Microwave Poached eggs give you a perfectly poached egg in about a minute! If you’re like me, you love your eggs buttery soft and a touch on the runny in the very middle (poached medium)! Read on for tips on how to achieve the perfect poached eggs made in the microwave for a quick breakfast or lunch.
Poached eggs are the perfect addition to just about any breakfast. They’re delicious on eggs benedict, crepes, plain toast, or avocado toast!
What is a Poached Egg?
Traditional poached eggs are made by cracking an egg and gently cooking, with yolk intact, in simmering water (instead of frying in oil). Poaching has several advantages over frying and soft boiling:
- It’s easier to keep the yolk whole because there is no flipping.
- It’s a better way to serve eggs on top of toast or English muffins. The white cooks up silky soft with a flattened bottom and an intact yolk.
How to Poached an Egg in the Microwave
Poached eggs aren’t as daunting as they seem, especially this easy microwave recipe. It makes these perfect avocado toast toppers a cinch! To make microwaved poached eggs:
- Add the water and vinegar to a microwave safe bowl
- Crack the egg into the bowl and gently poke the yolk a few times with a toothpick. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
- Microwave for 1 minute, and an additional 15-20 seconds depending on how you like your eggs cooked. I love them on the softer side when they’re on toast, but it’s totally up to you!
Because microwaves vary so much, it make take you one or two tries to figure out the exact timing for your own microwave.
How Long to Poach an Egg in the Microwave
1 minute will be the base amount of time to get a soft poach, but it depends on the wattage of your microwave, the bowl you use, and the size of your eggs.
If you’re adding time (I suggest adding it in 5-10 second intervals), watch the egg carefully to ensure it doesn’t overcook. Adding just a few seconds will cook the egg more than you might expect. Remember to remove it from the water right away so it doesn’t continue to cook.
More Eggtastic Recipes
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs – super easy
- Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs – these always turn out!
- Make Ahead Egg Muffins – the best weeknight breakfast
- Avocado Egg Salad – perfect for potlucks
- Denver Egg Casserole – a delicious brunch
- How to Make Fried Eggs – so easy to make
Microwave Poached Eggs
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- ⅛ teaspoon white vinegar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Add water and vinegar to a microwavable dish (I used a measuring cup)
- Crack egg into the water and gently poke yolk 4-5 times with a toothpick. Cover with plastic wrap.
- Microwave 1 minute. Check egg and cook an additional 15-20 seconds if needed. Remove from water immediately to stop it from cooking.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
40 seconds in a 1000 watt microwave is plenty, 1 minute in mine yields bullets…
I’m sure this works well, but not many people cook a single egg. Have you experimented with two eggs?
I haven’t tried this with 2 eggs, I would think you will need to increase cook time but I can’t say for sure how long or how it will work. If you try it I would love to hear how it turns out!
Thank you for this straightforward recipe and especially the measurements for the water and vinegar. Worked perfectly.
You’re welcome, Virginia! Glad you enjoyed it.
I am a tween and I made this myself without any help I did a minute and 20 secs in the microwave and it worked great!
First attempt: Didn’t read all the instructions and the thing blew up.
Second attempt: Poked with toothpick, but still didn’t read all the instructions… 45 seconds I heard the egg make a small explosion. Took it out. Perfect!
Next time, will use plastic wrap. Lol
Absolutely perfect!!! Never do it on the stove again!!
Egg was hard cooked and blew up at 45 seconds. I used a small ceramic ramekin.
Sorry to hear that CL, did you poke the eggs with a toothpick? Step 2 says to gently poke yolk 4-5 times with a toothpick.
These were very good. I did 4 little bowls at one. It took about 3 minutes and I did over cook them a little but still good. I will try this again some day and hopefully get it right.
The egg came out nicely. I am wondering if you can use the same water to make an additional egg or if you need to start over each time. Thanks for sharing.
I usually start over.
The poached egg came out great — thanks so much. I especially appreciated the tip for the type of glass bowl to cook it in, as that size resulted in just the right size for English-muffin sandwich. Note: I used apple-cider vinegar and it tasted fine.
Thanks for sharing your tip with apple cider vinegar John!
Hi,
Your recipe is much like my own, but mine was always hit or miss. Yours is very precise. For example, use 1/2 cup water and 1/8 tsp of vinegar. I would splash in some vinegar and splash in some water and sometimes, the egg tasted too vinegary. Knowing exactly how much to use every single time is nice to know. The timing is more precise too. Thank you for bothering to offer a recipe that makes life easier even though it is very basic.
Enjoy Joan! :)
How would I do this making 3 eggs at a time?
I haven’t tried this with 3 eggs, I would think you will need to increase cook time but I can’t say for sure how long or how it will work.