Soft-boiled egg timer
The 6-minute soft-boiled egg
Six minutes in boiling water gives a large egg a fully set white and a warm, runny yolk – the classic egg for dipping toast soldiers. Lower the egg in gently with a spoon so it does not crack, then press start.
For a slightly thicker, jammy yolk choose 7 minutes. For a very runny yolk with a soft white, 5 minutes is enough. Small eggs need about 45 seconds less.
Peel it easily
When the alarm rings, put the egg in cold water for 30–60 seconds. It stops the yolk from cooking further and loosens the shell. Tap the wide end first, where the air pocket is.
Serving ideas
A 6-minute egg is perfect in an egg cup with buttered toast, on top of a bowl of ramen, or halved over asparagus and spinach. If you cook for several people who like their eggs differently, open the kitchen timer and run a separate named timer for each batch.
Questions
How long is a soft-boiled egg?
6 minutes for a large egg straight from the fridge, started in boiling water. Use 5 minutes for a runnier yolk and 7 for a jammy one.
Do I start timing when the water boils again?
Start timing as soon as the egg goes in. The water may stop boiling for a moment; that is already included in the time.
How long for a soft-boiled egg from room temperature?
About 5 minutes 15 seconds. Room temperature eggs heat through faster than cold ones.