Download ArticleLearn how to quickly and easily poach an egg using just your microwave
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This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience.
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Poaching an egg makes a simple ingredient into an impressive dish. However, making poached eggs in a pan can be cumbersome.[1] Using the microwave to poach an egg is the easiest way to make a stunning poached egg.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- ½ cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Steps
Get a microwave safe mug and lid. Most plastic, glass, or ceramic mugs and lids will say “Microwave Safe” on the bottom. Use a mug and lid that specifically says microwave safe. Do not use metal materials or foil in the microwave.- If using a mug, a mug with a tapered bottom will give a better result than a straight mug as the taper will collect the egg proteins together better.
Fill the microwave safe mug with ½ cup of cold water from the tap. Using a measuring cup, measure out ½ cup of water. Pour the water into the mug.Advertisement- Crack the egg into the mug. Using the side of the mug, tap the egg firmly once or twice to break through the shell, taking care to not break the yolk. Pry open the egg halves, and let the egg fall into the mug of water and make sure to prick the yolk with a fork to prevent mess.
Ensure the egg is completely submerged in water.[2] If the egg is not submerged in water, use the measuring cup to add another ¼ cup of water. The egg should be submerged now.
Get creative with easy poached eggs. "I love having poached eggs for breakfast but never wanted to deal with the hassle of poaching them on the stove. This microwave method is so easy and fast — it's perfect for busy mornings before work when I'm rushing out the door. I've started experimenting with different-shaped mugs and adding a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the water to get fun, restaurant-worthy results right at home. This simple technique makes it easy to jazz up my breakfasts." - Tikya B.
Avoid rubbery eggs with a fork prick. "In the past, when I tried microwaving eggs, they would sometimes turn out rubbery and overcooked. But after reading the tip to prick the yolk with a fork before cooking to release some of the liquid, my eggs now come out perfect every time. That little poke makes all the difference. No more bouncy, tough eggs — just tender poached eggs with runny yolks using this easy microwave hack." - Mary C.
Adjust cook times for different microwaves. "The microwave cook times were a little off for my 1100-watt microwave. I found 45 seconds works better as the initial cooking time in my more powerful microwave. Checking and adjusting the time is important. Now I have the method down pat for my appliance." - Sue S.
Poach eggs in creative vessels. "Instead of using a mug, I tried poaching my egg in a small glass bowl. The wider shape let me add other ingredients like tomatoes or spinach to make a loaded poached egg. Getting creative with the vessel opened up lots of easy breakfast options." - Maria B.
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- Microwave the egg on high for one minute.[3] Place the mug in the microwave, and cover it with the microwave safe lid. Then, close the door and microwave the egg for one minute on high.
- Make sure the egg is cooked before serving it. Open the microwave door and remove the carefully lid. The egg white should be firm, but the yolk should still be runny.[4] If the egg white still appears runny even after 1 minute, close the microwave door and add 15 seconds. Check the egg again, ensuring the egg white is not runny.
Salt and pepper the egg to taste. Add a dash of salt and pepper to your perfectly poached egg. Serve as desired.
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Expert Q&A
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- QuestionHow do you tell if an egg is spoiled?
Ollie George CiglianoOllie George Cigliano is a Private Chef, Food Educator, and Owner of Ollie George Cooks, based in Long Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in utilizing fresh, fun ingredients and mixing traditional and innovative cooking techniques. Ollie George holds a BA in Comparative Literature from The University of California, Berkeley, and a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from eCornell University.
Private Chef & Food EducatorFill a bowl or prep sink with cool water. Gently place the eggs into the water. The waterline should be high enough that all of the eggs are submerged. If they float they are bad and should be discarded. The ones that stay at the bottom of the bowl or prep sink are good. - QuestionDoes the water have to be hot to do this in a microwave?
Community AnswerNo. In fact, you should use cold water. - QuestionShould the water be hot or cold before dropping the egg in the water
Community AnswerUse cold water. The water temperature should be about the same each time or the cooking time will be altered.
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Tips
- Timing is of key importance during microwave cooking, and the smaller the amount of food, the more critical the timing is.[7]Thanks
- Larger eggs work better using this technique.[8]Thanks
- If your microwave is greater than 950 watts, poach for 45 seconds and then check on it.[9]Thanks
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Warnings
- You can only poach one egg at a time.Thanks
- Do not use a metal or foil in the microwave.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Microwave safe mug with a tapered bottom
- Microwave safe lid/plate
- Microwave
- Measuring cup
- Slotted spoon
References
- ↑ http://foodess.com/articles/how-to-poach-eggs-in-the-microwave/
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/11091677/How-to-cook-the-perfect-poached-egg.html
- ↑ http://www.food.com/recipe/microwave-poached-eggs-bon-appetit-magazine-455672
- ↑ http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/inside-our-kitchen/article/for-perfectly-poached-eggs-the-microwave-is-your-friend
- ↑ http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/inside-our-kitchen/article/for-perfectly-poached-eggs-the-microwave-is-your-friend
- ↑ https://www.microwavecookingforone.com/MicrowaveTips/Timing.php
- ↑ https://www.microwavecookingforone.com/MicrowaveTips/Timing.php
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/how-to-poach-an-egg-in-microwave
- ↑ https://www.brit.co/poached-egg-microwave-hack/
About This Article
Culinary Experts
This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 1,338,658 times.
Co-authors: 29
Updated: February 6, 2024
Views: 1,338,658
Categories: Basic Cooking Skills
Article SummaryX
To poach an egg in the microwave, add 1/2 cup of water to a microwave safe mug and then crack the egg into the mug. Ensure that the egg is fully submerged in water and, if it isn't, add another 1/4 cup of water. Then, place a microwave safe lid, like a small plate, on top of the mug and microwave the egg for 1 minute or until the whites are firm but the yolk is still runny. Use a slotted spoon or fork to remove the egg and enjoy! For more details on how to know when your egg is done, scroll down!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,338,658 times.
Reader Success Stories
"I love having poached eggs for breakfast but never wanted to deal with the hassle of poaching them on the stove. This microwave method is so easy and fast — it's perfect for busy mornings before work when I'm rushing out the door. I've started experimenting with different-shaped mugs and adding a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the water to get fun, restaurant-worthy results right at home. This simple technique makes it easy to jazz up my breakfasts."..." more
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