How to Make Poached Eggs in the Microwave [7 Easy Steps]

How to Make Poached Eggs in the MicrowavePoached eggs are great to have on hand for a healthy breakfast or brunch. For those short on time, poaching an egg can be a pain and time-consuming.

Luckily, there is a way to make them in your microwave. This method requires very little hands-on time but still produces delicious results.

It’s pretty simple and quick. Here’s how to make poached eggs in the microwave.

Pour a microwave-safe container with 1/2 inch of water and add vinegar. Crack an egg(s) into a small bowl and gently tip it into your container. Poke holes in the yolk with a fork. Cover your dish with a lid and cook on high for about 60 seconds. Remove from microwave and gently lift out the egg with a slotted spoon and serve.

This method is healthier than poaching an egg on the stovetop and has almost no clean-up.

In this article, will elaborate further on how to make poached eggs in a microwave in detailed, easy-to-follow steps. We’ll also discuss some of its benefits as well as provide answers to some of your frequently asked questions.

But First, What is a Poached Egg?

How to Make Poached Eggs in the MicrowaveEvery day, we see eggs prepared in a variety of ways. They can be fried, scrambled, boiled, poached, and more.

However, a mention of poaching eggs to most people conjures up images of runny egg yolks floating in a sea of murky liquid. While that may be true for traditional poaching methods, it doesn’t have to be with a microwave.

Now, to provide you with a better understanding of what poached eggs are and how you can make them, we need first to define what poaching is. To put it simply, poaching is a cooking technique that involves submerging food into a liquid below the boiling temperature for a short period.

However, take note that poaching isn’t boiling or simmering. Instead, it’s a gentler form of cooking that allows for more delicate foods like eggs and fish to cook while keeping their shape intact.

So, from that explanation, we can deduce that poached eggs are eggs that have been cooked by submerging them in a liquid (poaching) for a short time at low temperatures. The result is soft and tender white eggs with a runny yolk.

Simple Steps to Make Poached Eggs in the Microwave

How to Make Poached Eggs in the MicrowaveNow that you have a good idea of what poached eggs are, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge into practice. Despite their fancy name, they are actually relatively easy to make.

So, here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to make poached eggs in the microwave.

What You’ll Need

  • A microwave-safe bowl
  • One egg
  • 1/2 inch of water
  • Vinegar (1/4 tsp.)

How to Make Poached Eggs in the Microwave

  • Salt and pepper (Optional)

1st Step: Fill a Microwave-Safe Bowl with Water

The first step is to fill your microwave-safe bowl with about a half-inch of water. A good rule of thumb is to have enough water to cover most of your egg, but not so much that it spills over when you crack it into place.

Also, ensure that your bowl is microwave safe and fits inside your microwave. If it doesn’t, choose another bowl or plate.

2nd Step: Add Vinegar into Your Bowl of Water

The next step is to add a splash of vinegar (about 1/4 tsp.) into your bowl. Vinegar makes egg whites firmer and more stable, preventing them from disintegrating when cracked into water. If you don’t have any vinegar, you can skip it. However, we recommend that you use it for the best results.

3rd Step: Crack Your Egg into a Separate Bowl

Once your water is in place, crack your egg into a separate bowl. This way, you can easily add it to your microwave-safe bowl without messing. You’ll also want to make sure that you don’t accidentally break the yolk while doing so.

4th Step: Poke a Hole into your Egg Yolk

The fourth step is to poke a hole into your egg yolk. You can gently press it with a toothpick or any clean, sharp object. This will prevent your egg from exploding over your microwave and creating a huge mess while cooking. Just be careful not to break through its membrane.

5th Step: Transfer Your Egg into Your Bowl of Water

The fifth step is to transfer your egg into your bowl of water. You can do so by holding it over your bowl and carefully dropping it inside. If you’re having trouble doing so, use a spoon or spatula to help guide it down. The egg yolk should stay intact during this process.

6th Step: Cover Your Bowl with a Lid and Microwave for About 60 Seconds

Before you cook your egg, make sure to cover your bowl with a lid. This will prevent any water from splashing out of it while cooking. The next step is to microwave your egg for about 60 seconds.

The egg white should thoroughly cook through at this point, but its yolk should still be runny. If not, then continue microwaving until done.

It’s worth noting that microwaves heat food unevenly, so you might find the yolk cooking faster than its surrounding whites.

Final Step: Remove your Egg from your Bowl and Enjoy

How to Make Poached Eggs in the MicrowaveYou can gently use a spoon or spatula to lift it out of its water bath. Transfer it onto a plate, garnish with salt and pepper, and enjoy. However, if your poached egg isn’t cooked to your liking, let it sit in a hot water bath for 30 seconds before checking again.

Benefits of Making Poached Eggs in the Microwave over Stovetops

The next question on your mind is probably why should you make poached eggs in a microwave instead of over a stovetop? What’s that special about microwaves, anyway?

Well, there are many benefits to making poached eggs in a microwave. Let’s take a look at some of them:

1. Fast and Efficient

Compared to a stovetop, the microwave makes poached eggs in a fraction of the time. This is because microwaves use electromagnetic waves to heat food quickly and efficiently. In fact, most microwaves will take less than one minute to cook one poached egg.

And unlike stovetops, microwaves are also energy-efficient, so your electric bill won’t go up if you’re making a lot of poached eggs for breakfast or brunch.

2. Cleaning-Up Is a Breeze

Stovetops are a nightmare when it comes to cleaning up. On the other hand, Microwaves make cleaning up after cooking your poached eggs a cinch.

All you have to do is wipe down your microwave with a damp cloth. No more scrubbing away at your stovetop for half an hour trying to get that burnt egg off.

3. Retain Nutrients and Flavor

The best part about microwaving poached eggs is that they retain all their nutrients, flavor, and color, unlike over a stovetop. Microwaves cook food at a much higher frequency than other cooking methods.

As a result, your eggs don’t overcook, resulting in vital nutrients and flavor loss. At this point, we can conclude that microwaving is a healthy way to make poached eggs.

4. Control Over – Cooking

Microwaves give you more control over how much you want your eggs cooked. For example, if you like your yolks a little runny, then simply cook them for less time. You just need to adjust cooking times based on personal preference and taste.

On top of that, microwaves offer various heat settings so that you can adjust cooking temperatures as well. So if you’re looking for an easy way to make poached eggs, then microwaving is definitely one of your best options.

5. Safe to Use

When it comes to preparing eggs, microwaves are far safer than stovetops. This is especially important for families with children.

With a microwave, you don’t have to worry about accidentally spilling boiling water or having your child touch a hot surface and get burned. As long as you follow cooking instructions carefully, microwaving is one of the safest options for cooking poached eggs.

Faqs About How to Make Poached Eggs in Microwave

1. How is a poached egg cooked?

The poached egg is an egg that has been cooked in a water bath. Unlike boiled or simmered eggs cooked by immersion in boiling liquid, a poached egg is not exposed to high heat.

Instead, a poaching liquid, consisting of vinegar and hot water, is brought just to a boil. You can use various cooking methods for making your perfect poached egg.

2. Do you use hot water to poach an egg in the microwave?

Instead, use cold water. The hot water will cause your poached egg to cook too quickly and not properly, leaving you with a distasteful greyish film over the white of your egg.

3. How long does it take to soft poach an egg in the microwave?

A soft poached egg will take between 1 and 2 minutes. However, this time depends on the number of eggs you are cooking and your microwave’s wattage. If you’re looking for a soft to hard-boiled egg, it will take about 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Do you need vinegar to poach eggs?

Yes, vinegar is a critical ingredient in poaching eggs. Vinegar makes egg whites firmer and more stable, preventing them from disintegrating when cracked into water.

5. How do I poach an egg without a poacher?

There are a few ways you can poach an egg without a poacher. The easiest way is to crack an egg into a microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of water. Then, cover with a lid and microwave it for 30 seconds.

After that, please remove it from the microwave and gently lift it from the water-filled bowl with a spatula.

6. Can you microwave an egg in the shell?

How to Make Poached Eggs in the MicrowaveNever microwave an egg in its shell. The egg will explode, and you’ll have a sticky mess. Instead, crack open your egg into a small bowl or ramekin before placing it into your microwave-safe container.

 

7. Why do poached eggs explode in the microwave?

The explosion of a poached egg in a microwave is caused by steam buildup. That’s why you should always poke holes in your egg yolks before cooking them in the microwave to allow steam to escape.

8. How do I poach an egg in the microwave without it exploding?

Poke a hole in the egg yolk using a pin, a small knife, or any other sharp object. This is done so that steam can escape, preventing it from building up and causing an explosion. Also, ensure you cook your eggs at medium-high power.

Final Thoughts

Poached eggs are a quick, healthy, and delicious alternative to fried or scrambled eggs. They can be served with toast for breakfast or as part of an appetizer spread. While they may seem challenging to make at first, they’re actually quite simple.

However, like any cooking technique, certain tricks will help ensure your poached eggs turn out perfect every time. The first one is to use fresh eggs. Fresh eggs have firmer yolk and thick whites, which will hold up better during poaching. Older eggs tend to produce runny yolks and thin whites.

Another tip is to crack your egg into a small dish before adding it to the boiling water. This way, if you accidentally drop it in, you won’t lose all of your eggs. And finally, use a slotted spoon when removing your eggs from the water so that excess water gets left behind.

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