How Long to Boil Eggs
It takes less than 15 minutes to boil eggs, but the exact length of time will depend on how you want your eggs to come out. The most common choice is to make hard-boiled eggs, but some people enjoy soft-boiled eggs, which have a solid white but a soft yolk.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
To make hard-boiled eggs, add the eggs to a pot of cold water and then bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and cover the pot. Allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for 12 minutes. When the eggs are done, remove them from the pot and place them in an ice bath to cool so they don't overcook.
Soft-Boiled Eggs
For soft-boiled eggs, you should only add the eggs to the water once it's already boiling. After you place the eggs in the water, slightly reduce the heat and allow the eggs to simmer for 6 1/2 minutes. When the time is up, remove the eggs and place them into an ice bath.