Learn How To Poach Eggs with a foolproof method that makes perfect poached eggs every single time! Poaching eggs with perfectly creamy, runny yolks and tight, firm and delicate whites is easier than you think!
I absolutely love having eggs for breakfast, brunch and even dinner. Some of my other favorite breakfast egg recipes are these Breakfast Egg Muffins and this Asparagus Frittata. Both dishes are low-carb and packed with protein.
Easy Poach Egg Recipe
Poached eggs are not only delicious but also a healthier way to cook eggs. Poaching is easy; however, most people don’t usually feel comfortable making poached eggs at home, instead they usually only eat them when going to a restaurant.
Poaching eggs in water is a very simple task and here you’ll find how to poach eggs like a pro by simply following a few tips and techniques. There are two techniques that produce perfect poached eggs. The difference between them comes down to appearance.
- Straining the eggs in a fine mesh strainer produces perfectly cooked, beautiful looking eggs just like the ones at fancy restaurants. A sieve strains out some of the thinner whites that produces white wispies.
- Without straining the eggs first, you get perfectly cooked eggs that aren’t as great looking. This is the way I prepare my eggs for a quick meal.
What Is Poaching Anyway?
To poach is to cook something in a small amount of simmering liquid, like water. This is a moist heat cooking method and the temperature of the liquid is as important as what you are poaching.
Tips for Perfect Poached Eggs Every Time
- Use Fresh Eggs, fresh eggs hold their shape better. Egg whites from older eggs start to thin out producing white fringe-like strands or wisps. The yolks are also more prone to breakage as the chalazae anchoring the yolk weakens with age. Chalaze is the rope-like strands of egg white which holds the yolk in its place.
- Use Simmering Water, maintain a steady water temperature between 180 and 190°F (82 and 88°C). Simmering water has small bubbles rising from the bottom of the pot and occasionally break the surface, unlike boiling water where bubbles rise vigorously from the bottom of the pot and continually break the surface.
- Add Vinegar and Salt to the Poaching Water, vinegar helps the eggs cook a bit faster and with better texture. Salt adds flavor from the very beginning. Both together are a must (read more below).
- Strain the Eggs, if you prefer restaurant-style perfect looking eggs, straining is a must as it will keep white wisps to a minimum.
- Crack the Eggs In a Small Cup or Ramekin, Instead of dropping them directly into the simmering water.
Must-Do’s to Poach an Egg Perfectly
Here are a few tips to achieve perfect poached eggs:
Egg Size and Freshness
You can poach eggs of any size. As for freshness, the fresher the egg the better of course! As mentioned above, the structure of the egg whites changes with time.
In fresh eggs, the whites are thick, tight and compact when cooked. As the egg ages the whites get looser and thinner. This is hardly noticeable in some preparations like scrambled eggs and hard boiled eggs.
So unless you have chickens running around in your back yard laying eggs daily, how do you know if your eggs are fresh?
- First, check the numbers on one side of the carton. Don’t go by the “sell by date”, instead check the 3-digits number. This is the Julian date or the date when the eggs were packed. You can read more about Understanding Dates on Cartons which will tell you everything you need to know.
- You can do a quick test at home by putting an egg in plain fresh cold water (don’t add salt!). Older eggs tend to float towards the surface. All eggs have a small air cell that forms as the egg cools after being laid. As the egg ages, the porous shells absorb air and the small cell gets larger. Keep in mind that in most cases an old egg doesn’t mean a bad egg.
Right Water Temperature For Poaching Eggs
Simmering water is key for success! Keep the water between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit (82 and 88°C). Using a kitchen thermometer to keep a steady temperature is very helpful.
The water should not be boiling. Boiling water has agitated big bubbles that will break up the delicate eggs.
Do You Need Vinegar To Poach An Egg?
The short answer is yes! Vinegar sets the egg whites while keeping them tender. Also, the addition of vinegar to the poaching water helps set the egg whites quicker preventing the yolks from overcooking.
A very small amount of vinegar won’t work and too much vinegar makes the eggs taste sour. To solve this problem, salt is also added to the water. Like vinegar, salt sets the proteins in eggs. A combination of both, vinegar and salt, are added to the cooking water.
Why Do You Put Vinegar In The Water To Poach An Egg?
Vinegar helps the egg whites set while keeping them tender. If you don’t add vinegar to the poaching water, the eggs may take longer to cook which may result in a perfectly cooked egg white and an overcooked yolk.
How Much Vinegar Do You Put In The Water For Poached Eggs?
To poach an egg, I add 2 teaspoons of vinegar and a teaspoon of salt to the cooking water. Both ingredients help set the protein in the eggs. Vinegar alone works but, the amount required usually results in sour tasting eggs.
Strain The Eggs
For the best looking poached eggs, strain the eggs in a fine mesh strainer to get rid of the thinner, watery part of the whites. This keeps those thin white strands to a minimum.
If you have access to freshly laid eggs, this step is not necessary.
Using A Small Cup Or Ramekin
Cracking the egg in a cup or ramekin before adding it to the simmering water is very helpful. It allows you to drop the egg in the water gently and in one single stroke. It also helps to make sure the yolk is intact and not broken and that there are no broken shells with the egg.
How To Poach Eggs
For detailed instructions on both the Straining and the Quick method, check the printable recipe card below.
- Strain the Egg: Set a small fine-mesh sieve on top of a bowl. Crack the egg into the sieve and gently swirl the egg to allow the thinner part of the white drain out.
- Use a Small Cup or Ramekin: Transfer the strained egg to a small bowl or ramekin.
- Prepare the Water: Add enough water to come 2 inches up the side of a pot or skillet. Add the salt and vinegar and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Whirlpool Spin: Use the handle of a spatula or spoon to quickly stir the water in one direction until it’s smoothly spinning around (like a whirlpool).
- Poach: Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool by tilting the cup or ramekin’s lip into the water. Cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes
- Remove and Serve: Once done, remove the egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. If preferred, you can drain the egg on a plate lined with paper towels.
How Long to Poach An Egg
If you like your eggs to have a runny yolk and firm egg whites, poach the egg for 3-4 minutes. Adjust the time depending on your preferred doneness. Usually regular large eggs don’t need any more than 5 minutes of poaching, any longer will make the eggs too firm and a bit rubbery.
How Do You Know When Poached Eggs Are Done?
You know that the poached egg is done and perfectly cooked when the egg whites closest to the yolk are set and become opaque. The surface of the egg yolk will also look whitish and opaque.
How Long Must You Poach An Egg to Have to Soft Yolk?
For firm egg whites and a soft runny yolk, you need to poach the egg for 3 minutes. You can go up to 3.5 minutes.
How Long Does It Take to Poach An Egg to Medium?
To poach an egg to medium, poach the egg for 4 to 5 minutes.
How Do You Poach An Egg In Boiling Water?
Technically, you don’t poach eggs in boiling water. The water should be simmering so the delicate egg cooks without breaking apart from the vigor of boiling water’s bubbles breaking the surface. Refer to how to poach eggs above or follow the specific instruction in the recipe card.
Can You Poach Eggs Ahead of Time? How to Store and Reheat Poached Eggs
Absolutely! After poaching the egg(s), transfer it to an ice bath. Once the egg(s) is completely chilled, transfer it to a sealable container and top it with cold water. Cover and store in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
To reheat a poached egg(s), add boiling water to a bowl. Add the egg(s) and submerge it for 20 to 30 seconds or until warmed through.
Can You Poach Eggs In Large Batches?
Absolutely! You can poach 6 eggs at a time (8 if you have a large enough pot and steamer.
- To poach eggs in a batch, strain the eggs individually and place them together in a bowl.
- Bring a large pot of water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of salt to simmer. Place a steamer basket insert inside the pot.
- Carefully tip the eggs into the basket, trying to drop them in one at a time. The closer you get to the surface of the water the better.
- After about 2 minutes, gently flip the eggs with a slotted spoon or spatula. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until the egg whites are fully set and the yolks are still tender. Carefully lift the insert basket to remove the eggs.
Do You Need To Do Create A Whirlpool To Poach Eggs?
No. A whirlpool or water vortex is not a requirement to poach eggs. It only helps to encase the egg into its own whites. You can just drop the egg into the water and with a spoon stir the water gently in a circular motion. It will pretty much do the same thing as creating a whirlpool.
How To Serve Easy Poached Eggs
Poached eggs can be served on top of toast, avocado toasts, salads, ramen bowls, lentils, Potatoes and Chorizo Hash, Crispy Skillet Potatoes, and steamed rice. One of my favorite ways to eat poached eggs is in this Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict.
Tips For the Perfect Poached Egg
How Long To poach an Egg?
- For soft: 3 minutes for soft egg whites and a very runny yolk. You can go up to 3.5 minutes.
- For medium: 4 to 5 minutes for perfectly set soft egg whites and a runny yolk with creamy edges.
- Well done: Poach your egg for 6 minutes for firm whites and a set but creamy yolk (not runny).
Take A look At Some Of Our Other Easy Step By Step Tutorials:
- How To Cook Artichokes
- How To Blanch Green Beans
- How To Cook Asparagus
- How To Cook Lentils
- How To Make Tortilla Chips
Easy Poached Eggs
Ingredients
- 1 large egg, chilled
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar (distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
Instructions
Straining Method:
- If your eggs are fresh, skip this step. Set a small fine-mesh sieve on top of a bowl. Crack the egg into the sieve and gently swirl the egg to allow the thinner part of the white drain out. If you prefer, allow the egg to sit for about 4 minutes undisturbed until most of the thin egg white drains out. Transfer the strained egg to a small bowl or ramekin.
- Add enough water to come 2 inches up the side of a pot or skillet. Add the salt and vinegar and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Once the water reaches a simmer with just a few bubbles breaking the surface, reduce the heat to medium-low. Use the handle of a spatula or spoon to quickly stir the water in one direction until it’s smoothly spinning around (like a whirlpool).
- Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool by tilting the cup or ramekin’s lip into the water. The swirling water will help prevent the white from spreading out in the pan. Allow to cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes (depending on the temperature of the water and size of the egg)
- Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. If you prefer draining the eggs (not necessary), you can transfer the poached egg to a plate lined with paper towels. Don’t keep the egg on the paper towel for any longer than 5 minutes to prevent the paper from sticking to the egg.
Quick and Easy Method:
- Add enough water to come 2 inches up the side of a pot or skillet. Add the salt and vinegar and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, crack the egg into a small cup or ramekin.
- Once the water reaches a simmer with just a few bubbles breaking the surface, reduce the heat to medium-low.
- *You can skip this step, if preferred, and simply drop the eggs into the simmering water* – Use the handle of a spatula or spoon to quickly stir the water in one direction until it’s smoothly spinning around (like a whirlpool).
- Carefully drop the egg into the center of the pot by tilting the cup or ramekin’s lip into the water and allow it to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes (depending on the temperature of the water and size of the egg).
- Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. If you prefer draining the eggs (not necessary), you can transfer the poached eggs to a plate lined with paper towels. Don’t keep the egg on the paper towel for any longer than 5 minutes to prevent the paper from sticking to the egg.
Poaching Eggs Ahead of Time:
- Transfer the poached egg(s) to an ice bath. Once the egg(s) is chilled, you can transfer it to a sealable container and top it off with cold water. Cover and store in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
- To reheat, add boiling water to a bowl, then add the cold poached egg(s) and submerge for 20-30 seconds or until warmed through.
Poaching A Big Batch of Eggs (6 eggs at once)
- Strain the eggs (check instructions above). Transfer the strained eggs to a bowl.
- Bring a large pot of water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of salt to simmer. Place a steamer basket insert inside the pot.
- Carefully tip the eggs into the basket, trying to drop them in one at a time. The closer you get to the surface of the water the better. The eggs won’t stick together unless one of the yolks breaks as that egg may attach to another one.
- After about 2 minutes, gently flip the eggs with a slotted spoon or spatula. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until the egg whites are fully set and the yolks are still tender. Carefully lift the insert basket to remove the eggs.
Recipe Notes
- Use fresh eggs
- Add enough water to come 2 inches up the side of a pot or skillet. Add the salt and vinegar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Keep the water at a simmering temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit (82 and 88°C). Use a kitchen thermometer, if needed.
- Once done poaching, remove the egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. If preferred, you can drain the egg on a plate lined with paper towels.
How Long To Poach An Egg? - For soft: 3 minutes for soft egg whites and a very runny yolk. You can go up to 3.5 minutes.
- For medium: 4 to 5 minutes for perfectly set soft egg whites and a runny yolk with creamy edges.
- Well done: Poach your egg for 6 minutes for firm whites and a set but creamy yolk (not runny).
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