20 Different Ways To Cook The Humble Egg


20 Different Ways To Cook The Humble Egg


Eggs. One of the most common pantry foods that most Americans have stocked up in their fridge. We use eggs in a variety of different dishes, whether you're using them for baking, to make dough, as a coating for fried food, or mixed into sauces. This humble ingredient is truly amazing when you think of all the ways it can be used. Let's try to cover 20 of them today, opening your eyes to some cooking methods you might not have known about before.


1. Fried Eggs

Arguably the most common method of cooking eggs, the fried egg is a classic. Perfect as a quick morning meal, great for going into sandwiches, topped on rice, and so much more, the fried egg is not only delicious, it's so easy to prepare. You can have it sunny-side up with the yolk nice and runny, over-easy with the yolk slightly cooked, or over-hard with a fully cooked yolk. How do you best prefer yours done?

Fried-Egg-703904 1280Image by Richard Eisenmenger from Pixabay

2. Scrambled Eggs

If you're not a big fan of egg yolks, your favourite way to eat eggs is likely scrambled. All whisked together and seasoned nicely, you're left with creamy and rich eggs that pair great with any breakfast food. There are a ton of different recipes online that all boast they have the "best scrambled egg recipe", so why not give them a go?

Scrambled-Eggs-6582990 1280Image by Mario Cvitkovic from Pixabay

3. Boiled Eggs

Depending on what you're making, sometimes the recipe calls for a good ol' boiled egg. Arguably the easiest method of preparation, all you need to do is place the eggs in some boiling water and carefully watch the time. Remove the eggs earlier and you're left with a delicious soft-boiled egg, but leave it in longer and you'll get a fully cooked through, hard-boiled one.

Alexander-Grey-Isqo85Jnvp8-UnsplashPhoto by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

4. Poached Eggs

Everyone who loves a creamy, runny yolk absolutely loves poached eggs. It's one of the best ways to get the most tender and creamy result. And there's no doubt that cutting into that oozing yolk will be Instagram-worthy each and every time. It's just so satisfying.

David-B-Townsend-Iqsdsfo9Uui-UnsplashPhoto by David B Townsend on Unsplash

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5. Omelette

If one egg just isn't doing it for you, how about combining several of them to make a filling and tasty omelette? Not only do you get to enjoy soft and fluffy eggs, but on the inside, there's a bunch of your favourite fillings like cheese, veggies, and meats all packed full. Customize it however you want!

Pexels-Klaus-Nielsen-6294361Klaus Nielsen on Pexels

6. Baked Eggs (Shakshuka)

With a name as fun as that, you know it's got to be good. Shaksuka, also known as baked eggs, features a delicious tomato sauce spiced with peppers, onions, and other seasonings. And right dab in the middle is a baked egg with the yolk still perfectly runny. It's served with some toasted bread that is great for dipping, creating an explosion of flavour with every bite. 

Manny-Nb-Kd93B4Xevcq-UnsplashPhoto by Manny NB on Unsplash

7. Deviled Eggs

A popular potluck item and appetizer, deviled eggs certainly give a unique take on this humble food. Taking the yolk from a hard-boiled egg, it's blended with other ingredients like mayo, mustard, and spices before being piped back directly into the egg white. It's like an elevated hard-boiled egg in a way.

Pexels-Busra-Yaman-54874398-17290375Büşra Yaman on Pexels

8. Egg Salad

Great in sandwiches or simply topped on a cracker, egg salad is a refreshing way to prepare eggs. After hard-boiling your eggs, chop them up until they're in small pieces. That's when the magic happens - mix it with mayo, mustard, diced celery, and some herbs to create a creamy and rich blend. 

Eggs-7064498 1280 (1)Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

9. Quiche

Just think of a quiche as an egg pie. This hearty way of cooking eggs is incredibly filling and satisfying to eat; you can pick your favourite foods to throw in the egg mixture, or simply use leftover ingredients from the fridge. All you need to do is bake it until everything is nicely set, leaving you with a thick and savory pie made out of eggs.

Angele-Kamp-Mqix Rr3D5Q-Unsplash (1)Photo by Angèle Kamp on Unsplash

10. Frittata

When it comes to food, you can always trust the Italians to know what they're doing, even with something as simple as cooking an egg. And with their classic egg dish the frittata being utterly delicious, they proved this to be true again. Just think of the frittata as a thick, Italian-style omelette that's packed with all the goodies like vegetables, meats, and cheeses. It's one breakfast item you'll race out of bed to eat.

Subagus-Indra-Qm9J0Tpesfe-UnsplashPhoto by Subagus Indra on Unsplash

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11. Coddled Eggs

Before you skip to the next item on this list because "coddled" eggs sounds a bit strange, hear us out! For all the soft egg lovers, this might be something you'll want to try. Gently cooked in a special coddling dish, the egg comes out somewhere between being poached and soft-boiled. It's quite simple, but just take some buttered, toasted bread and dip it in - you'll quickly see why it's so delicious.

512Px-Suran (Coddled Egg)Team CRM on Wikimedia Commons

12. Cloud Eggs

Cloud eggs sound a bit dreamy, don't they? It immediately makes you picture the fluffiest eggs ever. And in a way, they are! Prepared in a unique fashion where the egg whites are whipped until stiff, they're then baked with the yolk placed back in the center. While it does seem like a lot of extra work, you won't complain once you get a bite of that incredibly airy and light texture.

Egg-White-Snow-232655 1280Image by Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay

13. Tamago (Japanese Sweet Omelette)

If you love a bit of sweet and savory with your breakfast foods, you'll definitely appreciate what Japan's got cooking. Tamago, aka Japanese omelette, is such a fun way to prepare an egg. By repeatedly folding the thin layers in a custom rectangular pan, you're left with a light and fluffy layered egg that's seasoned with a bit of sweetness. 

1024Px-鳥焼き居酒屋 (39394233682)極地狐 on Wikimedia Commons

14. Basted Eggs

Not a huge fan of egg whites? If the soft, sometimes slimy texture is offputting to you, you might want to check out basted eggs. Essentially a fried egg with a runny yolk, you then pour a spoonful of hot fat or water to gently cook the rest of the whites on top. This means you'll still get that creamy yolk, but with whites that are fully cooked.

Pexels-Andiecumber-3568167Andie Cumber on Pexels

15. Spanish Tortilla

No, we don't mean tortilla as in the wrap used for burritos and tacos. A Spanish tortilla is a little bit different; it's essentially a thick omelette that's made with eggs, potatoes, and onions. It's a hearty mix of ingredients that will definitely leave you feeling satisfied and energized in the morning.

1024Px-Spanish Tortilla (5845088254)Luca Nebuloni from Milan, Italy on Wikimedia Commons

16. Eggs Benedict

A popular brunch item, Eggs Benedict is a classic dish that really highlights the beauty of eggs. While the toasted and buttered English muffin and bacon are delicious, it's the poached egg that really shines. You can't call your Eggs Benedict a good one if the yolk isn't perfectly runny. 

Pexels-Lorena-Villarreal-546639145-17792627Lorena Villarreal on Pexels

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17. Scotch Eggs

Over in the UK, they've created something truly bizarre and unique. Imagine a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs. Now picture that all deep-fried until the outside is nice and golden. Creating a one-bite explosion of flavour, the Scotch egg is truly amazing. It's easily packable too, making it great for picnics or potlucks.

1024Px-Scotch Eggs W- Mustard Sauce (8247871807)Sodanie Chea from Norwalk, Ca, United States

18. Steamed Eggs

It's so amazing to see how eggs can be served in a variety of different textures. One consistency we haven't yet explored is the steamed egg. This is arguably the most delicate and light egg dish of them all; the steaming process results in a silky, custardy egg that is light as air. Typically seasoned with soy sauce and garnished with green onions, it's a fantastic flavour and texture experience you have to try.

1024Px-蒸水蛋 - 基隆茶餐廳Andy Li, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

19. Century Eggs

While a name like century egg might scare you a little bit, we can assure you there's nothing to fear. Also known as preserved eggs, these are a staple in Chinese cuisine. By preserving duck, chicken, or quail eggs for several weeks to months at a time, you end up with these dark, scary-looking eggs. Don't worry though, they haven't gone bad. Just a heads up, the taste is rather strong and might not be suitable for many people. 

1024Px-Century Eggs With Pickle GingerTakeaway on Wikimedia Commons

20. Egg Drop Soup

Last but not least, we can't leave out the popular Chinese dish, egg drop soup. The name is essentially how you make it. By pouring (or "dropping") beaten eggs into the hot broth, you'll watch in amazement as beautiful ribbon-like strands form. The result is fluffy eggs that soak in all the wonderful flavours of the broth, leaving you with a comforting dish that will warm you right up.

1024Px-Egg Drop Soup (1)Masahiko OHKUBO from Kobe, Japan on Wikimedia Commons