside. They’re perfect on toast for breakfast, or atop a steaming bowl of ramen. How to perfect this elusive state where the egg is cooked with a gooey center? We’ve got answers. (PS If you’re looking for how long to hard boil eggs, go to Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs.)

How to soft boil eggs? Cook time 6 to 7 minutes.

The cooking method for the eggs is easy: the only hard part is trusting that they’re done! Since you can’t open an egg to find out, you’ll have to rely on faith for this one. The cook time for soft boiled eggs is 6 to 7 minutes. Use the lower time if you like your eggs extremely runny, the higher time for yolks that are just barely starting to set. Here’s what to do:

• Simmer a pan of water, to where the water is just quivering.
• Add the eggs and cook 6 to 7 minutes.
• Remove the eggs and place them in a bowl of ice water for 2 minutes. Then peel!

How to peel soft boiled eggs

After the hard-boiled eggs sit in the ice water, peel the ones you want to eat immediately. You can store leftover unpeeled eggs in the fridge for up to 2 days. Here are a few tips on how to peel eggs:

• Use the correct cook time (or try in the Instant Pot). Using the right soft boiled eggs cook time should also make them easy to peel. An Instant Pot also makes easy to peel eggs. Go to Instant Pot Soft Boiled Eggs.
• Gently tap the larger bottom end of the egg so that the shell crushes. Lightly tap the larger end of the egg so that the shell crushes. The bottom end of the egg has an air bubble, which makes it easier to crush the shell. Then start to peel off the shell. Continue peeling the shell until all the pieces are removed.

How long are soft boiled eggs good for?

Once you’ve made your eggs, can you store them for later? Good question. Soft boiled eggs last for about 2 days refrigerated with the shell on. They don’t save as long as hard boiled eggs, since the yolk is not fully cooked. We’d recommend making these “to order” since they’re best warm. But if desired, you can save leftovers in the fridge.

Egg nutrition

Sometimes they get a bad rap, but eggs are some of the most nutritious foods on the planet. What’s the nutritional break down? One egg has:

• 75 calories
• 7 grams of protein
• Lots of nutrients

Recent research has found that instead of avoiding eggs for cholesterol reasons, they can increase the good cholesterol the body needs. Eggs are an affordable and easy-to-eat source of high quality protein. They’re also especially helpful for vegetarian diets as a natural source of B12.

Recipes with soft boiled eggs

Once you’ve cooked up some soft boiled eggs, there are many ways to use them! Here are a few of our favorite ways to serve them:

• Toast: Serve up your eggs with toast from our Homemade Bread recipe.
• Potato hash: Try this colorful Two potato hash and top with a runny egg.
• Toast soldiers: Try them with these Cheese-Fried Toast Soldiers, little sticks of cheesy goodness.
• Avocado toast: Smash avocado onto toast for a filling breakfast or lunch.
• Ramen: What’s a good ramen without a soft boiled egg? Try our Miso Ramen, Vegetarian Ramen, or Instant Pot Ramen.

More ways to cook ’em? Try all the ways to cook eggs, like fried, sunny side up, over easy, over medium, and over hard.

This soft boiled eggs recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free.

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More with eggs

Are you a fan of these protein-packed powerhouses? Here are a few more of our favorite egg resources:

• Easy Deviled Eggs These easy deviled eggs are simply classic and taste amazing! They use both Greek yogurt and mayo to make the perfect flavor.
• 10 Things to Make with Hard Boiled Eggs Here are all the best things to make once you’ve boiled a bunch.
• Fluffy Scrambled Eggs with Goat Cheese The best method! Makes a perfectly fluffy breakfast scramble.