How long should you boil an egg?

Did you know that just one minute can change the texture of an egg yolk? If you want your egg cooked exactly the way you like it the boiling time is very important. Boiling an egg may seem like a simple task but getting the perfect yolk depends on timing.

A difference of just one or two minutes can change the yolk from runny and soft to creamy jam like or completely firm.

4 Minutes runny yolk

Boil the egg for about 4 minutes if you like a very soft and runny yolk. At this stage the egg white is lightly cooked while the yolk remains mostly liquid.

5 Minutes soft and creamy

After around 5 minutes, the egg white becomes fully cooked while the yolk stays thick, soft and creamy. This is a good choice for people who enjoy a soft but slightly thicker yolk.

6 Minutes custard like yolk

At 6 minutes the yolk starts becoming firmer around the edges while the center remains soft and creamy. The texture is similar to a thick custard.

8 Minutes jammy yolk

Boiling an egg for around 8 minutes makes most of the yolk firm while the center can still remain moist and slightly jam like.  It offers a texture between a soft boiled and hard boiled egg.

10 minutes fully cooked egg

After about 10 minutes both the white and yolk are well cooked. The yolk becomes firm making this timing suitable for people who prefer a fully cooked egg.

12 Minutes firm and dry yolk

If you boil the egg for around 12 minutes the yolk becomes completely firm and drier with a light yellow color.  This type of egg works well for salads sandwiches and egg based spreads.

What else affects boiling time?

The cooking time is not the only factor that matters.  The size of the egg its starting temperature and how strongly the water is boiling can also affect the final result.

For more consistent results try to use eggs of a similar size and keep your cooking method and timing the same each time.

The perfect boiling time depends on you

There is no single “correct” time for boiling an egg. It simply depends on the texture you prefer. From 4 to 12 minutes the yolk can change from almost completely liquid to fully firm. So keeping an eye on the clock is the easiest way to get your egg just the way you like it.