This site uses only a few technical cookies necessary for its operation. By continuing to browse, you accept their use.
To find out more...
To find out more...
Poached eggs
Poached eggs are cooked, without the shell, in barely simmering (nearly boiling) water. White should be firm and yolk soft, that's the difficulty. This recipe teaches you how to succeed with three important points.
325 K 3.7/5 (38 reviews)
2 hours 40 min.
Average
4 Poacheds eggs
2 IngredientsLast modified on: January 8th 2013
For 4 Poacheds eggs, you will need:
- 1
4 eggs - 2
2 tablespoons white (spirit) vinegar - Total weight: 230 grams
Change these quantities to make:
Change measures:
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 40 min.
Resting: 2 hours
Cooking: 3 min.
All in all: 2 hours 40 min.
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 2 hours
1st important point: Remove 4 eggs from the fridge at least 2 hours in advance, you should use eggs at room temperature for the cooking time indicated below to work.
Stage 2 - 10 min.
Bring a pan of unsalted water to boil. When boiling, pour in 2 tablespoons white (spirit) vinegar, and reduce heat to a simmering water.
That is the 2nd important point: your water should not be salted (salt disturbs the cooking of egg white), and simmering, not boiling, because big bubbles boiling produce irregular and ugly poached eggs.
Prepare a bowl of cold water.
That is the 2nd important point: your water should not be salted (salt disturbs the cooking of egg white), and simmering, not boiling, because big bubbles boiling produce irregular and ugly poached eggs.
Prepare a bowl of cold water.
Stage 3 - 1 min.
Break the first egg into a cup.
Stage 4 - 1 min.
Slip egg smartly into simmering water...
Stage 5 - 1 min.
...and immediately gather the white around egg yolk to prevent egg spreading out too much.
If you have difficulty doing that, try this tip: with a tablespoon give one or two turn to the pan to make a small vortex in the water, then add egg and the vortex will do the gathering job for you.
If you have difficulty doing that, try this tip: with a tablespoon give one or two turn to the pan to make a small vortex in the water, then add egg and the vortex will do the gathering job for you.
Stage 6 - 3 min.
Leave cook for 2 minutes and 30 seconds (3 minutes maximum). This cooking time is the 3rd important point for a perfect result.
Stage 7 - 1 min.
After this time, remove egg from hot water and put it immediately into the bowl of cold water to stop the cooking.
Leave it in, and continue with all eggs.
Leave it in, and continue with all eggs.
Stage 8 - 2 min.
With scissors, trim off any irregular lumps and trails of egg white to get as round and even an egg as possible.
Stage 9 - 1 min.
Then put on a cloth to dry.
Stage 10 - 20 min.
Do this with all eggs, your soft-boiled eggs are ready.
Remarks
Poached eggs are use in many recipes, cold or hot, but are always delicious.
If you want to reheat them, put in the microwave for 15 seconds, or leave 3 minutes in a bowl of hot tap water (not boiling).
If you make poached eggs in advance, the day before for example, leave to stand in a bowl of salted cold water in the fridge.
White vinegar is used because wine vinegar would stain the egg red.
If you want to reheat them, put in the microwave for 15 seconds, or leave 3 minutes in a bowl of hot tap water (not boiling).
If you make poached eggs in advance, the day before for example, leave to stand in a bowl of salted cold water in the fridge.
White vinegar is used because wine vinegar would stain the egg red.
Keeping: Several days in the fridge, in a closed jar.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 30 RDI=10 % | 0 | 20 RDI=3 % | 290 RDI=20 % | 1,230 RDI: 20 % |
| Per 100 g | 10 RDI=4 % | 0 | 9 RDI=1 % | 130 RDI=6 % | 530 RDI: 6 % |
| Per piece | 6 RDI=2 % | 0 | 5 RDI=1 % | 70 RDI=4 % | 310 RDI: 4 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 4 Poacheds eggs : 0.60 €
- Per Poached eggs : 0.15 €
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
Some other recipes using this recipeSee them all 10
Tartine du pêcheur
This is a French twist on that store-cupboard basic, sardines on toast: sardine fillets in oil and sliced spring onion, topped with a poached egg.
57 K4.7 15 min.
Polenta with spinach and soft-poached egg
A "cake" of fried polenta, blanched spinach and a soft-poached egg on top, with a cream, shallot and white-wine sauce poured over just before serving.
81 K5 1 hour 15 min.
Baked potatoes with poached egg and tuna sauce
You will no doubt have baked potatoes the classic way, but here's a version inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi, served with a delicious tuna and caper sauce, and a poached egg.
47 K 1 hour 20 min.
Eggs Benedict
Soft-boiled eggs, served on toast with a slice of fried smoked ham, and the whole covered with Hollandaise sauce.
236 K4 1 hour 4 min.
Eggs Arsène
Eggs Arsène is a rather more rustic version (and definitely more Comtoise in style) of eggs Benedict , that indispensible breakfast dish in Ian Fleming's novels. And you're right, there is a nod to James Bond here.
61 K5 1 hour 2 min.
This recipe uses (among others)
Egg
Like these other recipes: Yeast-based flaky dough (for croissants), Croque-monsieur complet, Soufflée omelette with cheese, How to cook hard-boiled eggs properly , Cheese Soufflé, ... See them all 238
White (spirit) vinegar
Like these other recipes: How to prepare a lettuce, Beurre blanc sauce, Fish petals, vegetables julienne, and beurre blanc, How to prepare cabbage, Cervelle de Canut, ... See them all 18
Other recipes you may also like
New tiramisu
This new version of tiramisu is easier, and in my opinion much better. You will certainly appreciate, like me, the light creamy taste, this time presented in brandy goblets. January 19th 2015411 K3.3 55 min.
Mulled wine Belle-Plagne style
If it's cold or you're in the snow, you will appreciate mulled wine which warms body and soul... There are as many mulled wine recipes as ski runs, so here is a basic one that you can easily adapt to your taste. February 21th 2011255 K 14 1 hour 35 min.
Arizona cupcakes
Cupcakes are small sponge cakes. In their original American version, they are usually decorated with brightly coloured icing. Here's a version inspired by the famous saguaro cactus, so common in Arizona. October 13th 2010218 K 14.6 1 hour 50 min.
Pancake batter
Here is a pancake batter that is a little more sophisticated than the traditional version. The pancakes will be tastier with a softer texture. February 2nd 2020366 K3.8 15 min.
Amaretti
Amaretti are little Italian almond biscuits. They are a bit like meringues, very sweet, and made with ground almonds. May 31th 201580 K4.5 1 hour 3 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-09-21)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe (as 2 people already do)
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.