Learning how to make perfect eggs is something we get asked about A LOT. Fearless Fresh writer Steve Voser has some great advice on cooking eggs in almost every style you can imagine. Got a question about cooking eggs at home? Hop into the cooking support group on Facebook and get those questions answered!
If you’re intimidated by cooking eggs, you’re not alone. While they are a breakfast favorite all around the world (so good with ultimate pancakes!!) many home cooks cringe at the idea of poaching or scrambling eggs themselves. I’m going to change that. With good quality eggs, a few basic utensils, and solid technique, I’m positive even the noobiest cooking noobs can start dishing up delicious eggs from their kitchen.
Also, here’s something worth mentioning. If you find eggs too rich and a little upsetting to your stomach, try having a glass of orange juice on the side. Seriously — the acid cuts right through the fatty richness of the eggs, and helps settle your stomach. It’s surprisingly effective. It you’re looking for something extra special, check out this souped-up orange juice recipe with a floral kick.
How to Make Perfect Eggs, 4 Ways
Here’s my ultimate guide to scrambling, frying, boiling, and poaching eggs at home. Enjoy!
How to make perfect scrambled eggs
If your goal is learning how to make perfect eggs, scrambled eggs are a great place to start. They’re not only super easy, they’re delicious, too.
Scrambled eggs are a staple at my house. And, just like with fried eggs below, good technique is all you really need to cook smooth, delicious scrambled eggs at home. Here’s my favorite method for velvety scrambled eggs:
I know some people scramble their eggs in the pan as they cook, but I personally prefer to whisk my eggs in a separate bowl to ensure the egg white and yolk mix evenly. If you want to get SUPER evenly textured eggs, you can blend them with a stick blender, which will get rid of any stringy bits. I then season them with salt, pepper, and just a touch of cream (although milk works fine, too).
Again, I use a non-stick skillet for scrambled eggs, but this time on a low heat. I melt some butter in the pan, add my beaten eggs, and let them settle a little bit. Then, once they’ve just started to cook, I start moving them around the pan gently with a rubber spatula.
The key to perfect scrambled eggs is knowing when to take them off the heat. I like to turn off the heat when the eggs are still a little too runny and let them rest for about 1 minute. The residual heat from the pan will then finish off the eggs without overcooking them.
Pro tips:
- For extra creamy and smooth eggs, don’t use cream. Instead, add a bit of extra butter to the eggs when they’re about 3/4 cooked and continue stirring them gently.
- Always use a non-stick pan for scrambled eggs.
How to make perfect fried eggs ?
Fried eggs are humble yet super delicious. While they can be daunting for beginner cooks, there is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be able to cook up delicious fried eggs in your home kitchen. Here’s my dead-simple technique for the picture-perfect fried egg.
One of the most important aspects of cooking a nice fried egg is the temperature; if your pan is too hot, the egg will bubble and burn, and if it’s not warm enough the egg won’t cook evenly. I generally recommend cooking fried eggs on a medium heat with a nice knob of butter. The pan should be hot enough so that the egg white starts to set as soon as it hits the pan, but shouldn’t be so hot that the egg is boiling and bubbling.
Once I’ve seasoned my eggs with salt and pepper, I like to finish them off with a secret trick. I add just a few drops of water to the pan and cover it with a lid immediately. The steam from the water helps to finish off the egg whites while leaving you with a creamy, soft yolk.
Pro tips:
- Remember to use a non-stick pan for fried eggs.
- Season your eggs evenly with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings to enhance their natural flavor. Also try Tabasco sauce or a sprinkle of paprika for a bit of extra kick.
- Looking for the ultimate egg experience? Try topping your fried eggs with this creamy-tart avocado salsa. SO GOOD.
How to make perfect boiled eggs ?
Boiled eggs are almost as easy as scrambled eggs, and they’re portable! They should definitely be at the top of your list if you want to learn how to make perfect eggs.
Hard- and soft-boiled eggs are a great addition to salads and sandwiches but are equally delicious on their own. While they’re so simple to make, I still find a lot of home cooks (and even professional chefs) don’t really have a solid technique for making them. Here’s my full-proof method for simple, yet delicious boiled eggs:
I start my eggs off in cold water and bring them to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water has reached a rolling boil, I take them off the heat, cover the pan and let them sit until they’re cooked to my liking:
- 4-6 minutes for soft-boiled
- 8-10 minutes for medium boiled
- Roughly 14 minutes for hard-boiled — but be careful here. If you overcook them, the yolks will turn green.
Once the eggs are ready, I transfer them to an ice bath for at least 5-10 minutes, peel them, and voila. Perfect eggs!
Pro tips:
- Use older eggs for boiling. Fresh eggs are much harder to peel. (Like, ridiculously hard!)
- Always use a timer when boiling eggs. Overcooking them can make them rubbery and smell bad.
- Another option for great boiled eggs is to use your Instant Pot.
How to make perfect poached eggs
Poaching an egg is super daunting for most home cooks, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you’re using fresh eggs and follow a few simple guidelines, you can dish up perfectly poached eggs at home anytime. Here’s my technique for poaching the perfect egg:
I start by heating a big pot of water until it’s simmering. This is really key; you don’t want to poach an egg in a pot of boiling water, but you also want to make sure the water is hot enough to start cooking the egg immediately. Then I season my water with salt and a dash of vinegar, which helps the egg to settle quickly.
Next, I crack an egg into a small glass bowl. If I’m doing more than one egg, each gets its own bowl. I then stir the hot water with a spoon to create a whirlpool in the center of the pot. Finally, as the whirlpool starts to slow down I gently drop in my egg and let it cook for roughly 4 1/2 minutes.
Pro tips:
- Use your freshest eggs for poaching. Older eggs won’t keep their shape as well as fresh eggs.
- Pay close attention to the temperature of your water. It should be bubbling gently, not boiling.
Now that you know how to make perfect eggs, enjoy!
No matter how you like your eggs, you’ve now got the technique to make them perfectly. Sometimes it can take a little practice, but within two to three tries, you’ll have mastered the skill!