Although they are a fantastically nutritious snack, hard-boiled eggs can be a stressful food to prepare. Putting the eggs in the water without cracking them is typically the step that presents the greatest challenge.
Of course, there is always the possibility that the carton will contain an egg that has been broken. What exactly are you going to do with it? Is it still usable after being boiled, or is it past its expiration date?
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Boiling a Cracked Egg
The use of vinegar and salt is the technique that works best when boiling an egg that has been cracked. If you mix vinegar and salt into the water, the egg white won’t be able to break through the shell and get out.
Boiling a Cracked Egg Step by Step
Let’s take a more in-depth look at how to boil an egg that has been cracked. We’ll go through everything step by step so that you can make eggs that are perfect every time.
1. Prepare a Pan of Water
To begin, you will need to choose a vessel in which to boil your eggs. It should be filled with enough water to cover the eggs completely. At the very least, the eggs should be submerged by an inch or more of water.
2. Add Vinegar and Salt
To the water, add anywhere from 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of white vinegar. In the event that the egg is cracked, this will stop the egg white from leaking out. There is also the option of putting a little bit of salt into the water. This helps the egg white to solidify, which stops it from leaking out of the shell in the event that it breaks.
You can add some white vinegar and salt to the dish just in case the eggs break while it is being cooked if you are concerned about this happening. Because of this, even if any of your eggs break, they won’t be ruined or misshapen in any way.
3. Boil Water
Eggs can only be successfully boiled in water that has been brought to a boil. It’s possible that you’re wondering whether or not you should bring the water to a boil before adding the eggs to it. Yes. The eggs are able to become more easily peeled as a result of their easier separation from the shell. Prepare a pot of water by bringing it to a full boil.
4. Place the Eggs Into the Water
You will need to put the eggs into the water that is already boiling. When placing the eggs in the water, use a large spoon to do so carefully. It is possible that you will damage them if you simply drop them into place.
5. Adjust the Temperature
The temperature of the water will drop as a result of the cold eggs being submerged in it. It is possible that you will need to keep the heat at its highest setting for at least 30 seconds. Reduce the temperature once it has reached a full rolling boil again.
You want to make sure the water boils slowly for the eggs.
6. Timing
Timing is everything when it comes to boiling eggs. To make eggs with a runny yolk and a soft center, boil them for six minutes. Eggs need to be boiled for a full 12 minutes to achieve the desired result of a hard-boiled egg.
7. Cool the Eggs
After the eggs have finished cooking, you will need to let them cool down. If you don’t, the heat generated inside the eggs will cause the eggs to continue to cook even after you remove them from the heat.
Pouring the boiling water away from the eggs is the simplest method for accomplishing this task. After that, pour some ice-cold water into the pot. It is possible that you will need to carry out this procedure multiple times before the eggs and the pan reach room temperature.
You can also take the eggs out of the pan and put them in a bowl after you’ve cooked them. After that, pour in some ice water. Having said that, this is an unnecessary additional step that can be skipped. The solution is as simple as chilling them out.
8. Let Them Rest
After you have cooled the eggs, you will need to give them some time to rest. Give them 15–20 minutes to soak in the cold water before removing them. In addition to that, this enables them to cool down further.
Plastic Wrap Method
There is yet another strategy for boiling an egg that has been cracked. In order to do this, you will need to tightly wrap the broken egg in plastic wrap that is safe for food. After that, boil it in the same manner as you normally would.
The egg will remain afloat in the water, contrary to the normal behavior of eggs, which is for them to sink. The cooking time will be longer as a result of the plastic wrap. You will now need to boil the egg for a total of 15 minutes to achieve the desired result of a hard-boiled egg.
Safety Considerations
When you are boiling a cracked egg, there are some precautions that you need to take for your own safety. The shell of an egg acts as a barrier, preventing bacteria from entering the egg itself.
It feels a little bit like getting a cut on your finger whenever the egg cracks open. You are aware that the wound may allow bacteria to enter your body, which may then cause you to become ill.
There are situations where it’s perfectly safe to use a cracked egg, but in other cases, you should throw it out instead.
When is a Cracked Egg Safe?
It is safe to consume the egg even if you are aware that it cracked while still inside its packaging while it was stored in your home or refrigerator. The packaging contributes to the prevention of contamination. You are also aware of the exact whereabouts of the egg ever since it was broken.
When Shouldn’t You Use a Cracked Egg?
It is best not to use the egg if you noticed that it was cracked when you bought it from the store. After the crack appeared, you have no idea what conditions it was put through. It is extremely unlikely that someone did something malicious to contaminate the egg; however, all that is required to cause contamination is to touch the egg with hands that have not been washed.
You should also pay attention to the appearance of the egg as well as how it smells. Toss the egg if it has an off-putting or putrid odor.
The shelf life of an egg is significantly reduced as soon as it is cracked. It’s possible that the eggs in the carton will be fine to eat, but the one that was cracked might have gone bad.
For this reason, it is best to cook a cracked egg as soon as possible, preferably within a few days of the egg being cracked.
Final Thoughts on Boiling a Cracked Egg
It is not too difficult to boil an egg that has been cracked. Before bringing the water to a boil, all you need to do is stir in a half teaspoon of vinegar and a little bit of salt.
Make sure the egg is fit for consumption before you eat it. Before you start cooking, think about when the egg cracked and how it smelled.
Frequently Asked Questions on Boiling a Cracked Egg- How to Do It
What Causes Hard Boiled Eggs to Be Hard to Peel?
Because eggs are added to cold water, they are much more difficult to peel than other types of eggs. To get easy to peel hardboiled eggs, place the eggs in the water after it begins to boil.
Can You Boil Eggs Without the Shell?
Eggs can be boiled and served without their shells. In order to accomplish this, you will need silicone pods that are commonly referred to as egglets. After the eggs have been added to the pods, continue to boil them as you normally would. Because of this, you won’t have to bother peeling the eggs, and you won’t have to be concerned about the shells breaking.
