How Long To Boil Quail Eggs & How To Serve Them - the ultimate guide to cooking and serving these elegant little bites. How to cook them, serving suggestions and flavor pairings, and top tips to get them right every time.
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I love serving these dainty eggs as a canape for parties, as their small size is the perfect bite. But this means it is easy to overcook them, and care needs to be taken when cooking quail eggs. If you've ever been on the receiving end of a rubbery quail egg, you'll know it's important to get it right!
See the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for step-by-step instructions on how to cook quail eggs perfectly every time.
How long to boil quail eggs
Before you begin, prepare a bowl of very cold water with ice (an ice bath) to place the cooked quail eggs into to stop them from cooking further. Bring the eggs to room temperature first, and don't boil fresh quail eggs straight out of the fridge, as they can crack.
Take the raw eggs out of the fridge for 45 minutes, then bring a saucepan of salted water to a gentle rolling boil.
Boil quail eggs for one and a half minutes for soft-boiled eggs, two minutes for medium-boiled eggs, or two and a half minutes for hard-boiled eggs. Remove with a slotted spoon to the ice water bath.
Top tip
Use a timer to make sure you know exactly how long to boil quail eggs, and don't estimate. They are very easy to overcook! Make sure that bowl of ice water is ready to halt the cooking process.
How to peel quail eggs
To peel quail eggs, dry them with a paper towel and then tap the fat end of the egg on a clean, hard surface to crack the shell. Gently roll the egg on the surface to help break up the shell further and peel it off. It helps to get your thumb under the membrane.
You can also use a small paring knife to peel the shell from the eggs, but be careful not to pierce the egg whites.
Soft-boiled quail eggs with a runny yolk will be the hardest to peel as they can split open. Hard-boiled quail eggs are the easiest.
Top tip
Some people prefer to soak boiled quail eggs in white vinegar for several hours to dissolve the shell, and then only the membrane remains. This is certainly a faster way to peel quail eggs, but the result will be a slightly pickled taste.
How to serve quail eggs
Quail's eggs make a delicious addition to a canape spread; try some of these ideas at your next party:
- Serve quail eggs with celery salt for the classic flavor pairing. You can make your own homemade celery salt by crushing celery seeds with salt crystals in a pestle and mortar.
- Dust peeled boiled quail eggs with cayenne pepper and finely grated parmesan cheese for a spicy, savory kick.
- Simply use a sprinkle of salt and freshly cracked black pepper to elevate plain boiled eggs into an easy canape or snack.
- Make scotch quail eggs if you're feeling adventurous!
Top tip
I allow 3-4 quail eggs per person if serving as canapes or hors d’oeuvres, and I include cocktail sticks on the serving platter for guests to pick them up with.
Wine pairing for quail eggs
A chilled and acidic white wine will work well with quail's eggs. If serving quail eggs and celery salt, try a young Champagne, a Pinot Gris, or German Reisling.
I often serve this easy recipe for quail eggs with these elegant salmon roe canapes and caviar and creme fraiche vol au vents.
Storage
Quail's eggs are best enjoyed fresh, immediately after boiling and peeling. Once they have been refrigerated, they run a greater risk of being rubbery. But you can store boiled quail eggs in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days.
Equipment
You will need a small saucepan to cook quail eggs and a slotted spoon to gently place them into and remove them from the water.
FAQ
If you place cold eggs into boiling hot water, the sudden rising pressure in the air pocket within the eggs can cause them to crack. Bring eggs to room temperature before boiling them.
Allow 3-4 quail eggs per guest at a party if serving as canapes.
Quails are a small game bird, and their eggs are a delicious and dainty snack. They are tiny eggs compared to regular chicken eggs or duck eggs and are often served as canapes.
📖 Recipe
How Long To Boil Quail Eggs & How To Serve Them
Ingredients
- 24 quail eggs
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
Instructions
- Take the quail eggs out of the fridge to bring them to room temperature.
- Prepare an ice water bath and bring a saucepan of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Use a slotted spoon to gently place the raw quail's eggs into the boiling water.
- Boil quail eggs for 1 ½ minutes for a soft boil/runny yolk.Boil quail eggs for 2 minutes for a medium boil/semi soft yolk. Boil quail eggs for 2 ½ minutes for a hard boil/set yolk.
- Remove eggs to the ice bath to stop them from cooking using a slotted spoon and allow them to cool before peeling.
- Dry eggs with a paper towel and tap the fat end on a surface to crack the shell before gently rolling the egg on its side and peeling the shell off.
- Grind the salt, pepper, and celery seeds in a pestle and mortar and serve with the eggs and a pot of cocktail sticks.
Notes
Nutrition
Other easy canape recipes
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