Learning how to poach an egg at home is an *adulting* essential. Not only is poaching eggs at home surprisingly easy, but it opens up a whole new world of recipes.
Following these easy tips for poaching eggs at home will give you perfectly poached eggs for breakfast, lunch, or anytime you need to elevate your avocado toast moment!
1. Start with fresh eggs
The fresher the eggs, the better! When selecting your carton of eggs, reach for the ones in the back: they’re the freshest! Always be sure to check that expiration date before purchase.
2. Wait a sec: Give the water a moment to stop boiling
Bring your water to a boil, and when bubbles start to form, remove the pot from the stove, and reduce the heat. When the water is gently simmering, lower the egg into the hot water. Placing eggs in boiling water may cause them to break apart.
3. Use vinegar
Poaching an egg in a little vinegar helps the egg maintain its form while poaching. The vinegar helps the egg whites cook faster, allowing the egg to better stay together. Just adding about a Tablespoon of vinegar to your water can make all the difference. And that’s on chemistry.
4. Use a small bowl
Crack the egg into a small bowl or ramekin before dropping it into the hot water. This trick will help the egg keep its shape as it starts to poach!
5. Swirl the water
Use a spoon to stir the water in the pot a few times before dropping the egg in. This motion creates a vortex (big word... it feels dramatic) that will help the egg whites wrap around the yolk.
6. Don’t crowd the pot!
Only poach 2-3 eggs at a time, otherwise the eggs may collide and break apart. We know you’re hungry – but patience is key!
7. Avoid cooking the egg for longer than 3 minutes
Poached eggs times can vary - but just slightly. A good rule of thumb for a perfectly poached egg is three minutes. How long you cook a poached egg can make the difference between a soft runny yolk, and one that’s too hard.
8. Try a soup ladle
Thank you TikTok for giving us yet another life hack! Simply coat the inside of a soup ladle with cooking spray, crack the egg in, and lower into simmering hot water until the egg is fully formed!
9. Poach eggs in an instant pot
Using an Instant Potto poach eggs just might be the quickest way to poach an egg.
To poach eggs in an instant pot, coat the inside of a silicone egg cup with butter or cooking spray, then crack your egg into the silicone cup. Place the egg in the instant pot, and use the low pressure, quick release setting. Cook for 6 minutes, and voila! Perfectly poached eggs.
