How To

How to Boil an Egg

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(1081 Ratings)
Hard-boil an egg
Hard-boil an egg

Eggs are a rich source of protein and vitamins and are generally healthy to eat, unless you have a high cholesterol level.
You can eat eggs raw, boiled or cooked in a pan as scrambled eggs or an omelet. Boiling eggs is one of the easiest ways to prepare them; this eHow will provide instructions on how to boil an egg in six simple steps.

From Quick Guide: Incredible Eggs
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Place the raw egg in a saucepan.

  2. Step 2

    Run cold water into the saucepan until the water is 1 inch above the egg.

  3. Step 3

    Place the saucepan on a stove and cook over medium heat until the water begins to boil.

  4. Step 4

    Reduce the heat to low.

  5. Step 5

    Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes for soft-boiled eggs or 10 to 15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.

  6. Step 6

    Remove the egg with a spoon or ladle and let it cool slowly, or run cold water over it to cool it more quickly.

Tips & Warnings
  • Use hard-boiled eggs to make deviled eggs or egg salad sandwiches.
  • Don't over cook your eggs, it can cause a green ring to appear around the egg yolk because of the iron and sulfur in the egg. This will not affect the taste of the egg, but overcooking will hurt the protein quality.

Comments  

| View All 197 Comments

MyJB said

Flag This Comment

on 8/2/2009 clear instructions on boiling an egg.

kelsterg3 said

Flag This Comment

on 7/30/2009 This is a wonderful tip thanks!

knelson said

Flag This Comment

on 7/28/2009 interesting tip about the green ring and overcooking. thanks!

turtlebay said

Flag This Comment

on 7/27/2009 fresh eggs are hard to peel. less fresh eggs are eaiser so buy your eggs ahead of time

Flag This Comment

on 7/26/2009 FINALLY: For easy to peel eggs and no gray or green yolks. Poke fat end of eggs with a stick pin first. Bring 3/4 pot of water to a boil - NOW add eggs and bring to a boil again, about 30 sec. Turn off heat and cover. For hard boiled, let sit about 15 min. Rinse a little to cool down a bit. To peel: crack the top, bottom and one side. Shells will all come off easily every single time!

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

eHow Article: How to Boil an Egg

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Food & Drink
Bethenny Frankel,

Meet Bethenny Frankel eHow's Food & Drink Expert.

Get Free Food & Drink Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Food and Drink
eHow_eHow Food and Drink