How long does it take to soft-boil an egg?

A soft-boiled egg requires approximately two minutes to obtain the desired consistency. Eggs of different sizes may require slightly more or less time to be soft-boiled.

Cooks can prepare a soft-boiled egg by placing an egg in a saucepan and covering it with enough water to reach an inch over the egg. The water takes approximately five or six minutes to boil. After the water boils, the cook should turn off the heat, and cover the saucepan for 90 seconds to two minutes. Serving the egg cut in half or in its shell using an egg holder is a typical presentation, with salt and pepper for additional flavor.