Perfectly Boiled Eggs: Foolproof Method for Beginners (Hard & Soft Boiled)
Perfectly Boiled Eggs: Foolproof Method for Beginners (Hard & Soft Boiled)
Kim Jin-ok’s Culinary Tips: The Ultimate Guide to Boiling Eggs for Beginners
Hello everyone! Today, I’m excited to share my detailed method for boiling eggs, a common question many of you have asked. Recently, my high school senior son asked, ‘Mom, how do you boil eggs?’ When I asked why, he replied, ‘So I can help you out by boiling eggs when you’re busy.’ My heart melted! They say bragging about your children is foolish, but today I feel like embracing that! 😊 While most people might think they know how to boil an egg, today I’m explaining it step-by-step for beginners like my son, making it incredibly easy. The first secret to delicious boiled eggs is using fresh eggs! If eggs aren’t fresh, they won’t peel easily even if boiled perfectly. Please keep this in mind!
Ingredients- Fresh Eggs
- 1 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1/3 Tbsp Salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. Gently place the eggs in a pot and fill it with enough water to cover them completely. Add 1/3 Tbsp of salt and 1 Tbsp of vinegar.
💡 **Tip:** If your eggs are straight from the refrigerator, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before boiling. This helps them cook more evenly and reduces the risk of cracking.
* **Why add salt:** Salt helps the eggshells peel off more easily after boiling.
* **Why add vinegar:** If an eggshell cracks during boiling, vinegar helps the egg white coagulate quickly, preventing it from leaking out and making a mess. (Honestly, if your eggs are very fresh, they will peel well even without salt and vinegar!)
Step 2
2. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the eggs cook for 14 to 15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. This timing is perfect for a fully cooked yolk.
Immediately after removing the eggs from the hot water, rinse them under cold running water. Then, fill the pot with cold water again and submerge the boiled eggs. Let them cool down completely until they are no longer hot to the touch. Once cooled, you can easily peel and enjoy your perfectly boiled eggs.
🥚 **For Soft-Boiled Eggs:** If you prefer a softer yolk, reduce the boiling time to just 7 minutes after lowering the heat.
Step 3
3. **Recommended Method for Larger Batches (Using a Steamer):** While the above method is great for a few eggs, using a steamer is much more efficient when you need to boil a larger quantity.
Carefully arrange the eggs in the steamer basket, ensuring they don’t crack. Add water to the pot below, place the steamer basket inside, and cover with a lid. Start on high heat, and once the water boils, reduce to medium heat and steam for 14 to 15 minutes. Just like the boiled eggs, rinse the steamed eggs under cold water, then place them in a pot filled with cold water to cool completely. Waiting until they are no longer hot will make peeling much easier.
