How Long To Cook 2 Soft Boiled Eggs

The simplest and best way to cook boiled eggs is in a pot of boiling water on the stove.
Hard-boiled eggs take about 10 minutes to cook using this method and another 10 minutes to cool.
Store unpeeled boiled eggs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
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Search "how to boil an egg" and you'll get a dizzying amount of results. There are a surprising number of ways to accomplish this seemingly simple culinary task, and everyone has their own tips and tricks for perfectly cooked, easy-to-peel boiled eggs.

"The best method is the one that gives you consistency and yields eggs to your personal taste," explains Matt O'Hayer, founder and executive chairman of Vital Farms, a company that specializes in pasture-raised eggs.

Whether you like your eggs hard, medium, or soft cooked, follow these expert steps for the perfect boiled eggs every time.

How long does it take to boil eggs?

The cook time for boiled eggs depends on your cooking method and how you like your yolks. This chart shows the cook times using the boiling method above. Make sure to set the timer as soon as the eggs enter the water and transfer them to the ice bath immediately after the cook time is up. The timing can also vary a bit depending on their size. Once you find a time that works for you, stick with it.

Tips for easy egg peeling

Wait until your boiled eggs are fully cooled to peel them.

Attempting to peel a stubborn hard-boiled egg can make even the most poised home cook lose their head. Avoid the headache with a few simple tricks for picture-perfect eggs.

Don't use fresh eggs. "The fresher the eggs, the harder they are to peel. If you boil fresh eggs you can end up with mangled whites no matter how delicately you pull the shell away," explains O'Hayer. Use eggs that are at least two weeks old for the easiest peeling.
Let the eggs cool. Eggs peel much easier when they are completely cooled. Let your boiled eggs sit in the ice bath for at least 10 minutes before peeling or stash in the fridge until you're ready to peel.
Peel underwater. O'Hayer also recommends peeling boiled eggs under a running tap or submerged in a bowl of clean water. This can help the shell separate from the egg more cleanly.
Try baking soda or vinegar. While O'Hayer hasn't had much luck with these methods, some home cooks swear that adding baking soda or vinegar to the boiling water helps make the eggs easier to peel. Try adding a ½ teaspoon of baking soda or 1 tablespoon of vinegar per quart of water.

How to store hard-boiled eggs

O'Hayer notes that eggs already come with a built-in container: their shell. To store cooled, boiled eggs, leave them unpeeled and stash them in an airtight container. They should keep in your fridge for about a week.

If you've already peeled the eggs, use them within a day or two.

How to use boiled eggs

Soft-boiled eggs add a silky richness to brothy ramen.

Use medium and hard-boiled eggs for everything from deviled eggs to egg salad to simply serving with salt and pepper as a snack. Slice them in half or quarters and add to salads.

"Soft-boiled eggs are best for dishes like an umami-rich ramen where the yolk adds another depth of flavor to the broth," explains O'Hayer. Or serve with buttered toast for a simple breakfast.

Insider's takeaway

While there are plenty of methods for cooking eggs, this simple boiling technique is sure to deliver every time. Adjust the timing to get the yolk exactly how you like it. For easy peeling, use eggs that are on the older side and let them cool completely.

Laurel Randolph is a food writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer based in Los Angeles, CA. She has written four cookbooks, one of which was the #2 best-selling cookbook of 2017. Laurel has contributed to such publications as EatingWell, Food52, The Spruce Eats, Paste Magazine, Serious Eats, Eaten Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, and more.