Steam-Cooking Eggs: A Simple, Healthy, Tasty Method

Steaming is a great way to cook eggs, resulting in a more tender egg white and a creamier yolk. The process is simple: place a steamer insert into a pot and fill with water to just below the steamer. Bring the water to a boil, gently place the eggs in the steamer, cover the pot, and steam for around 15 minutes. This method is not only faster than boiling, but it also produces eggs that are easier to peel and taste better.

How to steam hard-boiled eggs

Steaming is a great way to cook hard-boiled eggs as it makes them easier to peel and results in a more tender egg white and creamier yolk. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam hard-boiled eggs:

Step 1: Prepare the Pot and Steamer Basket

Fill a saucepan with enough water to reach just below the bottom of the steamer basket. This is usually around 1 inch of water. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can fill the bottom of a saucepan with 1/2 inch of water instead.

Step 2: Heat the Water and Add the Eggs

Place the pot on high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling and producing steam, gently place the eggs in the steamer basket or directly into the pan if you don't have a steamer basket. Cover the pot with a lid.

Step 3: Steam the Eggs

The steaming time will depend on how you like your eggs cooked. For soft-boiled eggs, steam for 6 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs with a still translucent and bright yolk, steam for 10 minutes. For fully cooked hard-boiled eggs, steam for 12 to 15 minutes. If you are cooking multiple layers of eggs, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the steaming time.

Step 4: Cool the Eggs

After steaming, remove the eggs from the pot and place them in a bowl of icy cold water or run cold water directly into the pan to quickly cool them down. This step is important to stop the cooking process and ensure the eggs don't overcook.

Step 5: Peel the Eggs

Once the eggs are cool enough to handle, gently tap the shell all over to thoroughly crack it. Then, remove the shell under a thin stream of running water. The water helps to get under the shell and lift it off the egg.

Tips:

• If you want to serve the eggs cold, you can add ice cubes to a large bowl of water and place the eggs in it to cool for at least 15 minutes before peeling.
• For easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs, use eggs that are 7 to 10 days old. As eggs age, the air pocket in the shell grows, making it easier to remove the shell.
• You can store leftover unpeeled eggs in the refrigerator for up to a week. Keeping the peel on helps to keep them fresher for longer.

How to steam soft-boiled eggs

Steaming is a great way to cook soft-boiled eggs, as it's a gentle process that makes them easier to peel. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving soft-boiled eggs with a super runny, jammy, or partially cooked yolk.

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment

You'll need a pot with a lid, a steamer insert or basket, and a bowl of ice water. If you don't have a steamer insert, you can use a colander or bamboo steamer.

Step 2: Prepare the Water

Add water to the pot. You only need about an inch of water, or enough to reach just below the bottom of the steamer. Place the steamer insert into the pot.

Step 3: Bring the Water to a Boil

Turn the stove on to medium or high heat. Bring the water to a boil or just below a boil. You want a strong boil with steam being produced.

Step 4: Add the Eggs

Once the water is boiling, it's time to add the eggs. Gently place your desired number of eggs into the steamer basket. Make sure the eggs are in a single layer for even cooking.

Step 5: Cover and Steam

Cover the pot with the lid. Set a timer for 4 to 8 minutes, depending on your desired yolk consistency. For a super runny yolk, steam for 4 to 6 minutes. For a partially cooked, jammy yolk, steam for 6 to 8 minutes.

Step 6: Cool the Eggs

After steaming, carefully remove the eggs from the steamer with tongs or a slotted spoon. Immediately transfer them to the bowl of ice water. This will stop the cooking process and make the eggs easier to handle and peel. Leave the eggs in the ice water for about 30 seconds to 5 minutes, or until they are cool enough to handle.

Step 7: Peel and Serve

Gently tap the egg on a hard surface to crack the shell, then carefully peel it away. Rinse the egg under running water to remove any remaining shell fragments. Serve the egg in an egg cup, or enjoy it with ramen, salads, toast, or your favorite dish.

Tips:

• Use fresh, pasteurized eggs for soft-boiled eggs to minimize the risk of bacteria.
• The size of the eggs and other factors like altitude and cookware can affect the cooking time, so you may need to experiment to find your perfect timing.
• If you don't have a steamer, you can also use a combination of boiling water and steam by adding one inch of water to the pot and bringing it to a boil before adding the eggs.

How to steam eggs without a steamer basket

Using a pot with a lid

Fill a pot with about half an inch of water and place it on your stove under high heat. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and carefully place your eggs in the pot. Put the lid back on and turn the heat to medium-high. Set a timer for 6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs or 10-15 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. When the timer goes off, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool them down before peeling.

Using a plate and tinfoil

Fill a pot with about half an inch of water and place three small balls of aluminum foil on the bottom. Put a heat-proof plate on top of the foil, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Add your eggs to the plate, cover, and steam until they reach your desired level of doneness. Remove the eggs from the plate and set them aside to cool.

Using a microwave

Place your eggs in a microwave-safe bowl with a tablespoon of water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plate and cook in the microwave until the eggs are crisp. The cooking time will depend on the power of your microwave, but it should take around 2-3 minutes for soft-boiled eggs and 5 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.

Remember, the key to successful steaming is to ensure that the pot or bowl is covered so that the steam doesn't escape. Also, be sure to cool the eggs in ice water after steaming to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel.

How to peel steamed eggs

Steaming is a great way to cook hard-boiled eggs that are easy to peel. The hot steam helps to release the egg membrane from the shell, making it easier to peel than a standard boiled egg. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to peel steamed eggs:

Step 1: Prepare the Eggs for Peeling

Before you begin peeling, it is important to prepare the eggs for the process. This can be done by gently tapping the larger end of the egg so that the shell crushes. The bottom end of the egg has an air bubble, which makes it easier to crush the shell. You can also make a small crack on the large end of each egg.

Step 2: Start Peeling

Once the eggs are tapped and cracked, you can begin the peeling process. Start by peeling off the shell from the larger end of the egg, where you created the initial crack. Continue peeling until all the shell pieces are removed.

Step 3: Use Running Water (Optional)

If desired, you can peel the eggs under a thin stream of running water. The water helps to get under the shell and lift it off the egg, making the process even easier.

Step 4: Store the Eggs

If you have leftover unpeeled eggs, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Keeping the peel on helps to keep them fresher for a longer period.

Tips for Optimal Peeling:

• Use a steamer basket to cook the eggs, as this will make them easier to peel compared to traditional boiling methods.
• Use eggs that are 7 to 10 days old. As eggs age, the air pocket in the shell grows, making it easier to remove the shell after cooking.
• For soft-boiled eggs, steam for 6 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs with a still translucent and bright yolk, steam for 10 minutes. For fully cooked hard-boiled eggs, steam for 12 to 15 minutes.

How to store steamed eggs

To store steamed eggs, it is best to keep them in their shells. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you have peeled your eggs, they should be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within a day.

To prepare your steamed eggs for storage, first, place them in an ice bath until they are cool. This will take about 10 minutes. Then, gently tap the larger end of the egg so that the shell crushes. The bottom end of the egg has an air bubble, which makes it easier to crush. Start to peel off the shell and continue until all the pieces are removed.

If you are not going to eat your steamed eggs immediately, it is best to keep the shell on to preserve freshness. Store your unpeeled eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Peeled, hard-boiled eggs should be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within a day for optimal freshness and to minimise bacterial growth. If you have made dishes with steamed eggs as an ingredient, such as egg salad or devilled eggs, these should also be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a day.

Frequently asked questions