11 Ways to Boil Soft-Boiled Eggs Deliciously, Creamily, Easy to Make at Home

Not everyone knows how to boil soft-boiled eggs to achieve the perfect creamy yolk, light texture, and delicious taste they desire. Soft-boiled eggs are not only a great option for a weight-loss breakfast but also provide a fantastic culinary experience while supplying essential nutrients to the body. Check out Mytour Blog for tips on boiling soft-boiled eggs.

Benefits of Eating Soft-Boiled Eggs

With its soft and creamy yolk, soft-boiled eggs are a nutritious and easy-to-eat dish suitable for both adults and children. Soft-boiled eggs provide essential nutrients for the body, promoting efficient bodily functions.

Especially, soft-boiled eggs are rich in protein, providing energy for the body, enhancing health, and muscle development. Moreover, egg yolks also contain plenty of unsaturated fats that promote cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Furthermore, enjoying soft-boiled eggs helps improve skin, hair, and nails thanks to the abundance of vitamins and minerals in eggs.

How Long to Boil Soft-Boiled Eggs for a Creamy Yolk?

To achieve a creamy, delicious yolk when boiling chicken or duck eggs, the first thing you need to do is to master the boiling time and temperature. Boiling for a maximum of 12 minutes will result in fully solidified egg yolks. Below are some time milestones you can refer to for boiling eggs to achieve the desired consistency. Boil from when the water is boiling:

• 3 minutes: Eggs with runny yolks
• 5 minutes: Eggs with slightly thickened yolks
• 7 minutes: Eggs with 70% cooked yolks
• 9 minutes: Eggs with 40% cooked yolks
• 11 minutes: Eggs with 20% cooked yolks.

Thus, the optimal delicious state of soft-boiled eggs is boiling for 4-5 minutes, resulting in a soft runny yolk, or boiling for 5-6 minutes for a firm creamy yolk.

However, note that the above times may vary slightly depending on the size and type of eggs you use. Larger eggs with thicker shells will require longer boiling times. You can boil for a few minutes and test if the yolks have reached the desired consistency. If not, boil for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Note: The boiling process should be done over medium heat to avoid overcooking the egg yolks.

Tips and Techniques for Delicious Soft-Boiled Eggs

Before you embark on any method of soft-boiling eggs, acquaint yourself with the following tips and techniques. Combining these tips and techniques with various boiling methods will help you achieve perfection with your soft-boiled eggs.

• Egg Freshness: The freshness of the egg can affect the outcome of boiled eggs. Fresher eggs are harder to peel compared to older ones. Therefore, if you plan to boil eggs for easy peeling, use eggs that have been purchased a few days in advance.
• Bring Water to a Boil Before Adding Eggs: Some people believe that bringing water to a boil before adding eggs helps achieve the desired runny yolk consistency.
• Ice Bath After Boiling: After boiling eggs, soaking them in ice water makes them easier to peel and keeps the egg yolk at a beautiful softness.
• Gently Tap Eggs Before Boiling: Gently tapping eggs before boiling can help center the egg yolk after cooking, resulting in a perfect soft-boiled egg shape.
• Consider Boiling Time: The boiling time of eggs depends on the size and type of egg. Boiling times can range from 3 to 11 minutes depending on the desired yolk consistency.

Secrets to Boiling Soft-Boiled Eggs Without Fishy Odor

Boiling eggs to ensure the yolks don't develop a fishy odor demands careful attention and precision in the cooking process. Here are some secrets:

• Choose Fresh Eggs: Fresh eggs minimize the risk of developing a fishy odor. Before boiling, test the eggs by placing them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom. In contrast, older eggs will float to the surface.
• Boil at the Right Temperature: Cooking temperature affects the taste of eggs. If eggs are boiled at too high a temperature, the yolks may become fishy. To avoid this, boil eggs at a moderate temperature and ensure the water remains at a gentle simmer.
• Ice Bath After Boiling: Immediately after boiling, immerse the eggs in cold water. This not only makes the eggs easier to peel but also prevents chemical reactions that can cause the yolks to turn green and develop a fishy odor.
• Avoid Overcooking: Overcooking eggs can cause the yolks to become discolored and develop a fishy odor. The boiling time for soft-boiled eggs should be between 3 and 11 minutes depending on the desired level of doneness.

How to Boil Soft-Boiled Eggs for Various Egg Types 

Soft-boiled eggs are eggs that are not fully cooked, suitable for both snacks and main dishes. Eggs contain plenty of protein, fats, various vitamins, and minerals beneficial for health. Additionally, soft-boiled eggs contain zeaxanthin and lutein, which help prevent eye-related diseases. However, different types of eggs require different boiling times and methods. Specifically:

How to Boil Duck and Chicken Soft-Boiled Eggs

Ingredients:

• 2 duck or chicken eggs.
• Boiling pot.
• A bowl of cold water with ice cubes.

Steps to Follow:

• Step 1: Wash the eggs with clean water.
• Step 2: Fill a pot with water and place it on the stove (ensure the water covers ⅔ of the eggs).
• Step 3: Once the water is boiling, add the washed eggs and boil for about 5 minutes for soft-boiled eggs (Note: If the eggs are refrigerated, boil for an additional 30 seconds).
• Step 4: After 5 minutes, remove the boiled eggs and immediately place them in a bowl of cold water with ice cubes. Let them sit for about 3 minutes to facilitate easy peeling.

With these simple steps, you'll have delicious, creamy soft-boiled chicken or duck eggs that are incredibly addictive.

How to Boil Quail Eggs with Runny Yolks

Quail eggs, when soft-boiled, are equally delicious and creamy as chicken eggs. Here's how to do it:

• 10 regular quail eggs.
• A saucepan.
• 1 bowl of cold water with ice cubes.

Steps to Follow: 

• Step 1: Gently wash the quail eggs with water.
• Step 2: Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil.
• Step 3: Once the water is boiling, add the washed quail eggs and boil for about 1 minute.
• Step 4: Transfer the boiled quail eggs to a bowl of cold water with ice cubes to facilitate peeling.

One thing to note is that quail eggs with runny yolks are very small and delicate, so you need to peel them very gently to avoid cracking. You can eat them immediately or soak them in soy sauce to enhance the flavor.

How to Boil Goose Eggs with Runny Yolks

Goose eggs are larger than chicken, duck, or quail eggs. Therefore, the boiling time for goose eggs is longer than other types of eggs.

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 goose egg.
• Saucepan.
• 1 bowl of cold water with ice cubes.

Steps to Follow:

• Step 1: Rinse the goose egg with clean water.
• Step 2: Place the egg in a saucepan, cover it with water until it covers ⅔ of the egg, and bring it to a boil. Once the water boils, add a pinch of salt to make it easier to peel.
• Step 3: Allow about 9 minutes for the egg to cook to the desired level of doneness.
• Step 4: Once the egg is cooked, immediately transfer it to a bowl of cold water with ice cubes for about 3 minutes. Then, peel and enjoy.

Goose eggs contain a plethora of vitamins and minerals beneficial for health, particularly for pregnant women. Avoid overcooking goose eggs as it may deplete their nutritional value.

Delicious, Tender, and Soft-Boiled Peach Blossom Eggs

Below, we'll explore the Japanese method of boiling peach blossom eggs, an incredibly simple yet effective way to achieve tender and delicious eggs.

1. Japanese-Style Soft-Boiled Peach Blossom Eggs

This method utilizes the natural cooling of water after turning off the heat to incubate the eggs, resulting in peach blossom eggs with characteristic creamy yolks.

• Step 1: First, bring about 1 liter of water to a boil in a large pot. When the water is vigorously boiling, add 200ml of cold water to the pot to lower the water temperature.
• Step 2: Next, turn off the heat and place the eggs into the pot, then cover with a lid. Let the eggs steep in the hot water for 17-20 minutes.
• Step 3: Finally, prepare a bowl of ice water. After steeping the eggs, quickly pour them out of the pot into the bowl of ice water. Wait for about 1 minute, the eggs will cool down, and you can start peeling them to enjoy.

This method will help you achieve peach blossom eggs with characteristic creamy yolks, Japanese-style. Remember, boiling peach blossom eggs requires patience and precision in each step.

2. Boiling Peach Blossom Eggs with Rapid Boil Kettle

If you want to boil peach blossom eggs quickly and conveniently, using a rapid boil kettle is the perfect choice. Let's explore how to do it.

• Step 1: First, clean the eggs and the rapid boil kettle before using. This is crucial to ensure food hygiene and avoid bacteria and dirt.
• Step 2: Next, place each egg into the kettle. Then, pour water into the kettle so that the water completely covers the surface of the eggs. If you pour too little water, the eggs may not cook evenly.
• Step 3: Finally, switch on the rapid boil kettle. When the water starts boiling, wait for about 4-5 minutes for the eggs to firm up and create the peach blossom yolks.

With this method, you'll get delicious, creamy peach blossom eggs in just a few minutes. Simple and convenient, isn't it?

3. Boiling Peach Blossom Eggs in Cold Water

Boiling peach blossom eggs in cold water is an extremely simple and easy method. Let's explore the detailed steps.

• Step 1: Firstly, place the eggs in a pot and pour cold water over them until the eggs are completely submerged. Ensuring that the eggs are fully submerged in water helps them cook evenly and prevents them from cracking.
• Step 2: Next, place the pot on the stove and turn on the heat. Boil the water in the pot until it reaches a boil. Once the water starts boiling, set a timer and boil the eggs for 6 minutes.
• Step 3: Finally, after boiling, remove the eggs and soak them in cold water for 2-3 minutes. This not only makes it easier to peel the eggs but also helps maintain the shape of the eggs, preventing them from becoming misshapen after peeling.

Boiling peach blossom eggs in cold water will give you delicious and tender eggs without requiring too much time and effort.

4. Boiling Peach Blossom Eggs with an Induction Cooker

The induction cooker is becoming an indispensable appliance in every household due to its ability to cook quickly and save energy. Here's a detailed guide on how to boil peach blossom eggs using an induction cooker.

• Step 1: First, place the eggs and water in a pot, then place it on the induction cooker. Set the temperature to 2000 degrees Celsius or the Auto mode and heat until the water starts boiling.
• Step 2: Once the water boils, continue heating at this temperature for an additional 4-5 minutes. This time helps the egg whites to fully solidify, creating peach blossom eggs with a tender and delicious yolk.
• Step 3: Finally, remove the eggs and place them in a bowl of ice water for 2-3 minutes. The ice water will quickly cool them down, making it easier to peel and maintaining their beautiful shape.

Boiling peach blossom eggs with an induction cooker is an incredibly quick and convenient method. Try using this approach to get delicious and enticing peach blossom eggs!

5. Cooking Peach Blossom Eggs with an Electric Rice Cooker

An electric rice cooker is not only used for cooking rice but also for boiling peach blossom eggs with the following simple steps:

• Step 1: Firstly, clean the eggs before putting them into the electric rice cooker for boiling. Ensuring food hygiene is an important step to have a delicious and safe meal.
• Step 2: Next, pour water into the electric rice cooker so that it covers about half of the height of the eggs. Cover the cooker and switch to the cooking mode. When the cooker switches to the keep-warm mode, turn it off and remove the eggs.
• Step 3: Lastly, soak the eggs in cold water for about 2-3 minutes, then peel and enjoy.

Cooking peach blossom eggs with an electric rice cooker helps you save time and effort while still ensuring the delicious and tender texture of the peach blossom eggs.

6. Microwave Boiled Eggs with Peach Lining

While microwaves are not typically recommended for boiling eggs, with the right approach, you can safely and easily microwave boiled eggs with peach lining. Here's how:

• Step 1: Start by brushing a thin layer of cooking oil onto a plate. The oil will prevent the eggs from sticking to the plate while boiling.

Step 2: Next, turn on high heat and bring to a rolling boil. For this process, you should boil for about 4 minutes.

11. Technique for Poaching Intact Poached Eggs

If you want to poach poached eggs in boiling water, you need a bit of finesse. To poach eggs in boiling water and get intact poached eggs without them breaking or sticking to the pot, use the swirling technique.

Preparation: Crack the egg into a small bowl for safety instead of directly into the water.

• Step 1: Bring a pot of water to a boil with just enough water. When boiling, add a bit of white vinegar, salt, and a teaspoon of cooking oil.

Poached eggs are not only quick and delicious but also ensure the beauty of the egg whites remains intact. Once one is done, simply scoop it out and repeat the steps for the next poached egg.

Knowing how to poach eggs not only enhances your cooking skills but also brings health benefits due to the abundant nutrients in eggs. Poached eggs have a special flavor, are tender, and delicious, suitable for various dishes from simple to complex.

Poached eggs are both quick and delicious, yet simple (Source: Internet)

Tip for Choosing Fresh and Delicious Eggs

To make delicious poached eggs, in addition to cooking them using the methods mentioned above, you also need to have fresh and high-quality eggs. Mytour will guide you with some tips for choosing and buying fresh and delicious eggs as follows:

• For industrial chicken eggs, choose eggs with a fresh, uniform dark orange color and no brown spots.
• Fresh chicken eggs have a slightly rough texture when touched, a gritty surface, and a white layer on the outside. Additionally, when held up to light, you can clearly see the two egg whites and the yolk.
• You can also shake the egg next to your ear to distinguish. If you don't hear any noise, it's a fresh egg, whereas louder noise indicates older eggs that should not be purchased.
• When placed in water, fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lie horizontally, while older eggs will float and stand upright or tilt slightly.

Choose eggs with a uniform dark orange color and no brown spots (Source: Internet)

Frequently Asked Questions

What Temperature to Boil Poached Eggs?

With the various boiling methods mentioned above, you can actively step into the kitchen and make delicious, creamy poached eggs. The ideal temperature for boiling eggs is typically 100 degrees Celsius, the boiling point of water.

How Long to Boil Poached Eggs?

During the boiling process, the condition of the eggs will gradually change over time. Between the 5th and 8th minutes, the eggs will have poached yolks. Depending on taste preferences, you can adjust the timing accordingly.

How Long to Boil Duck Poached Eggs?

For duck eggs, boil them in boiling water for about 6 - 8 minutes to achieve poached yolks. Besides, you can also try various poaching methods as Mytour has instructed to create a delicious, nutritious, and creamy dish.

Furthermore, don't hesitate to be creative and experiment with new poaching techniques. You may discover a completely new and unique method, bringing exciting culinary experiences to your family meals. Try poaching eggs your way and enjoy the creamy, delicious flavor of perfectly cooked egg yolks. Don't forget to follow Mytour for more useful new recipes.

Some Commonly Asked Questions

Is Eating Duck Poached Eggs Safe?

Duck poached eggs can be safe to eat if properly handled. However, like all egg products, you need to ensure they are thoroughly cooked.
Nevertheless, consuming duck poached eggs should not be too frequent as they contain high sodium levels, which may not be good for cardiovascular health if consumed excessively. Additionally, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor before adding duck poached eggs to your diet.
On the other hand, you need to make sure that the duck poached eggs you purchase come from a reliable source and are handled hygienically to avoid the risk of contamination.

How Many Calories in Poached Eggs?

The calorie content in a poached egg depends on the size and type of egg. Here is a rough estimate:
Large chicken poached egg (about 50 grams): Approximately 70 - 80 calories.
Duck poached egg: Approximately 130 - 140 calories.
Note that this is only an estimate, and actual values may vary depending on various factors.