J. Kenji López-Alt

1,760,000 subscribers

⏱ 👁 1,253,305 views

Truly Foolproof Poached Eggs

Video Overview & Insights

Get my books (including The Food Lab and my new book, The Wok) here: https://www.kenjilopezalt.com

“

Takeaway, you need a designer spoon just for poached eggs and family doesn't matter, unless they pay!

— @spotdBS

If you like my stuff, follow me over on Patreon, where you will find every new recipe video published ad-free along with fully written step-by-step instructions: https://www.patreon.com/kenjilopezalt

Here's my poached egg article on Serious Eats: https://www.seriouseats.com/foolproof-poached-eggs-food-lab-recipe

“

I used a fine mesh strainer and nothing dripped out. Does that say something about my eggs? Another issue was as I transferred from the strainer to a bowl that I could use to slip the eggs into the water, I think I punctured the sac around the whites, because the yolk basically separated from the whites in the first couple seconds in the water.

— @AnkurOberoi

This technique is one that I shared in my first book, The Food Lab. The idea is that by straining eggs in a fine mesh strainer before poaching them, you eliminate the problems caused by those excess loose whites - the whispy cloudlike things that muck up the water and make the poached eggs look kinda like wet tissue instead of a nice clean, tight torpedo shape.

The method is not 100% foolproof (there will always be a random egg here and there that has whites that are already broken when you take it out of the shell), but it's as close as I know.

“

1:54 No matter how gently I place my eggs into the water, they get obliterated. I end up with the yoak and about half the white. And no I dont have the water too hot and turbulent.

— @Ironeside75

What's especially nice is that you can crack lots of eggs into the strainer at once. I've done this with three dozen eggs at a time at a demo once!

“

technique is flawless, but those eggs are underdone mate

— @Tutdelasmore

More User Perspectives

Lot of fiddling about.

@TPthunder01

Finally, the big secret to real poached eggs. They do look good so far. I have not tried this yet, but will do in 5 mins, Thanks very much. all good ideas, the big spoon is very useful. am dying to try this finally, Thanks again man, Kenjilo

@enriquefernandez5353

Did you turn the heat off just before adding the eggs or just after, the water doesn't look as if it is still being heated after the eggs are in?

@6foottalldwarf

Best and shortest video. simplest and best method/results. Thank you!

@larryd6143

How many items have you got to wash just to poach two eggs.🤣👍

@wallydug2256

No need for vortex one the eggs are in the pot.

@elpllc7541

Nobody knows how to poach eggs properly. Who cares about the loose white. That's a waste of time. There is no reason for a vortex. A lid helps cook the yoke better. Those eggs are undercooked as far as I'm concerned. If they were flipped the yoke would be more cooked.

@cranesouder

Turnati un vagon de vorbe fara sa spuneti ceva.Ce este acela ou posat si cum se face fara a fi fiert sau prajit?

@adriangheorghe2327

Eggs look great -- and no vinegar!

@carolemurphy6205

😋😋😋

@mistressindistress32

Thanks , good way !

@cindyspiess9963

Does say if he turned burner down. Anyone know!

@soniaevans-ty7gz

Kenji Lopez? so he has asian and latino roots? DAT'S AMAZING!🤩
i will give it a try today, because yesterday i tried to poach some eggs, but i was forced to turn DEM into an egg soup🥲

@crapenfapenschliken2491

Poached chicken eggs RECIPE
-water
-Salt
-vinegar
-cooking flour
-butter
-homemade gravy

Betcha we travel for New Orleans this summer ☀️

#cabinFEVER

MAKE SURE IT SMELLS LIKE A COOKED BANANA IF USING ONION SOUP MIX RECIPE

THANKS IN ADVANCE 🎉🎉🎉

@lilADIOS

This was not good. this guy is so scatter-brained. It's called over0complicating a simple thing.

@donlessnau3983

It’s breakfast time,and I will try it now.thanks,it looks easy.

@marjoriecadanilla505

beef bowl? say more!

@derekl3495

How about the loose whites? Are we going to throw them?

@stephenjohnlim8529

The only problem is that I actually like a little bit of vinegar taste on my poached eggs. :)

@troystallard6895

Thanks! I’ll try this!

@davidstokes925

put them in the strainer, then just put the strainer in the pot. no need to pass them back and forth. when they're done lift the strainer out

@zp944

This is awesome however we never talk about what temperature setting you’re using after it comes up to a boil

@DanKardell

I agree I will try this as I am rubbish with poached eggs thank hou

@MaritaMorrison-l1i

you seem pleasant, but you talk too fast

@leolacasse6278

Ain't nobody got time for that.

@UMTFKRPCU

Amazing!

@MacKenziePoet

Yum 🍳

@nocturneuh

Crying out loud talk about watching bloody paint dry mate! Ur borin

@shakes5578

I rescued two chickens called them Harriet and Henrietta and they gave me two lovely eggs every day, never needed to strain them or add vinegar, you just need fresh eggs 😊

@sallybrushwood9837

Gosh ... you are boring ... sorry 😮

@joline2730

The water was boiling at the time the eggs went in. Do you then turn the heat off totally while the egg poaches?

@moyrawoodward2291

This worked out perfectly, I’ll be using this method from now on, thanks Kenji!

@MaximusShredus

I always poach eggs in the microwave. Works perfectly every time!!

@johnday8677

Under cooked

@denisanderson9948

Well I've never tried that but I will. They do look good

@sinord5288

I use a metal strainer and pot put the eggs into the strainer then into the pot of boiling water easier to get out

@cracknoir8397

No way can I flip an egg without breaking it 😅

@HenSid-m7t

What a load of faff , been a qualified chef , now retired of over 50 years working , and used to cook over 200 poached eggs a hour while doing breakfast. You just put your water in ( vinegar is not required, it was used in the old days to set eggs because they didn’t keep well) when water is simmering just crack egg into water , no separate bowl required, then turn your water right down , put your toast on,when it’s done , butter on , then lift egg out of water and season as required when on toast , no need to circulate water etc , that’s a chef showing off , ps while water is heating put your serving plate on top to preheat it before dropping cracked egg into water. Taa dah Simples

@tonybarton3746

I don't know if you'll get this a year and a half after posting this, but I'd love a link for the poaching spoon! ❤

@busdriver428

Just did this.

Bye bye vinegar.

@notsure1135

Mantap cara merebus telur, terima kasih sudah berbagi video yang luar biasa 4:24

@icutfamily7956

NICE! Seems like the easiest, cleanest approach.

@danieljstark1625

Kenji loves the helmet

@rack_man

All these people describing how to poach eggs always do it with VERY FRESH eggs. If you have to buy eggs from a regular supermarket, you never get fresh eggs. Try removing the loose white with a serve and frequently you'll end up with just a yolk.

So how about showing us your method for two week old eggs.

@djabbt4171

How long to cook?

@malaconway2645

Tried all the hacks. ice baths, preworkouts, even dopamine detoxes. none of it clicked. I felt so tired everyday. then someone dropped Testosterone Rewired by David Brooks in a comment and I checked it out. been locked in ever since. no hype, just clarity. wild how long I was running on fumes.🔥

@KiupNarengh