How Long to Poach Eggs?
Get a size-aware poach estimate below, then verify doneness before serving. How we calculate times.
Calculator
Estimated cooking time
3–4 min
Evidence-informed estimate · Cooking times vary — follow the food-specific completion and food-safety guidance.
- Fresh eggs hold together best. A gentle whirlpool keeps the white wrapped around the yolk.
- Times assume the food starts refrigerated, not room temperature.
- USDA guidance is to cook eggs until yolk and white are firm. Soft and jammy eggs may not meet fully cooked food-safety guidance; pasteurized eggs are a safer choice for people at higher risk from foodborne illness.
Eggs by method
At typical settings. Poach is fastest at 3–4 min.
| Method | Typical time | Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Boil | 7 min | |
| Poach | 3–4 min |
How to poach eggs
Start checking at the early end of the 3–4 min estimate. Appliance output, size and starting state vary, so use the settings above and follow the food-specific completion and safety guidance.
How to know when it's done
Time is an estimate. Taste test at the early end of the range, and remember food keeps cooking slightly after it leaves the heat.
Food-level cooking reference: BBC Good Food — Soft boiled eggs (checked 2026-08-01). CookCue applies deterministic adjustments; food-safety guidance is sourced separately.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I boil eggs for a jammy yolk?
7 minutes for a fridge-cold large egg in already-boiling water, then straight into ice water. 6½ minutes for runnier, 8 for just-set.
Should eggs start in cold or boiling water?
Boiling water — it makes timing predictable and peeling easier. Lower eggs gently with a spoon so they don't crack.
Why does my egg explode when boiled?
It was cooked from frozen or had a hidden crack. Never boil frozen in-shell eggs — thaw them in the fridge overnight first.
How do I peel hard boiled eggs easily?
Shock them in ice water for 5 minutes right after boiling, then peel under running water, starting from the wide end where the air pocket is.