How to boil quail eggs and peel them! The cook time for quail eggs is so different because of their tiny size. Timing is everything to achieve the perfect soft boiled or hard boiled quail eggs.
"You do know what you have here, right?" This is the question my local farmer offered up when checking me out this week. He wanted to be sure I knew these were quail eggs and not chicken eggs! I guess not many people know what they are until they open the carton at home in surprise and even fewer people seem to know what to do with them. When I told him I planned to make pickled quail eggs, he told me that was a good choice!
Step one, make hardboiled quail eggs. That's what we're here for today. It takes a lot less time to make these than it does to make hard boiled eggs from chicken eggs since they're so tiny.
Set your timer!
When cooking quail eggs, you bring your water to a boil before placing your eggs in the pot and setting the timer. Here's how many minutes it takes to boil quail eggs:
- Soft boiled quail eggs boiling time: 2 minutes.
- Hard boiled quail eggs boiling time: 3 minutes 30 seconds.
How to peel quail eggs
- Remove the quail eggs from their ice bath.
2. Gently roll them on a hard surface using light pressure.
3. Peel off the shells carefully and enjoy!
Quail Egg FAQs
Use room temperature eggs so that there will be fewer cracked eggs. When you put eggs from the fridge into boiling water, they are more likely to crack open. I also find that adding a pinch of salt to the boiling water helps prevent some cracking as well.
When peeling quail eggs it's important to not apply too much pressure on them. After boiling, carefully move them into a bowl of ice water. Once they have cooled completely, gently tap and roll them on a hard surface with the tips of your fingers or the palm of your hand. Peel the shell away carefully!
Sourcing quail eggs
When looking to buy quail eggs, your local farmers will be the best place to purchase from! Farmer's markets and small shops may have them on hand. Tools such as local harvest are great for finding your nearest source.
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Uses
Here are some ideas for how to use boiled quail eggs.
- Pickled quail eggs - Easy and uniquely cute, pickle your quail eggs to change up the flavor!
- Bento box lunch - These tiny eggs are the perfect size for a bento box.
- Ramen - Add a soft or hard boiled quail egg to your next cup of ramen noodles.
- Salads - Any salad you would add a "normal" hardboiled egg to can easily have quail eggs added instead!
- Toddler snack - Little hands can easily hold and eat these tiny eggs as a midday snack.
- Breakfast - Prepare ahead of time to enjoy a few boiled quail eggs with your breakfast toast in the morning! These are great for busy mornings.
What you need
- 12 quail eggs
- Water
- A pinch of salt
- Medium-sized pot with lid
- Slotted spoon
- Medium-sized bowl
- Water and ice
Recipe
- Fill a pot less than halfway with water. Bring to a boil.
2. Using your slotted spoon, carefully add in your quail eggs. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Place the lid on.
3. Boil your quail eggs for 2 minutes for soft boiled eggs or 3 minutes 30 seconds for hard boiled eggs.
4. Fill a medium-sized bowl with ice and cold water.
5. Remove from heat. Using your slotted spoon, carefully remove your quail eggs from the pot and add them to your ice water.
6. Allow them to cool.
7. To peel the eggs, carefully roll them on a hard surface. Be gentle so they do not end up mushed!
8. Carefully peel the shells off and serve!
Recipe Notes
- Quail egg cooking time: 2 minutes for soft boiled / 3 minutes 30 seconds for hard boiled.
- Have your eggs at room temperature before boiling to ensure there are fewer cracked eggs.
- When peeling quail eggs, use gentle pressure and work slowly so you don't end up squishing them!
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How to Boil Quail Eggs
Ingredients
- 12 quail eggs
- Water
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Fill a pot less than halfway with water. Bring to a boil.
- Using your slotted spoon, carefully add in your quail eggs. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Place the lid on.
- Boil your quail eggs for 2 minutes for soft boiled eggs or 3 minutes 30 seconds for hard boiled eggs.
- Fill a medium-sized bowl with ice and cold water.
- Remove from heat. Using your slotted spoon, carefully remove your quail eggs from the pot and add them to your ice water.
- Allow them to cool.
- To peel the eggs, carefully roll them on a hard surface. Be gentle so they do not end up mushed!
- Carefully peel the shells off and serve!
Mariana
Monique,
I hope you enjoy adding them to your salads!
-Mariana
Monique
Our local farmstand has been selling quail eggs so I bought I dozen (they were too cute to pass up). So excited to boil a few for salads.