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How to Make the Perfect Fried Egg

in Breakfast, Entrees, Recipes

A step-by-step tutorial explaining how to make the perfect fried egg.  Start practicing, and then enjoy eating fried eggs for breakfast, lunch, and brinner!

how_to_make_fried_egg 2 graphicI have always loved eggs, but we have been extra special BFFs these past 18 days.  Preparing Whole 30-compliant lunches and dinners is not hard at all, but I have found that my creativity in the breakfast department is lacking a bit.  I cannot eat toast.  I cannot eat pancakes or waffles.  I cannot eat oatmeal or breakfast bakes.  So what does that leave?  A lot more than you think … but also A LOT of eggs!

how_to_make_fried_eggEggs are easy, delicious, healthy, and quite versatile.  What’s not to like?

And while I enjoy omelets and scrambled eggs, my favorite way to cook my eggs is definitely to fry them.  Sometimes I leave the yolk runny, sometimes I cook the yolk to medium hardness, and often times I enjoy the yolk fully cooked through.  It just depends on my mood!  Lately, however, they have been looking a lot like this:

how_to_make_fried_egg 10Fried, crispy, and with a well-cooked yolk.  Don’t worry runny yolks, I still love ya.  But lately, I am really feeling this.

Since my fried eggs have been popping up on Instagram like crazy, I have received quite a few comments about how perfect my eggs are cooked and requests from those wanting to know my cooking technique.  When I find a good thing, I don’t like to keep it a secret.  I want y’all to be eating the perfect eggs, too!  It was only a matter of time before I photographed this step-by-step tutorial on exactly how I cook my eggs.  And while my egg in this photograph does not look nearly as pretty as it normally does (ironic, eh?), you get the gist!

I moved back and forth between my stovetop and photography area for the sake of lighting and prettiness, but obviously you will be at your stove!

How to Make the Perfect Fried Egg

how_to_make_fried_egg 3Making the perfect fried egg requires four essentials: an egg (duh), coconut oil, a frying pan, and a lid.  That’s it!

how_to_make_fried_egg 4Begin my adding about one teaspoon of coconut oil to your frying pan.  Heat it over medium-high heat.

how_to_make_fried_egg 5Once the pan is nice and hot, carefully crack the egg.  You want to ensure that you do not break the yolk.

how_to_make_fried_egg 6It should look like this.

how_to_make_fried_egg 7Once the egg has been cracked, put the lid on!  Aside from the coconut oil, the lid is the key to the perfectly fried egg.  The lid does not have to fit the skillet, but it needs to fully cover the egg and keep air out.  Another great reason to use a lid is to prevent oil splatter.

how_to_make_fried_egg 8Cook the egg for at least three to five minutes, or until the whites of the egg are firm.  You can stop here if you want a runny egg, or you can keep on cooking for a medium or hard yolk.  If you are not a runny egg fan, you’ll want to keep on reading!

how_to_make_fried_egg 9For this particular egg, I cooked it for an additional two to three minutes.  This egg yolk was completely cooked through.  You can always continue to fry it even longer if you like your eggs extra crispy.  Another trick is to use more coconut oil for added crispness.

how_to_make_fried_egg 11Just the way I have been loving them lately: with crispy edges!  I have also been topping mine off with mustard or salsa.  Most ketchups are a no-no on the Whole 30, so I am happy to have other condiment options that I love.

I hope this tutorial helps you get more delicious fried eggs into your life!  I’d love to hear your tips and tricks for cooking eggs in the comments below.

How to Make the Perfect Fried Egg #breakfast #Whole30 #vegetarian Click To Tweet
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{ 37 comments… add one }
  • Jessie July 23, 2015, 4:23 am
    I never knew about putting a lid over the skillet. Thanks for the tip. I do enjoy fried eggs.. runny.. yikes! Not so much :) Jessie recently posted...Loss of Appetite + I Overslept (WIAW)My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 8:47 am
      The lid is the ultimate trick! I hope you give it a try :)
  • Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health July 23, 2015, 6:14 am
    i loved all your fried egg dinners on IG. I never put the lid on, thanks for that tip. im more of a runny yolk person :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 8:47 am
      Runny yolk or not, the lid does the trick!!
  • Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie July 23, 2015, 8:16 am
    You know, I have never had a fried egg (shocking!). It looks pretty easy though, so I really need to deviate away from my scrambled eggs every now and then. Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie recently posted...Changing My PerspectiveMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 8:48 am
      I LOVE my eggs fried! Scrambled are good, but I am almost always craving the fried version.
  • Michele @ paleorunningmomma July 23, 2015, 8:35 am
    This is my kind of post ;) I like my eggs very crispy but with the yolk still a bit runny, so I only cover my pan for 30 seconds or so after the egg is crispy, but my kids like the yolk firm so I make them almost exactly as you describe and it's a win every time :) Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted...The Other Side of Motivation – TOLMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 8:49 am
      Isn't it amazing how many different ways you can kick an egg? 'Gotta love how versatile they are :)
  • David Norton July 23, 2015, 8:37 am
    One minor technicality: "Over easy" (medium, hard) means exactly that: you flip the egg OVER and cook it on the other side for 15, 30, or 60 seconds. What you are doing is cooking the yolk through, and that's fine, but it isn't really what "over" means.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 10:18 am
      Haha! And that is proof that while I can cook the eggs, I definitely am not educated on the proper terms ;) I'll have to make some updates to this post as soon as I get a chance. Thanks!
  • Miranda @ Miranda Writes Blog July 23, 2015, 9:12 am
    I've always been terrible at fried eggs! I need to try the lid trick next time. About a year ago I bought one of those healthy non-stick skillets. I think it's called Green Pan. That thing is amazing for cooking eggs! Miranda @ Miranda Writes Blog recently posted...The Makeup Mix-Up: Craving CoralMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 12:48 pm
      Yes! You should definitely try the lid trick. I swear, it works wonders!
  • Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies July 23, 2015, 9:36 am
    The lid is SO important to a perfect egg! And we've been loving runny yolks lately, but I normally use water instead of oil because I don't like when the edges get crispy (is that weird?). Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies recently posted...Field Roast Factory TourMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 12:49 pm
      Not at all! They are definitely way harder to eat/cut when they are crispy. But somehow I manage ;)
  • Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious July 23, 2015, 10:56 am
    I didn't know about the needing oil for fried eggs. How did I not know this? Great how to girl! Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted...Dear Body This Is My PleaMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 12:50 pm
      It's okay.. I didn't know until I started cooking with coconut oil a lot about 6 months ago!! ; )
  • Jamie | The Kitchenarium July 23, 2015, 11:09 am
    Runny yolk fan here but I do use a lid to help set the white a little faster. It is one of my favorite tips. Jamie | The Kitchenarium recently posted...Diabetic Living: Meals in MinutesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 12:50 pm
      Yes!! I love that the lid trick works for both runny and hard yolks!
  • Liz July 23, 2015, 12:14 pm
    You make it look so easy! My fried eggs always turn into scrambled eggs..not on purpose :) Liz recently posted...How do you Make Success Mandatory?My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 23, 2015, 12:51 pm
      Haha!! You should give this tutorial a try. I promise, you can do it!
  • Shann Eva July 23, 2015, 2:13 pm
    I did not know the lid trick. Coconut oil also sounds like a good way to go. I really love eggs! Shann Eva recently posted...5 Summer SaversMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 24, 2015, 9:40 am
      Yes to both the lid and coconut oil. Please try it!
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul July 23, 2015, 3:48 pm
    I wish I liked fried eggs! I love scrambled ones though! Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted...Wishlist: Summer EditionMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 24, 2015, 10:06 am
      Have you made fried eggs with the yolk completely cooked so that they aren't runny? Maybe you would like them that way?
  • GiGi Eats July 23, 2015, 9:40 pm
    Mmmmm runny yolks are THE BEST!! GiGi Eats recently posted...Guess The Food, Taiwan Edition!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 24, 2015, 10:07 am
      I know, right? I am SO glad that I am a fan of them since I know some people just can't "do" runny yolks.
  • Shannon July 23, 2015, 10:28 pm
    Ooh! I have never tried cooking an egg in coconut oil. My husband makes amazing fried eggs but he swears by using butter to make them perfect, but I always want mine to be more healthy. I'll have to try this out! Shannon recently posted...How to Set Up Rich Pins Using YoastMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 24, 2015, 10:09 am
      Yes! I think coconut oil is definitely a healthier option. Let me know if you give it a try for your eggs!
  • Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola July 24, 2015, 4:32 pm
    Whenever I have a perfectly-cooked egg, whether it's fried, scrambled or even an omelet, I always admire it like it's a work of art :)
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2015, 11:09 pm
      I know, right? It can take awhile to perfect them, but once you do you have to be a bit proud of yourself ;)
  • Gina July 24, 2015, 6:14 pm
    Great tutorial! I've always been a scrambled egg kinda girl, but after Whole30, I got kind of sick of them. I'll have to try my eggs fried now! Gina recently posted...{Currently} JulyMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2015, 11:10 pm
      Scrambled eggs are definitely good, but it is always nice to mix things up every now and then!
  • Maegan July 25, 2015, 12:14 pm
    Hi, Hannah! I discovered your blog a few months ago and I've been wondering how you make your eggs ever since! I love eggs, but I typically make them over easy since I don't like the whites to anything other than thoroughly and completely set. I'll have to try the lid trick tomorrow. :) Also, where'd you find that blue skillet? It's beautiful!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl July 25, 2015, 11:11 pm
      The lid trick is a MUST! You definitely need to try it out. I found the blue skillet at World Market. That store sucks me in every time ;)
  • Larissa February 5, 2017, 1:53 pm
    Thank you so much for this amazing life hack! I use coconut oil for many other things, but this fried egg recipe turned it perfectly. I have been struggling with clean eating lately, and fell into a bit of depression. I truly enjoyed my meal and didn't feel any guilt from it. I also added some salsa as you suggested, and a little bit of pepper and sriracha. Best egg ever! (Hope the sriracha isn't cheating too badly) Thanks for sharing. Will be following you! Love and light ?✨
    • ClnEatingVegGrl February 6, 2017, 8:17 am
      I'm so glad you tried it and enjoyed it!!
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