The classic Chinese steamed eggs dish comes out perfectly silky and smooth when cooked in the Instant Pot. This is now my favorite way to make this savory custard egg dish.
Steamed eggs is a popular method for cooking eggs in Chinese cuisine. Eggs are whisked with chicken broth and steamed until cooked, creating a creamy, savory custard. When made correctly, the egg texture is extremely light, delicate and silky.
Growing up, I ate steamed eggs as often as I ate hard boiled, sunny-side up or scrambled eggs. Over the years, I’ve seen my mom experiment with various methods for making steamed eggs, ranging from the traditional stove-top steaming method to a short-cut microwave version.
After having a lot of success with steamed recipes with my Instant Pot, I decided to try making my favorite steamed eggs dish. And the result was amazing! I can’t imagine making steamed eggs any other way again. Using the pressure cooker creates a consistent cooking pressure, which allows the eggs to cook evenly all the way through. Usually when I make this dish, I’ll have certain parts that will be slightly overcooked.
However this pressure cooker version comes out perfectly cooked, with the most wonderful silky texture.
Cooking Tips
- I found the ideal ratio of egg to broth should be 1:2. If you are using different-sized eggs, make sure to adjust your amount of chicken broth as well.
- To achieve the smooth silky texture, it is important that you strain your egg mixture first.
- You must completely seal your egg batter with foil while cooking. If the foil is loose, it can cause your eggs to overcook.
- Some people like serving the eggs with soy sauce. I prefer a little drizzle of toasted sesame oil and fresh scallions.
Instant Pot Steamed Eggs
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 6 oz chicken broth
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 green scallion thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add eggs and broth. Beat with a whisk until smooth. Pour egg mixture through a strainer and into another bowl. If there are any bubbles on the surface, deflate them.
- Wrap foil tightly over your bowl, so that no moisture from the Instant Pot can drop onto the egg batter.
- Add 1 cup of water to your Instant Pot (keep in mind some models of the Instant Pot may require more or less water to get it started). Place trivet inside and place your bowl on top of the trivet.
- Seal Instant Pot. Set to low pressure and cook for 6 minutes. Allow Instant Pot to do a natural release.
- Once the release is finished, remove lid. Remove foil from bowl. Drizzle egg with sesame oil and finish with scallions. Serve while egg is still hot.
Notes
- I found the ideal ratio of egg to broth should be 1:2. To calculate this, whisk your eggs and pour into a liquid measuring cup. Then add double the amount of broth.
- To achieve the smooth silky texture, it is important that you strain your egg mixture first.
- You must completely seal your egg batter with foil while cooking. If the foil is loose, it can cause your eggs to overcook.
- Some people like serving the eggs with soy sauce. I prefer a little drizzle of toasted sesame oil and fresh scallions.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
How long do we have to wait for natural release. Has anyone tried it out and roughly know the timing?
The natural release will take about five minutes or so.
Literally some of the best eggs I have eaten! My large eggs measured 4 oz, so I did 8 oz of chicken broth. Cooked for the same amount of time, except I forgot to go back and check on them until 15 minutes after they finished. They were still warm and cooked perfectly! I used the sesame oil and scallions, but I think I would prefer it without the oil. I can’t wait to share this with my daughter! I think she will love it!
We’re so glad you loved it!
Easy and delicious! My new breakfast go to.
That’s great!
I’m confused about your directions, you state the egg to broth ratio should be 1:2 but I think you mean 1:1. Is what you mean that if there is 3/4 cup of egg after you’re done whisking, then you add 3/4 cup of broth? If so, that’s a 1:1 ratio. Right now it reads as if you mean to add 1.5 cups of broth to 3/4 cup of eggs, and that seems like too much.
The correct ratio is 1:2. This means if you measure 3/4 cup whisked eggs you need to add double that amount for the broth (1 1/2 cups). You need more broth than eggs in order to get the silky smooth texture.
I’m sick and needed some comfort food. My sick brain spaced out on covering the bowl, but I lucked out and it turned out fine! Thanks for the instructions.
We’re glad you enjoyed it! Hope you feel better soon.
I was wondering if this could be preferred ahead of time and be reheated?
We don’t recommend reheating steamed eggs – when you reheat them, the eggs will end up overcooked, and the texture won’t be the same.
The recipe worked perfect for me! I added homemade garlic chili oil and scallions and it was perfect. I am shocked. Definitely hit the spot!
So glad you loved it!
Having trouble as well. I did everything exactly and it was just liquid. I have an instant pot duo evo plus. Any advice?
We’re sorry you had trouble – if everything was just liquid (eggs not cooked at all) it may have to do with your IP and the cooking time. Different models work differently so you may need to increase the time. Also, just to check – did you use the correct ratio of eggs to broth?
This recipe did not work for me and I followed it accurately. Like a previous responder, the egg was floating in the broth.
Only one person commented having issues and that person doubled the time which was not the right thing to do.
If you separate the egg into smaller ramekins / sauce dishes, would you decrease the cook time? Or leave it the same? Thanks!
Sorry I have not tested with separating into smaller portions. I think the cooking time may need to be decreased
I made double the recipe and doubled the time. I had 200gm egg and 400gm broth.
The broth separated from the egg. In the final product I was left with egg floating in half the quantity of broth.
double the recipe does not necessarily mean double the time when cooking in the IP, so you likely cooked too long. Also as stated in the recipe notes, to get your 1:2 ratio, you should be measuring the liquid volume not weight.
I’ve probably made this recipe two dozen times and every time it’s perfect! So simple and comforting. I use a 16oz ceramic soup mug but the bowls you use are way cuter!
I’m so glad you like the recipe!
Great recipe! It turned out great. I tripled the recipe and the cooking time.
I’m so glad it worked out for you!
I do not own an instant pot but a conventional pressure cooker that I would like to use. Do I put the ceramic bowl atop a steamer rack?
yes
You mention that the ratio 1:2 egg to broth ratio, but in the recipe it calls for 2 eggs and 6 oz of broth which is a 1:3 ratio. Which ratio is the correct one? Thanks!
You need to convert the eggs into ounces to get your 1:2 ratio. 2 eggs beaten measures about 3 oz liquid which is why I used 6 oz of broth.
1 large egg weighs 2 oz. Therefore, for 2 large eggs (4 oz total), you should use 8 oz of broth.
You are confusing weight with volume. The average weight of a large egg is about 2 oz but the liquid volume is around 1.5-1.6 oz. You need to pour your egg into a liquid measuring cup to determine the actual volume of the egg and the 1:2 ratio is for liquid volume, not weight.
Can you use any ceramic bowl for this?
It needs to be safe for heating to high temperature.
Wow! Looks so delicious! Judging from the photos, it’s a very successful one.
I am really happy with how it turned out!
Can these be made ahead and placed in fridge?
You can store them in the fridge for several days. The only issue is reheating them – warming them up will cook them more which will change the texture of the eggs. For that reason, we don’t usually make them ahead.