How to Peel a Soft Boiled Egg

Removing the shell from a soft-boiled egg can be tricky and messy. The first step is to open the egg, which can be done with a spoon, knife, or egg-cutting instrument. Secondly, use a spoon to peel the egg and separate it from the shell. Using a kitchen instrument like a spoon or egg topper makes the process cleaner and simpler.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Tapping with a Spoon

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Some people prefer the wide end of the egg, while others argue that it's easier to open the narrow end. When using a spoon or knife, the egg can be opened from either end.^{[1]XResearch source}
The purpose is to weaken the entire top part of the shell, not just one spot. The top should crack all the way around the circumference.
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The shell will be loosened, but not entirely broken. You may need to push the spoon under the loosened shell before lifting it off.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Whacking with a Knife

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This is more successful if you hit the narrow end instead of the wide end of the egg since the knife is more likely to go all the way through. Make sure to use a butter knife rather than a sharp knife, as you could cut yourself otherwise.
Use a light stroke this time. The knife should cut through the shell, separating the top part entirely from the egg.
The knife method is more similar to cutting the shell, as opposed to using a spoon to crack it. Make sure to keep the egg steady as you lift the shell off.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Cutting with a Scissor-Style Egg Topper/Cutter

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This kind of egg cutter has scissor-like handles but ends in a loop. The loop resembles a circle.^{[2]XResearch source} It's important to place it around the narrow end of the egg instead of the wide, as it will cut into the egg rather than the shell if you use it on the wide end.
Twist the loop (round part) of the topper slightly around the egg as you do so. Metal teeth will slide out from the loop, and twisting the loop around the egg helps the blades cut the shell cleanly. Or, you can hold the topper steady, and twist the egg slightly in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as you squeeze the blades. ^{[3]XResearch source} Either method will help to cut the shell all the way through.
The topper cuts off approximately the top 1/2 inch of the egg. At this point, the shell may naturally come off with the instrument, or it may remain on the egg. If it remains on the egg, simply use a spoon or your fingers to lift it off.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Cutting with a Spring-Loaded Egg Topper

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Spring-loaded toppers resemble metal plungers. ^{[4]XResearch source} You can place it over the narrow or wide end of the egg, depending on its size. The bowl must fit over the end.
It's spring-loaded, so will naturally snap back down once you release it. The lever cuts a circle around the top of the egg. Lift the topper away.
The top part of the shell will remain on the egg, but it will be completely loose. The topper cuts cleanly all the way through it. Remove it with a spoon or your fingers.
You can also use an egg spoon if you have one available. The curve of the spoon should naturally follow the curve of the egg. Push it gently downward and then horizontally. ^{[5]XResearch source}
This loosens the body of the egg away from the surrounding shell. Be gentle so as not to break the egg itself. The spoon may cause several large cracks in the shell as you do this, which is fine.
Try not to further crack the shell into small pieces as you do so, because particles may attach to the egg. Because it's soft boiled, the egg may run slightly at this point, so transfer it quickly.

How Do You Make The Perfect Soft Boiled Egg?

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How long should I cook a soft-boiled egg?
Sasha Reyes
Executive Chef
Chef Sasha Reyes is the Executive Chef and Owner of Artisan Personal Chefs. With over 20 years of food industry experience, she specializes in private dinner parties, custom sports nutrition plans for professional athletes, and cooking lessons. Chef Reyes graduated from Arizona Culinary Institute in 2011 with a degree in Culinary Arts, Baking, and Restaurant Management.
Sasha Reyes
Executive Chef
Expert Answer
When preparing soft-boiled eggs, simmer them in boiling water for approximately four to five minutes. Afterward, swiftly cool the eggs by running cold water over them. To make peeling easier, maintain the flow of cool water as you peel the eggs.
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Tips

Placing the egg in cold water for two minutes after boiling makes it easier to peel and ensures you don't burn yourself on the hot shell.
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A grapefruit spoon, while not as common in a kitchen, works just as well as an egg spoon and even better than a kitchen spoon. The serrated edge helps separate the egg from the inside of the shell without breaking it.
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