A quick and easy shortcut method for making steamed eggs. This method is faster than the traditional steamed method for cooking, but still produces an egg custard dish with a silky and smooth texture.
I love eating steamed eggs. It’s healthy, delicious and easy. I previously shared traditional recipes for steamed eggs including Instant Pot Chinese Steamed Eggs and Korean Steamed Egg. And while I love making those traditional versions, the microwave version is the version I make most often because it is just so much faster.
When my siblings and I were little, this was the first dish we were allowed to cook unsupervised. We would often make this in the morning for breakfast, so this is a dish I’ve been making most of my life.
The egg custard won’t be quite as pretty (it wrinkles more when cooked in the microwave), but the texture is still soft and smooth. If I’m cooking this dish for my family, I’ll use one of the traditional methods. But if it’s just me, then I will just make a quick microwave version.
Steamed Versus Microwave
Steamed eggs cook the eggs much slower, which allows them to cook more evenly and develop a very soft and silky texture. When done correctly, the egg custard will look very smooth and pretty.
Microwave steamed eggs cook the egg much faster. As a result, the eggs are a little firmer and the cooking is a little uneven. You may have parts of the custard that are slightly more cooked, but overall the texture is still very soft– just not as soft as the steamed version. The microwave version also will not look as pretty. The surface of the custard will usually be more wrinkly.
How to Make Steamed Eggs in the Microwave
- The key to cooking steamed eggs in the microwave is cooking them at a lower cooking power. Most US microwaves cook somewhere between 1000 to 1200 watts at full power. For this recipe, you should cook at a reduced 700 watts (or as close to 700 watts as possible). You can do this by selecting the power level before the microwave starts cooking. This will prevent the eggs from overcooking too quickly or exploding in the microwave.
- First, the egg is whisked thoroughly with broth and a little salt. To avoid any clumps of egg white in your egg dish, make sure the egg is well beaten. For a very smooth consistency, you can also strain the egg mixture.
- The egg should be placed into a microwave-safe bowl and should only fill it about halfway so that the egg has enough room to expand as it cooks.
- Place a paper towel over the bowl before putting it in the microwave. This will help make sure the egg stays in the bowl while it cooks.
- One steamed egg will take around 2 minutes to cook. I recommend starting with 1 minute 30 seconds and then cooking more as needed at 15-second intervals.
- The egg will be extremely hot when it is finished cooking, so definitely let it cool a few minutes before enjoying. I like to garnish mine with fresh scallions and a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.
Cooking Tips
- The recipe below is for one egg. If you want a larger batch, you will need to adjust the cooking time.
- I don’t recommend cooking multiple single steamed egg bowls at once. You should cook each bowl individually because if you try to cook more than one bowl at once, they will not cook evenly.
Microwave Steamed Egg
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 4 oz chicken broth
- salt as needed
- 1 scallion thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a medium microwave-safe bowl, add egg and broth. Whisk until egg is thoroughly beaten and mixed with the broth. If your broth is low sodium or unsalted, you can stir in a pinch of salt. Your liquid level should only fill about half of the bowl, so your egg has enough room to rise.
- Cover the surface of the bowl with a paper towel. Set your microwave cooking power to 700 watts (or as close to 700 watts as possible). Cook the egg for approximately 2 minutes, or until done. I recommend starting with 1 minute 30 seconds and then checking on the egg and cooking more as needed in 15-second increments.
- Let the egg cool a few minutes before eating. Garnish with scallions. I also like to add a drizzle of toasted sesame oil for additional flavor.
Notes
- The key to cooking steamed eggs in the microwave is cooking them at a lower cooking power. To cook at 700 watts, you need to select the power level before the microwave starts cooking. For example if your microwave is 1000 watts, you would select power level 7 to cook at 70% or 700 watts. Cooking the eggs at too high power will cause them to be unstable and they may explode in the microwave.
- You can make a larger batch, but you will need to increase cooking time.
- Do not try to cook multiple single eggs at once, this will lead to them cooking unevenly. If you want to make multiple single ones, cook them one at a time.
- For an even smoother egg consistency, you can filter the whisked egg broth through a strainer before adding it to the bowl.
- When the egg is finished cooking, there will still be some broth not absorbed by the egg. This is completely normal.
- Estimated Nutrition information does not include salt added and is calculated using low sodium chicken broth.
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.
Hi Kirbie, Your recipes are wonderful! Thanks for sharing. This sounds great too, can’t wait to try.
If I want to make 2 eggs in the same bowl do I need to double the amount of broth to 8 oz?
Yes, you should double the broth. You will need to adjust the cooking time, too.
My stomach was not feeling great this morning, and wanted something simple and soothing for breakfast. Thanks for the microwave cooking tips. I think I’ve always cooked this at full power, so for two eggs at 50% for 5 minutes I got a more smooth and custardy egg texture.
We’re so glad it was a good breakfast for you!
wow! This turns out perfect! Thank you!
That’s great! Glad you loved it.
If you boil the broth(just nuke it for a minute or two) before slowly pouring it into the eggs while stirring continuously, it helps get the eggs pre-warmed so when you put it back in the microwave for the final step of cooking you end up with a much smoother result. You can also let the eggs hang out in a glass of warm water for a few minutes prior to cracking open for a less extreme pre-warm.
Thanks for sharing those tips!
So Good. If you use broth make sure to taste first before adding salt!
We’re so glad you liked the recipe!
Can one use 2 ounces of milk to beat the egg instead of 4 ounces of chicken broth and cook at 700 watts power?
Will it boil over? Have you tried it?
Thanks.
Sorry, but we haven’t tried that – milk will change the flavor (and maybe the texture) and if you use less it may not work. Let us know if you try it and how it goes.
Came out perfect! Thank you for posting this time saving version! I have been craving one of my childhood dishes forever!
I’m so glad it worked out well for you!
This is my standard way of easily making steamed eggs in the morning when I have the cravings. I usually fully cover it with a solid plate rather than a towel though, and I typically nuke it for around 2:30 at full power. It doesn’t look as smooth and custardy, but still tastes great! I’ve never had them explode, but the plate might just possibly contain the mess.
I’ve always had issues cooking at full power, but I’m glad you don’t!
a great info, I will try tomorrow morning. thank you
hope you enjoy!
I think its prefect . Microwaved eggs may not look that great, but they’re such saviours.
thank you!