There aren’t a lot of cooking methods that I don’t like when it comes to eggs. I like them fried, scrambled, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, and so on. But if I had to choose a very favorite type, I would probably have to say it’s poached eggs! They’re just such a treat because I hardly ever make them at home. But that all changed when I learned to make the perfect microwave poached egg!
When I’ve tried making poached eggs at home in the past, it has gone okay — but it’s just a finicky process. And I normally don’t have the time or patience in the morning for anything finicky! So poached eggs were mostly a dining-out-for-breakfast treat.
Related: These Weird Scrambled Eggs Are Actually The Most Delicious Thing Ever
That is, until a few weeks ago when some of my girlfriends and I took a girls’ trip to Nashville. We stayed in a gorgeous Airbnb rental and had a great time! But one morning, I noticed that a few of the ladies were microwaving something for breakfast. I asked what they were making, and to my great surprise, they told me they were making poached eggs! I was intrigued, to say the least, so I had them show me how it’s done. It sounds too good to be true, but it works!
How To Make Poached Eggs In Your Microwave
You’ll need:
- Microwave-safe mug or bowl
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 egg
- Small microwave-safe plate
Directions:
Gently crack an egg into a microwave-safe mug or bowl.
Pour the water and white vinegar over the egg, then place a small plate over the mug.
Microwave for 1 minute. (The cooking time will vary from microwave to microwave. The microwave at our studio is a 1000-watt model, and I used full power. If your microwave has a lower wattage, you may need to increase the cooking time. If your microwave has a higher wattage, you may want to use a lower power setting!)
After cooking, carefully remove the mug and plate from your microwave. Use a slotted spoon to check on the egg. If the white is set, it’s done! If it’s not quite set, put the mug and plate back into the microwave and cook for another 20 seconds. Repeat until the egg white has set.
Be sure to let the egg cool off a bit before piercing the yolk with a fork. Although, rare, it is possible for the the pressure in the yolk to release and spray hot egg onto your face.
Serve your poached egg however you like! One of my favorite ways to eat them is on top of toast, with some arugula and cherry tomatoes if I’m feeling fancy. ;-)
I think it’s safe to say that now I know this quick and easy cooking method, I’ll make poached eggs at home much more frequently! And a HUGE thanks to my girls for teaching me this trick!
Here’s another poached egg hack! I can’t get enough of them! :-)
More Ideas You'll Love
Have you tried cooking eggs in your microwave?
Can you taste the vinegar after the egg us cooked?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You need to poke the yoke several times with a toothpick before you microwave,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.to prevent the egg from exploding.
Watched you tube and it was done on HALF POWER!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I tested it on different power settings, but had the best results with full power! Feel free to experiment with your own microwave, though :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just boil, in the shell, a room temperature egg for 5 min. (med – lg) I also just tried poaching them in my 3 qt instapot. It worked great. This way I don’t have to remember to take them out an hour before I cook them. When the timer starts to count down, hit cancel and vent. I’ve done this twice and both times the same. The second time I timed the coming up to pressure so I can now set a timer so I don’t have to watch the pot the whole time I am waiting for it to come up to pressure.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh poached are my absolute favorite. I too did not like the length of time and all that has to be done. Excellent tip and thank you. Now my coffee cups will get used finally.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Gently crack the egg means to take it out of it’s shell. You do it gently so as not to break the yoke. You do not put the shell in the microwave.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you are poaching an egg in the microwave for one minute then you have to watch it. You can’t walk away from it. The only way an egg can blow up in the microwave is if it is too full of steam. That will happen only after if it’s been in there for a few minutes. I’ve been doing this for some years now and that is the only way my poached eggs turn out good. The vinegar is to keep the egg from sticking to the bottom of the cup. Sometimes that works, sometimes that doesn’t. It depends on the type of cup you are using in the microwave . Corell, ceramic, plastic, etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Mine was only in for 30 seconds when it blew up! What a mess!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I need help. I tried this method, but on the site I saw it just said crack the egg and cover with water, which I did.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I then covered my mug with a plate and put micro. on 1 minute as instructed. I believe it is an 1100 watt.
My egg blew up all over the micro. I am afraid to try again. Any suggestions, and why the vinegar? Thank You!
Doris
mine blew up too!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So sorry for the mess, everyone! I tested many eggs on different power levels for different amounts of time and never had an egg explode. How strange! Did any of you happen to leave the egg in it’s shell?
Vinegar makes the egg keep it shape – it prevents the egg from getting strewn about the water or sticking to the mug. Next time, check the egg after 30 or 40 seconds. From there, just microwave in 10 second increments until the egg is cooked :-) Good luck and sorry for the mess!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can’t wait to try it! Thanks Jillee
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does “gently crack” mean it cooks in the shell? And why vinegar? I loved poached eggs and this sounds much easier and quicker! Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I took the “gently crack” to mean remove the shell carefully so that you don’t break the yolk.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.“Gently crack” means to crack open the shell and dump just the egg into the mug – as photographed. :-) The vinegar helps the egg stay together!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee…
Tell your “girls” THANK YOU from me too! I love soft-boiled eggs but, don’t make them much because it usually ends up in a mess when I peel the eggs. This soft-boiled method is genius! : )
Have a GREAT Day!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hey there! Don’t try to peel the egg when you soft boil it. I was taught to crack the egg in half, then scoop each half out gently with a spoon. Perfection!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Poached hard is my favorite way to eat eggs. No runny yolk for me. I too love to order poached eggs when out to eat! Will this method work for poached hard? Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My husband and I had to try this right away because we love poached eggs. It worked great. Because we are at high altitude it took a minute and 20 seconds.perfect poached egg. Thank you Jillee.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes, you’ll just cook it a little longer :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is the vinegar essential? Does it make the egg taste like vinegar?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yes I too am wondering if they taste like vinegar. Can you just use a little spray oil in the cup to prevent sticking?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.No vinegar taste! In fact, most poached eggs from restaurants have been cooked with a splash of vinegar in the water – it really helps the eggs keep their form!
No vinegar taste! It just helps the egg stay together – otherwise you’ll get little bits of egg white here and there :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Mine has to be a soft boiled egg, but this is one I do in the microwave. Takes no time at all and it can be as soft as you like or a little more done. I really like the way your poached egg looked so I am going to have to try that soon. Thanks for the lesson. I really like trying new things.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have cute little silicone egg cups that you put in a skillet of boiling water the cups look like little white chicks. I got them a few years ago at Home Goods I’m not sure if they are still available. I wish I had my mom’s egg poacher pan, it did four eggs at once.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Very good, We do not own a microwave. We would like the YouTube Videos for demos, is this possible?. Your loyal and long-term customers.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use a cupcake tin that makes 6 cupcakes. spreay it with pam and put an egg in each cupcake pocket. Then place the cupcake pan on top of my large pot that has about 2 to 3 inches of water in it and put it on the stove to boil. By putting the pot’s lid on top of the cupcake tin, it steams the eggs until the eggs are done. My some don’t like runny eggs, some do. The eggs should slide right out.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I could definitely work on a video for this tip – stay tuned!
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