How to Make the Best Scrambled Eggs Without Milk or Cream
I learned this method in culinary school and never looked back. These eggs are creamy perfection!
The Best Scrambled Eggs Recipe
I’ve been making scrambled eggs since my father taught me when I was ten. For over 25 years, I’ve been perfecting this recipe, thanks to my culinary school training.
All you need are three simple ingredients: eggs, butter (or olive oil), and salt. I don’t add anything else to my scrambled eggs. No water, no cream, and definitely no milk!
Soft and Creamy Scrambled Eggs
How to Make the Best Scrambled Eggs
Use a nonstick pan and a silicone spatula for the perfect scrambled eggs. The silicone spatula’s flexibility lets me swirl and sweep the eggs as they cook.
First, crack the eggs into a bowl and season them with salt. Whisk with a fork until blended, then let them sit for 5 to 10 minutes. During this time, the salt will work on the proteins, making the eggs more tender.
While the eggs rest, grab your butter and preheat the pan.
Whisking Eggs with Salt for Scrambled Eggs
Use butter for classic scrambled eggs, though olive oil also works great. Heat the butter (or oil) in your nonstick skillet, then get ready to cook your eggs.
The key to creamy, soft eggs is low heat. Cooking scrambled eggs over high heat will make them dry and bland.
Once the eggs hit the pan, swirl them in small circles with your spatula. Keep swirling until they are slightly thickened, and tiny curds form. This technique is what makes the eggs so creamy.
Cooking the Eggs Over Low Heat in a Nonstick Skillet
Then, switch from swirling to making long sweeps across the pan to create larger, creamier curds.
As soon as the eggs start to set but are still a bit wet, remove the pan from the heat. Eggs cook quickly, and even off the heat, they will continue cooking due to carryover cooking.
Perfect Scrambled Eggs That Are Softly Set and Slightly Runny in Places
Let the eggs sit in the hot pan for a few seconds, and you’ll have the most perfect scrambled eggs. For more great egg recipes, check out my recipes for perfect poached eggs or easy hard-boiled eggs.
Ways to Serve Scrambled Eggs
My favorite way to enjoy scrambled eggs is on a slice of toast or an English muffin, topped with black pepper, salt, and freshly chopped chives. A side of cabbage kimchi adds a delicious kick!
You can also get creative by adding ingredients directly to the eggs. For example, our dill scrambled eggs have fresh dill swirled into the egg mixture. They’re delicious!
For cheesy scrambled eggs, add soft or shredded cheese like goat or cheddar just as the eggs finish cooking. The residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly. We use feta in our spinach breakfast burritos and Monterey Jack in breakfast quesadillas.
Want more? Add sausage or bacon! Try our chorizo scrambled eggs or substitute with another ground sausage like Italian sausage. Bacon works wonderfully in breakfast tacos too.
Perfect Creamy Scrambled Eggs Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Servings: 2
This recipe makes perfectly soft and creamy scrambled eggs. A quality nonstick pan and silicone spatula are key. Low heat is important, and remember carryover cooking. Eggs cook quickly, so take the pan off the heat before they finish cooking.
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
- 1/2 tablespoon butter or olive oil
Directions
- Melt the butter in a medium nonstick pan over medium-low heat.
- Crack eggs into a bowl, add a pinch of salt, and whisk until well blended. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- When the butter begins to bubble, pour in the eggs and immediately use a silicone spatula to swirl in small circles around the pan, without stopping, until the eggs look slightly thickened and very small curds begin to form, about 30 seconds.
- Switch from making circles to making long sweeps across the pan until you see larger, creamy curds, about 20 seconds.
- When the eggs are softly set and slightly runny in places, remove the pan from the heat and leave for a few seconds to finish cooking. Give a final stir and serve immediately. Serve with an extra sprinkle of salt, a grind of black pepper, and a few fresh chopped herbs (if desired).