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Golden Eggs: Turmeric Fried Boiled Eggs Recipe

These eggs can be eaten plain, used in salads and are "eggcelent" (#imsopunny) when used to make egg curry.
This cooking technique is very popular in West Bengal (I've learned this from my mother-in-law) and other parts of India as well.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6 eggs

Ingredients
  

  • 6 hard boiled/steamed eggs see "Notes" on how to steam eggs
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric, or as needed to coat the eggs
  • pinch red chili powder, as needed to coat the eggs (to taste) I use a deggi mirch or a medium spiced chili powder.
  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp kosher salt (to taste)
  • 1 tbsp mustard oil or substitute grapeseed oil, ghee, butter, bacon grease...etc

Instructions
 

  • Remove and discard the shells from your eggs. If your eggs are wet on the outside, dry them with a paper towel. Try to remove as much moisture as possible.
  • Rub turmeric powder and salt onto the outsides of the eggs. They should be lightly coated and have a yellow tinge. If you'd prefer not to dirty your hands, place the eggs, turmeric and salt in a Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and gently shake/move the eggs around until they are all evenly covered.
  • In a large non-stick pan (pan should be large enough for your eggs so they have room to move and aren't crowded. Else, fry the eggs in batches), heat the mustard oil over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the eggs.
  • Watch the eggs closely, they'll cook quickly. Once you notice the outside beginning to crisp and bubble, turn the eggs. Continue frying the eggs until the outsides are evenly cooked and are a deep, golden color.
  • Once the eggs are done frying, remove onto a plate lined with paper towels. Use as desired.

Notes

To steam the eggs: 

  • I haven't noticed any difference in cook-time whether I'm steaming 1 or 10 eggs. I also always steam the eggs in a single layer.
  • If you don't have a steamer or the utensils to make one, you could also steam the eggs in your rice cooker while your rice is cooking! In my experience, when the rice is done, the eggs are usually perfect.
  1. Add water to the bottom of a pot. Around an inch should be enough.
  2. Put the eggs in a steamer basket or on top of a trivet inside the pot. You don't want the eggs to touch the water, or they will boil rather than steam.
  3. Turn the gas to medium-high heat and cover the pot with the eggs inside.
  4. Set your timer. I have found 16 minutes yields perfect steamed eggs with bright yellow yolks--no gray coloring.
  5. Remove the eggs right away and place in an ice bath. Let them soak for a few minutes.
  6. Peel the eggs! They're ready to use.
Keyword boiled egg, indian cuisine, turmeric