Hard-boiled eggs are a popular food typically used in salads, sandwiches, and egg-based dishes such as deviled eggs. Eggs can be undercooked, resulting in soft-boiled eggs instead of hard-boiled eggs. In these instances, you may want to reboil the eggs to get them to your desired texture.
Many people enjoy eating hard-boiled eggs as a high-protein snack or as part of a meal. Hard-boiled eggs are a source of choline, which is vital for cellular maintenance. Hard-boiling reduces the risk of infections like salmonella in eggs and is a healthier alternative to frying eggs.
Eggs can be reboiled, but it’s important to cook them correctly. Read on to find out how to reboil eggs.
Can You Reboil Eggs if They Are Undercooked?
You can reboil undercooked eggs as long as the egg isn’t cracked. Cracked eggs shouldn’t be reboiled because reboiling a cracked egg will cause the egg’s contents to leak into the water.
How to Reboil Eggs
Avoid using a microwave to reboil the eggs because it may cause the eggs to explode.
The best way to reboil an egg is to use the stove method because it’s quick and easy to do.
How to Reboil Eggs on the Stove
- Add cold water and eggs to a pot on the stove
- Bring the water to a boil
- Boil the eggs for 3 to 5 minutes, up to 6 minutes if the yolk is particularly runny
- Drain the boiling water and run the eggs under cold water
- Prepare the hard-boiled eggs as desired
How to Reboil Eggs in a Bowl
- Place the eggs in a bowl that’s suitable for boiling water
- Boil water in a kettle or on the stove
- Pour the boiled water into the bowl containing the eggs
- Place a lid on top of the bowl and let the eggs sit until the water cools
- Remove the eggs from the water and check one to ensure they’re done
FAQs About Reboiling Eggs
Here are some commonly-asked questions about reboiling eggs.
Can You Recook Hard Boiled Eggs?
You can recook hard-boiled eggs in the microwave. Cut the eggs into halves and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the eggs for 10-second increments on medium heat to avoid the eggs exploding. Remove the eggs from the microwave when they reach your desired temperature.
Can You Reboil Soft Boiled Eggs?
You can reboil soft-boiled eggs in a pot on the stove or by leaving them in a bowl of boiling water until the water cools.
Are Undercooked Hard Boiled Eggs Safe?
Undercooked hard-boiled eggs aren’t safe to eat. Eggs can contain salmonella if undercooked, so consuming raw eggs should be avoided. The less an egg is cooked, the higher the chance of salmonella. However, it’s generally considered safe to eat an egg if the yolk is still slightly runny. To avoid any risk of salmonella, hard-boil your eggs.
Can You Reboil Peeled Eggs?
You can safely reboil peeled eggs as long as the egg isn’t cracked.
How to Tell if a Boiled Egg Is Done?
Check if a boiled egg is done without shelling the egg by spinning it on a flat surface. If the egg spins quickly and doesn’t wobble, it’s done, and the inside is hard-boiled.
If the egg only spins for a short period or wobbles, it’s a sign that the liquid inside is affecting its balance. In this case, the egg is undercooked and should be reboiled.
Is it Possible to Overcook Eggs?
It is possible to overcook eggs. If your eggs are overcooked, the yolk will be green or surrounded by a green coating. This green color means hydrogen sulfite has been released into the egg white, which is a sign of overcooking.
Eggs with a green yolk are still safe to eat in some circumstances, but it’s best to avoid eating eggs with green yolks because of the risk of toxicity and the damaged flavor.