Medium boiled eggs
A medium boiled egg has a yolk that's set around the edge with a soft, fudgy centre. It slices cleanly and doesn't run. Large eggs from the fridge take 8 to 9 minutes in boiling water.
How to make medium boiled eggs
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, then turn it down to a steady, gentle boil.
- Lower the eggs in with a spoon, straight from the fridge.
- Cook for 8 to 9 minutes. The egg timer set to Medium runs 9 minutes.
- Chill them in ice water for 10 to 15 minutes, then peel.
Medium vs jammy vs hard
| Doneness | Time | Yolk |
|---|---|---|
| Jammy | 6½ to 7½ min | Thick and sticky |
| Medium | 8 to 9 min | Set edge, fudgy centre |
| Hard | 10 to 12 min | Set all the way through |
All three are for large eggs from the fridge, lowered into boiling water.
What medium eggs are good for
Medium is the egg for salads. It holds its shape when you quarter it, but the middle is still soft enough to taste rich. It's also good sliced on toast, or eaten on its own with a little salt.
Getting it right
- The difference between medium and jammy is only a minute or two, so keep the water at a boil once the eggs go in.
- Get them into the ice water right away. A warm egg keeps cooking and drifts toward hard.
- Room-temperature eggs: take off about 1 minute less.
Questions people ask
How long do you boil eggs for medium boiled?
8 to 9 minutes for large eggs from the fridge, lowered into boiling water, then an ice bath.
What is a medium soft egg?
Most people mean an egg between jammy and medium, with a thick yolk that is still soft in the middle. Try the low end of the medium range, 8 minutes.
How do I peel medium boiled eggs without tearing them?
Chill them fully, crack the shell all over, and peel under running water starting at the wide end. Slightly older eggs peel easier.