You don’t have to go out to a cafe for the ultimate scrambled eggs. It’s totally possible to get the perfect consistency when cooking at home.
How to make perfect scrambled eggs
Taste.com.au’s Food Director Michelle Southan has scrambled a LOT of eggs in her time. She says: “Moist, soft, cloud-like folds of creamy egg is the result you’re aiming for.” Before you start cooking, you need the right ratio of milk or cream to egg because cooked egg only holds a certain amount of liquid. You must measure the amount of liquid carefully. “Too much will cause the egg to ‘weep’ moisture,” says Michelle.
How much milk to add to scrambled eggs
Using the ratio of 2 tsp of liquid for each egg prevents your scrambled eggs oozing out excess moisture. Follow this ratio for perfect scrambled eggs, every time.
- 8 eggs to 80ml (1/3 cup)
- 6 eggs to 60ml (1/4 cup)
- 4 eggs to 40ml or 2 tablespoons
- 2 eggs to 20ml or 1 tablespoon
- 1 egg to 10ml or 2 teaspoons
When should you add salt to scrambled eggs?
Michelle says you want to season your egg mixture with salt before you start cooking. Why? “The salt prevents the proteins in the yolks from binding together too tightly as they heat,” she reveals. “This helps the egg to stay moist and tender.” In other words, it helps to prevent your scrambled eggs from turning out hard and rubbery.
Any other tips before cooking the eggs? “Use a fork to whisk the egg mixture lightly until the ingredients are just combined. Don’t over-whisk the mixture too much!” Michelle advises.
How to cook scrambled eggs
The one rule you absolutely must not break when making scrambled eggs is: only cook them on medium heat. To avoid dry, flaky eggs, don’t overheat the pan. Michelle says: “If the heat is too high, it will cause the eggs to stick. Once you add the egg mixture to the pan, keep the mixture moving slowly. The best spoon to fold with is a flat-topped wooden spoon, if you have one.”
The key thing to do is to push the spoon through the mixture, and then lift and fold the eggs. “You want to do this around every 10 seconds, including around the pan edge,” she says. “Don’t stir it vigorously or you’ll end up with little lumps rather than folds of scrambled eggs.”
The secret to perfect scrambled eggs
Michelle says that a lot of people ruin scrambled eggs because they keep them on the heat too long. She says: “The last bit of cooking happens off the heat, so timing is everything! Only cook the egg until it looks three-quarters done. Then quickly remove the pan from the heat. The residual heat of the pan will finish the cooking.”
It will be done in about as much time is required to butter your toast!
Watch this step-by-step video to see how to make scrambled eggs.
Perfect scrambled eggs: step 1
Use a fork to whisk 8 eggs with 80 ml (1/3 cup) thickened cream or milk in a bowl. Using the ratio of 2 tsp of liquid for each egg prevents your scrambled eggs oozing out excess moisture.
Perfect scrambled eggs: step2
Heat 10g butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the egg mixture. Cook, lifting and pushing with a wooden spoon from the outside to the centre – this keeps it light and fluffy.
Perfect scrambled eggs: step 3
Cook for 2 minutes or until three-quarters of the mixture is cooked. Remove pan from heat and gently fold the mixture twice. The residual heat will finish the cooking.
Try these scrambled egg ideas:
1) After removing from heat in step 3, fold in crumbled feta and dill, or mascarpone and chives.
2) For a cafe-style breakfast, serve scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, sauteÌed mushrooms with sliced avocado, or roast tomato with crispy prosciutto.
3) If you haven’t tried cheesy scrambled eggs before, they’re a great way to elevate your eggs – and the kids love them!
Can you cook scrambled eggs in the microwave?
Yes, you really can. While we always prefer the stove-top method when we have the option, if you’re making eggs in the office kitchen or away from home, we reckon this microwave scrambled eggs recipe is the best we’ve found.
More egg hacks:
- Air fryer ‘boiled’ eggs
- Pie maker egg breakfast muffins
- How to make cloud eggs
