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The Secret to Perfect Scrambled Eggs

Follow these 8 simple steps and you'll serve perfect scrambled eggs every time.
By Lauren Donaldson
Whether your eggs are small or large, brown or white, you'll want to start with cold eggs. Keep them in the refrigerator until you're ready to make the perfect scrambled eggs.
Q&S Digital Studio
Scrambled eggs are a delicious, quick meal, but there is a science to getting them just right. Should you use cold eggs or room-temperature eggs? Do you add milk or water? When should you add the eggs to the pan? Follow these 8 simple steps and you'll serve perfect scrambled eggs every time. Looking for more eggstravagant eats? Check out these 21 delicious egg recipes. Plus fill your eggcyclopedia with these fun facts.Now that you've got scrambled eggs down, give omeletes a try. Watch Jacques Pépin demonstrate how to make a classic French omelet.
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Step 1: Choose Your Eggs

Whether your eggs are small or large, brown or white, you'll want to start with cold eggs. Keep them in the refrigerator until you're ready to make the perfect scrambled eggs.
Q&S Digital Studio
Whether your eggs are small or large, brown or white, you'll want to start with cold eggs. Keep them in the refrigerator until you're ready to make the perfect scrambled eggs.
2

Step 2: Prepare the Eggs

Crack the eggs into a bowl. Beat with a fork or whisk the eggs until they turn a pale yellow color. Add a pinch of salt and fresh black pepper.
Magdalena Kucova/Istock
Crack the eggs into a bowl. Beat with a fork or whisk the eggs until they turn a pale yellow color. Add a pinch of salt and fresh black pepper.
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3

Step 3: Water or Milk?

If you like fluffier scrambled eggs, add 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of water per egg. If you prefer creamy eggs, add 1 tablespoon of milk for each egg.
Ina Peters/Istock
If you like fluffier scrambled eggs, add 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of water per egg. If you prefer creamy eggs, add 1 tablespoon of milk for each egg.
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Step 4: Prepare the Pan

You'll need a small frying pan to cook your eggs, preferably <a href="/kitchen/cookware-reviews/best-nonstick-cookware" target="_blank">nonstick</a>. Warm the pan over medium-low heat. Hold your hand roughly six inches from the pan. When you begin to feel warmth rising, the pan is ready for the butter.
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You'll need a small frying pan to cook your eggs, preferably nonstick. Warm the pan over medium-low heat. Hold your hand roughly six inches from the pan. When you begin to feel warmth rising, the pan is ready for the butter.
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Step 5: Butter It Up

Slowly melt enough butter to lightly coat the pan. When the butter begins to foam, it's time to add the eggs. If you notice the butter beginning to brown, the pan is too hot. Discard the butter, let the pan cool somewhat, and wipe the pan clean with a folded paper towel. Redo the process from Step 4.
Lara Robby/Studio D
Slowly melt enough butter to lightly coat the pan. When the butter begins to foam, it's time to add the eggs. If you notice the butter beginning to brown, the pan is too hot. Discard the butter, let the pan cool somewhat, and wipe the pan clean with a folded paper towel. Redo the process from Step 4.
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Step 6: Pour It and Leave It

After you pour the egg mixture into the frying pan, let stand for roughly 10 seconds, or until the eggs begin to set. If you want fluffier eggs, let set a few more seconds.
Jakub Semeniuk/Istock
After you pour the egg mixture into the frying pan, let stand for roughly 10 seconds, or until the eggs begin to set. If you want fluffier eggs, let set a few more seconds.
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Step 7: A Gentle Stir

Use a wooden spoon or heat-resistant rubber spatula to gently stir the egg mixture as it begins to form curds. Continue to stir until there is no liquid egg mixture left. Turn off the heat and continue stirring the eggs gently until all of the uncooked parts get firm. If you're adding any other ingredients such as <a href="/recipes/cooking-recipes/cooking-fresh-herbs" target="_blank">fresh herbs</a>, this is the time to do so. Cooking should take between 2 to 5 minutes.
Stephen Rees/Istock
Use a wooden spoon or heat-resistant rubber spatula to gently stir the egg mixture as it begins to form curds. Continue to stir until there is no liquid egg mixture left. Turn off the heat and continue stirring the eggs gently until all of the uncooked parts get firm. If you're adding any other ingredients such as fresh herbs, this is the time to do so. Cooking should take between 2 to 5 minutes.
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