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Egg Cooking Styles Explained: Sunny-Side Up, Scrambled, Poached

Tap a style to see how it's made.

Sunny-Side Up

Cooked on one side only, keeping the yolk fully intact β€” the key is cooking it slowly over low heat so the yolk doesn't break.

Over Easy

Flipped briefly to cook both sides lightly while keeping the yolk still runny.

Over Hard

Fully flipped and cooked on both sides until the yolk is completely set.

Scrambled Eggs

Beaten and stirred while cooking for a soft texture β€” stirring slowly over low heat gives a creamier result.

Poached Egg

Cracked into gently simmering water with a splash of vinegar, cooked so the white wraps around the yolk.

Soft-Boiled Egg

Boiled so the white sets but the yolk stays runny, typically achieved with about 6-7 minutes of boiling.

Hard-Boiled Egg

Boiled until both the white and yolk are fully set, typically achieved with about 10-12 minutes of boiling.

Omelette

Beaten eggs cooked into a thin sheet, filled, and folded β€” styles vary widely from country to country.

The Same Egg, Completely Different Depending on How It's Cooked

Eggs, one of the most common ingredients on tables worldwide, take on entirely different flavors and textures depending on cooking time and method. Knowing these terms is helpful if you want to order your exact preferred style at a cafe or restaurant.

Check Glycemic Index Too

If you're curious how different foods affect blood sugar, our Glycemic Index (GI) guide is worth a look as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why add vinegar when poaching an egg?

Vinegar helps the egg white's protein set more quickly, so it wraps neatly around the yolk in the water instead of spreading out.

What's the timing difference between soft- and hard-boiled eggs?

Generally, about 6-7 minutes produces a soft-boiled egg and about 10-12 minutes produces a hard-boiled egg, though exact timing varies a bit with egg size and water temperature.