Why You Should Think Twice About Putting Milk In Your Scrambled Eggs - Tasting Table (2024)

Why You Should Think Twice About Putting Milk In Your Scrambled Eggs - Tasting Table (2)

Why You Should Think Twice About Putting Milk In Your Scrambled Eggs - Tasting Table (3)

Why You Should Think Twice About Putting Milk In Your Scrambled Eggs

Why You Should Think Twice About Putting Milk In Your Scrambled Eggs - Tasting Table (4)

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ByKalea Martin/

Rubbery scrambled eggs are no less than an utter breakfast buzzkill. Whether it be at a school cafeteria or the breakfast buffet of a two-star hotel, rubbery scrambled eggs are the sad cornerstone of a sub-par meal. Even learning from a bad experience can be useful, though. By now, we all agree that texture is key when it comes to making delicious scrambled eggs. Surely, ones that are light, fluffy, and ever so creamy are arguably the best kind.

If, however, your scrambled eggs are more breakfast buffet than gourmet, it's likely because of the milk you're adding to the mix, saysSouthern Living. Adding milk to scrambled eggs might be a well-known cooking tip, but the truth is that it's more of an old wives' tale. In fact, milk actually does the exact opposite of what you're trying to achieve, serving only to dilute the flavor and ruin the integrity of the eggs. That signature rich, creamy texture of high-quality scrambled eggs comes fundamentally from the egg itself and the technique used to prepare it.

It's easy to overcook scrambled eggs with milk

Why You Should Think Twice About Putting Milk In Your Scrambled Eggs - Tasting Table (5)

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Not only does milk effectively water down everything you want in a good plate of scrambled eggs, but it also makes them easier to burn. The reason, as explained by HuffPost, is that the thinner the scrambled egg mixture is, the faster it'll overcook. So, whatever liquid you add — water and cream included — can lead you to overcook the dish. This directly affects the consistency of the final product, ultimately making them that much more rubbery or dry.

According to Cook's Illustrated, the only kind of dairy you should be adding to your eggs is butter. But why does this addition help keep things creamy where others generate a sad, tough mess?The fat in butter helps to keep the proteins in the eggs from over-coagulating — that is, going rubbery. So, instead of making your scrambled eggs creamier with extra liquid, next time, lend the mixture some extra fat.

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Why You Should Think Twice About Putting Milk In Your Scrambled Eggs - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

Why You Should Think Twice About Putting Milk In Your Scrambled Eggs - Tasting Table? ›

When overheated, these bonds tighten and can squeeze out moisture from the eggs, leading to a dry, rubbery product. That's why so many modern chefs recommend that you should think twice about putting milk in your scrambled eggs. The protein-rich mixture becomes easier to overcook, leading to the dreaded rubbery egg.

Why do you add milk to scrambled eggs? ›

Adding milk or plain water to scrambled eggs is an optional step that affects the texture of your finished dish. For creamy scrambled eggs, you'll add up to 1 tablespoon of milk for every egg. For fluffy scrambled eggs, you'll add up to 1 tablespoon of water for every egg.

Why putting milk in scrambled eggs is a huge mistake? ›

It's easy to overcook scrambled eggs with milk

So, whatever liquid you add — water and cream included — can lead you to overcook the dish. This directly affects the consistency of the final product, ultimately making them that much more rubbery or dry.

What are 2 rules to remember when cooking eggs? ›

If you apply too much direct heat, the egg will overcook, causing the sauce to break and curdle. Over-boiling an egg is another common mistake. Going a few minutes too long will draw out the iron and sulfur, turning the yolk into a nasty grey color with a green ring.

How to make scrambled eggs taste better? ›

Try adding a balance of fresh vegetables, cheese, fresh herbs, and seasoning. Some delicious variations include tomatoes and Cheddar cheese, asparagus, chives, and goat cheese, or bacon, sautéed onion, and Gruyere.

What happens when milk is added to egg? ›

This practice of combining milk and raw eggs can cause food poisoning as well as Biotin deficiency, this happens when the proteins in the egg bind with the Biotin compounds and hampers its absorption in the body. This is why mixing raw eggs with milk is a bad idea.

What can you use instead of milk in scrambled eggs? ›

You can put water in eggs instead of milk, however it may make your scrambled eggs too watery. If you aren't using milk, just use oil or butter. It will work just as well. Milk is not necessary when cooking eggs.

What happens if I put too much milk in my scrambled eggs? ›

The excess liquid can also dilute the flavor of the eggs, making them taste bland and unappetizing. Additionally, if you are adding milk or cream to your scrambled eggs, too much liquid can cause the eggs to separate and curdle, leaving you with a lumpy and unappealing texture.

What is the biggest mistake people make when cooking scrambled eggs? ›

Think twice about putting milk in your scrambled eggs — this is one of the biggest mistakes that anyone can make with this dish, and many people don't even know that it is a mistake.

Can dogs eat scrambled eggs? ›

Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.

Can you eat eggs with blood spots in them? ›

The Egg Safety Center and the USDA both state that eggs with blood spots are completely safe to eat as long as they are cooked properly. However, whether they have blood spots or not, eggs are not safe to eat if showing any signs of spoilage: Small cracks in the shell. A cloudy, powdery coating.

Can you cook an egg 100 ways? ›

Don't forget about how many other dishes include eggs as an ingredient...in cakes, souffles, breakfast burritos, egg noodles, mayonnaise, sauces. I could go on and on. So, there certainly are at least 100 different ways to cook an egg!

Why do I add milk to scrambled eggs? ›

Many scrambled egg recipes tell you to add a pour of heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk. The idea is that these ingredients improve the flavor (dairy tastes good), tenderness (the fat in the dairy interrupts the proteins in the eggs), and fluffiness (the water in the dairy puffs into steam).

What happens if you don't put milk in scrambled eggs? ›

Good quality eggs don't need a lot of extra ingredients to make them stand out. You can stop if you are in the habit of adding milk or cream while whisking eggs—now. Milk won't make eggs creamier, fluffier, or stretch the dish out.

Do you add water or milk to eggs for an omelette? ›

Crack the eggs into a small bowl and whisk. Add some salt and pepper, if you like, but do not add any water, milk, or any other liquids. Heat the oil or butter in a 9-inch non-stick frying pan and pour in the eggs. In the first 30-seconds of cooking, use a spatula to create 6-10 small cuts through the omelette.

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