No watery whites or broken yolks here! Follow these tips and tricks to make the perfect poached egg every time. Step by step recipe included, video coming soon!

Are you tired of trying to make poached eggs at home only to end up with a watery mess or overcooked yolks? You're not alone! Poached eggs may seem like a simple dish but they can be ever so tricky! Not to worry, I got some tips and tricks for you to get the perfect poached egg every time. So, let's get cracking 🥚💛 (pun intended)!
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Equipment You'll Need
Three main pieces and you should be good to go!
- A slotted spoon: You'll need a slotted spoon to gently lift the poached egg out of the water without breaking the delicate white.
- A large sauce pan: You'll need a deep pot or pan filled with enough water to cover the eggs. A wide pot will make it easier to keep multiple eggs from sticking together.
- A timer: Timing is crucial when it comes to poaching eggs so make sure you have a timer or stopwatch handy.

A Few Handy Tips
Some tricks I've learned over the years to help make the perfect poached egg!
- The fresher the better: Make sure to use fresh, chilled eggs. A fresher egg straight out of the refrigerator will poach "tighter" than an older, room temperature one and get you that restaurant brunch-style orb.
- Use a little white vinegar: Adding a teaspoon of white vinegar to the saucepan keeps the white closer to the yolk, helping it stay more compact. Oh and don't worry about any lingering vinegar taste. You'll use so little there's no imparting of flavor.
- Simmer the water: Do not boil the eggs! To start, bring the water up to a boil to get it up to temp, then reduce the heat to a low simmer. If the water remains at a boil once the egg is added, it will tear the egg apart, resulting in broken yokes.
- The whirlpool: Just before adding the eggs to the saucepan, gently stir the water with the slotted spoon. This will create a slow "whirlpool" effect. That way, when you add the egg, the gentle current will help the egg white to envelope the yolk, helping to form that same compact orb as opposed to a flat disc.
- Slip the egg into the saucepan: Slowly slip the egg into the water. Crack the egg into a small ramekin or bowl first, and then very close to the water slowly start to tip it over so that the egg will gently slide out, white first into the pot. Again, this helps keep the white closer to the yolk to maintain the orb-like shape.
- Short cook time: It doesn't take long! You only cook the egg for about 3 to 4 minutes. This will help to achieve firm, fully cooked whites while maintaining a golden, runny yolk.

What To Eat With A Poached Egg
So many thoughts! You could serve your perfectly poached egg with sliced avocado and dash of your favorite hot sauce. Or for a hearty breakfast option, place it on top of a bed of sautéed spinach and mushrooms. A traditional favorite is the classic brunch fave eggs benedict. I gotta be honest though, I'm not a fan of hollandaise (or canadian bacon 😬) so I don't have a recipe to share for that particular dish. I do however have quite a few options that you could add a poached egg to or substitute for a fried egg ⤵️! (For a more complete list of ideas, scroll on down).
Other Recipe Ideas
1. Eggs Benedict: As previously mentioned above, this classic breakfast dish is a favorite among many (but not really my jam sorry). This rich, savory recipe consists of a poached egg served on top of an English muffin and topped with hollandaise sauce and Canadian bacon.
2. Poached Egg and Avocado Toast: More my speed! Attributed to the millenial, whip up this simple breakfast by plopping your poached egg on top of a slice of crusty toast spread with ripe, mashed avocado. I like to sprinkle mine with a little everything bagel seasoning!
3. Poached Egg and Smoked Salmon Bagel: Another classic breakfast dish, this combination of poached egg, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and a toasted bagel is a Pacific Northwest standard.
4. Shakshuka: This Middle Eastern recipe is a combination of poached eggs in a rich and spicy tomato sauce. It's a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for brunch or dinner!
5. Poached Egg and Quinoa Bowl: For a healthy and protein-packed breakfast option, try serving your poached egg on top of some cooked quinoa, sautéed spinach, and roasted sweet potatoes. One of those recipes I tend to lean toward after the holidays in January 😂.
Alright! Time for the nitty gritty. Learn how to make the perfect poached egg by scrolling down to grab the step by step recipe!


How to Make the Perfect Poached Egg
- Total Time: 9 minutes
- Yield: Serves 1
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
No watery whites or broken yolks here! Follow these tips and tricks to make the perfect poached egg every time.
Ingredients
- 1 medium egg, fresh and chilled
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to boil. Add the vinegar and reduce to a low simmer.
- Crack egg into a ramekin or small bowl. Gently stir the simmering water with a slotted spoon before adding the egg to create a whirlpool-like current
- Slowly tip the egg into the water, white first. Cook for 3 minutes. Repeat this step with the second egg (you can have both eggs cooking in the pot at the same time).
- Remove the egg with a slotted spoon, cutting off any icky edges, and gently pat dry with a paper towel. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
For a full list of tips to get the perfect poached egg, read the full blog post (how to make the perfect poached egg)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Poaching
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