20 Best Poached Egg Recipes ( + Easy Breakfast Ideas)

These poached egg recipes are too good to pass up!

You don’t need to leave poached eggs to the professionals anymore. With the proper technique, whipping up poached eggs is super simple!

There’s nothing more magical than a poached egg. It has a perfectly set white with a runny yolk ripe for creative recipes.

It takes a few attempts to master, but it’s well worth it!

So, put down those cereal bowls and get ready for some tasty poached egg recipes.

1. Poached Eggs

There are tons of hacks for a perfectly poached egg. Some work and some don’t.

Follow the tips below to create that perfectly round shape (without the mess). 

First, bring about 4 inches of water to a boil. When you crack your egg, run it through a mesh sieve before hitting the water.

Your egg has a watery outside that scatters into ribbons once it hits the water, and you don’t want that.

The sieve helps to remove the watery bits, so your egg is perfectly round. 

Before you drop your egg into the water, add a splash of vinegar and swirl your water into a vortex.

Working with only one egg at a time, carefully drop your egg into the boiling vortex and cook for about 3 minutes. 

Remove it with a slotted spoon, pat it dry, and add it to your favorite recipe!

2. Simple Poached Egg and Avocado Toast 

Topping your avocado toast is a great way to infuse extra protein into this classic breakfast staple.

This dish has healthy fat, protein, and fiber. It checks all of the breakfast boxes. 

While any toast will do, opting for a healthy whole grain bread keeps you fuller longer.

This recipe shines with the added kick of flavor from the parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. 

3. Eggs Benedict 

Eggs Benedict is my all-time favorite breakfast food.

Perfectly poached eggs are great, but the lemon kick from the hollandaise sauce makes this classic sing. 

What makes eggs benedict so special? The richness of the eggs and the saltiness of the Canadian bacon come together with the hollandaise sauce.

Hollandaise is egg yolks, butter, lemon juice, and heavy cream.

There’s so much richness from the eggs and Canadian bacon.

But the bright and acidic hollandaise sauce makes this dish feel light yet still impossibly filling. 

4. Poached Egg with Ratatouille Vegetables

Don’t let the fancy name fool you into thinking this dish is overly complicated!

If you want to cut out the carbs and keep your breakfast low in calories, this recipe is worth checking out!

One serving has only 178 calories and a lot of vegetables to keep you fueled until lunch!

This recipe is excellent if you are preparing brunch for many people because it’s a cinch to whip up.

Chop your vegetables for the base (you can prep this stage the night before). Then, add them to a pan with all of your herbs and garlic. 

When guests arrive, poach your eggs and top them over your delicious ratatouille!

5. One-Pot Green Rice with Poached Eggs & Coconut 

This hearty winter dish is simple, quick, and packed with sustaining nutrition.

Plus, the white, yellow, and green veggies will brighten up a dreary winter morning. 

The base of this dish earns its beautiful green color with the help of kale (or spinach), cilantro, and a can of full-fat coconut milk.

While it may look heavy and hearty, the addition of ginger and lime juice lifts the flavor to feel light and bright. 

If you want to get creative, garnish it with toasted coconut. 

6. Summer Lentil Salad with Poached Eggs 

Poached eggs aren’t just for breakfast!

This light yet filling dish is perfect for a light lunch and whips together in about 35 minutes.

It’s packed with a healthy serving of lentils for added protein and fiber, with mangoes and avocado to keep it light and bright. 

Fresh radishes and cucumbers add texture for added crunch.

7. Gingery Poached Egg Soup  

Popping a poached egg into a bowl of soup transforms basic broth into magic.

This filling Asian-inspired soup is a cinch to whip up on a lazy weeknight. 

The base is composed of chicken or vegetable stock and a generous portion of ginger.

The added cabbage, soy sauce, and scallions make this soup light, bright, and impossibly healthy. 

Once you burst open that silky yolk into the soup, it infuses the simple broth base into something silky and decadent.  

8. Jalapeno Cheddar Grits with Poached Eggs

These poached eggs look like something from a fancy brunch restaurant, but you can make them from home.

This dish is cheesy, a little spicy, and a great way to dress up your poached eggs. 

If you’ve never made grits before, don’t worry! They’re easier than they look.

Add your jalapeno and butter base, and add water to bring to a boil.

Add the grits and simmer them low and slow for 20 minutes, similar to cooking rice. 

Stir in your cheese and milk, pop your poached egg, and garnish with fresh herbs. 

9. Cilbir: Turkish Eggs in Garlicky Yogurt Sauce 

I stumbled across this recipe and was immediately intrigued.

I was in dire need of a breakfast dish that was more than just eggs and toast, and cilbir didn’t disappoint!

What’s great about this recipe is that you likely have all the ingredients. The yogurt base uses garlic, oil, and Aleppo pepper.

Warm the oil, pepper, and garlic on the stove and stir into your room-temperature Greek yogurt. 

It’s new and different, and without any carbs, it’s the perfect diet-friendly breakfast!

10. Smoked Haddock Kedgeree with Poached Egg 

This recipe is the perfect way to incorporate poached eggs into a hearty dinner dish.

While this dish calls for smoked haddock, you can swap it out for your smoked fish of choice. 

Mix your fish, vegetables, and seasoning, and serve it for a group!

11. Whipped Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowls with Spinach, Eggs, and Coconut Bacon  

This light yet filling dish is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

With creamy sweet potatoes as a base, it’s impossibly filling and packed with nutrition. It’ll keep you full without weighing you down. 

Cook your sweet potatoes and use an immersion blender to ensure they’re nice and creamy.

Then, top them with a perfectly poached egg and coconut bacon. Serve them with blanched spinach for an added pop of color (and nutrition).

12. Steamed Asparagus with Poached Egg 

This dish is incredibly light and perfect if you want to keep calories low.

It whips up in a snap with very few ingredients and is a great way to fit in those greens. 

The asparagus is quickly blanched in a pot of water and dressed with olive oil, butter, and parmesan cheese.

Top it with a poached egg, and you have a quick and easy meal without the carbs!

13. Skillet Poached Eggs with Spinach  

What’s great about this recipe is that you can easily make adjustments to fit your mood.

Veggies, eggs, and oil are all you need for this simple, show-stopping dish!

While the recipe calls for spinach, you can easily sub it out for kale or other rich, leafy greens.

Do you have some mushrooms that you need to use? Throw them in the pan. Are you in the mood for something spicy?

Toss in a few jalapenos or hot pepper flakes.

14. Frisée Salad with Bacon, Croutons and Poached Egg (Lyonnaise Salad) 

Salads aren’t exactly filling. However, this Lyonnaise salad has ample protein and just enough greens to land it in the salad category. 

This salad uses a base of frisée lettuce that’s light and crunchy.

Dress your greens with a bright mustard dressing, and top them with bacon and croutons. Then, add a poached egg for the finishing touch.

15. Poached Egg & Avocado Breakfast Salad 

Part breakfast bowl, part salad, this breakfast dish is creamy and filling.

It uses a base of crisp greens with nuts, avocado, and a nutritional kick from quinoa. 

Once you crack open that yolk, this dish comes together and checks all of the boxes on the food pyramid.

If you want a little kick of acidity, add a touch of lemon juice or your favorite vinaigrette. 

16. Spinach-Ramen Noodle Soup with Poached Egg 

There’s nothing more savory and delicious to add to a bowl of ramen than a poached egg.

This recipe is the perfect pairing for a cold day and is surprisingly filling!

To save on money, I like to use the noodles from a cheap ramen package and then throw those high-sodium seasoning packets in the garbage.

Simmer the broth in onions, garlic, and ginger to make your soup base. Add a healthy portion of spinach, and finish with a poached egg. 

Top it with sesame oil or sriracha for garnish (and an extra helping of flavor). 

17. Artichoke Shakshuka 

This artichoke dish is simple, quick, and a perfect option if you’re in a cooking rut. This dish’s ingredients are likely waiting for you in your cupboard. 

The base of this dish uses canned whole tomatoes and marinated artichoke hearts.

Add peppers, onion, sweet paprika, pepper, and top with your egg. 

This recipe is incredibly affordable and the perfect lazy weeknight dinner dish. 

18. Soft Poached Eggs, Sweetcorn Frittas, and Crispy Bacon

Who needs English muffins when you have sweetcorn frittas? Frittas take a little time to come together but are well worth the extra effort. 

To make your frittas, cut the kernels off of a cob of corn and mix with jalapenos, egg yolk, melted butter, and seasoning.

Carefully fold in whipped egg whites, separate into patties, and brown on the stove. 

Stack your patties with a few slices of bacon, poached egg, and chives. 

19. Tuscan Farmer’s Breakfast

This Tuscan farmer’s breakfast has ample protein from eggs and cannellini beans and vitamin C from the rich tomato base.

It’s the perfect Sunday brunch when you need to feed a group!

The cannellini bean base has tomatoes, fresh rosemary, onions, and garlic.

You can make it the night before and then quickly reheat it to serve with eggs in the morning. 

The base of this recipe is a little soupy, so make sure you include a loaf of crusty bread!

20. Einkorn Breakfast Pilaf with Poached Egg 

Einkorn is a type of farro, and it is rich in protein, vitamin B6, and potassium.

If you are on the hunt for a great breakfast alternative that packs a powerful nutritional punch, look no further!

Cooking einkorn is very similar to cooking rice. Bring your stock to a boil, add Einhorn, and simmer on low for 20 minutes.

Season it with salt and pepper, and add your egg. 

It’s simple, nutritious, and excellent for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.