Alton Brown's Secret To Better Scrambled Eggs Isn't What You Think - Mashed (2024)

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Alton Brown's Secret To Better Scrambled Eggs Isn't What You Think - Mashed (1)

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The internet loves eggs — whether it's how to cook the fluffiest scramble, how to expertly fold a pepper and onion omelette, or how to flawlessly poach an egg for a Benedict-inspired breakfast, the internet just. Loves. Eggs.

That being said, there are a whole lot of tips out there, ranging from professional chefs' preferred ingredient lists to secret stovetop methods (the kind that only a stereotypical dad who cooks Sunday breakfast for the kids might know). That's not to say they're bad tips — we're particularly fond of frying up a few eggs in leftover bacon grease (or using seltzer water if you're vegan), but there's more to a good batch of eggs than what they're cooked in and with.

While everyone online is full of opinions on how to make eggs, chef Alton Brown is approaching the breakfast corner of the internet from a new angle: He's schooling us on how to serve said eggs instead.

Brown's scrambled egg secret isn't in the ingredient list — it's in how you serve them

Alton Brown's Secret To Better Scrambled Eggs Isn't What You Think - Mashed (2)

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Alton Brown shared his favorite scrambled egg tip in an interview withFood Network.Instead of letting your eggs cook to completion in the pan, he recommends taking them off the stove one minute before they're done and plating them on a warmed dish. Since eggs cook quickly, they'll finish up on the heat of the plate, making them the ideal consistency and fluffiest possible texture at the first bite.

He suggests transferring the scramble from the pan just when the egg firms up, and is no longer runny. Give it about one minute, and your breakfast, brunch, or — let's admit it — easy dinner will be golden.

The key here is keeping the heat on the plate, so that the eggs don't cool down and dry out immediately after leaving the pan. Otherwise, by the time your toast is perfectly crisped and your glass of orange juice is poured, you're going to be stuck with a cold, sad scramble — no matter how many fancy ingredients the internet told you to use.

There are a few different ways to preheat your plate

Alton Brown's Secret To Better Scrambled Eggs Isn't What You Think - Mashed (3)

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The most crucial step here is preheating where you'll be serving the eggs, Brown explained to Food Network, since "cold plates suck the heat right out of food."

Some of his recommendations include tossing the plate in the oven on low — if the dish you'll be eating on is oven-safe. If not, you can submerge a pile of the dishes in some hot water; this might be the best route if you're entertaining guests for a fancy weekend brunch, and you have to focus more on making the mimosas and less on watching the oven.

Or, as The Spruce Eats notes, an easy option would be to stick the dish in the microwave for a minute or two (we're personally on board with this one, especially if it means elevating your everyday breakfast-for-one). They also suggest that if you're a regular egg-eater, you may just want to go all in and spend the extra cash on an electric plate warmer — the only thing worse than cold scrambled eggs, is cold scrambled eggs every single day.

To follow Brown's scrambled egg process exactly, you may need this ingredient

Alton Brown's Secret To Better Scrambled Eggs Isn't What You Think - Mashed (4)

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Sure, a warm plate is enough to turn a subpar breakfast into a good breakfast. But if you want to turn a good breakfast into a great one, you might as well follow Brown's scrambled egg recipe to a T. Once you nail down the serving technique, there's still some room for improvement, and Brown has another little-known piece of advice when it comes to perfecting eggs. That's where the mayonnaise comes in.

Yes, mayo, and yes, with scrambled eggs. According to the chef, adding a teaspoon of mayonnaise mixed with an equal amount of water to your eggs will give your scramble an incredible texture worthy of a preparing a hot plate (via Kitchn). He credits the deliciously decadent scramble with the idea that mayo is an emulsion, mixed with another emulsion: the eggs themselves. All of that oil, butter, and egg undoubtedly makes for a hearty plate. And believe it or not, Brown insists that your breakfast won't have even a trace of mayonnaise flavor.

In his 2016 cookbook Everyday Cook, the chef writes, "You'll never know the mayo is in there until you go and leave it out." Even if you're a dedicated mayonnaise hater, the creamy result — a perfect, silky scramble on a freshly warmed dish — is totally worth setting aside your differences with the condiment, according to Kitchn.

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Alton Brown's Secret To Better Scrambled Eggs Isn't What You Think - Mashed (2024)

FAQs

Alton Brown's Secret To Better Scrambled Eggs Isn't What You Think - Mashed? ›

Using Mayonnaise In Scrambled Eggs

What is the trick to scrambled eggs? ›

Cooking the beaten eggs low and slow helps guard against overcooking and produces supremely creamy scrambled eggs with big, soft curds. This technique also works well with mix-ins, like shredded cheese or blanched spinach; add them in the last minute of cooking.

How to make fluffy eggs Alton Brown? ›

Procedure. Whisk the eggs, salt, pepper, and milk together until light and foamy. Add the butter to a 10- to 12-inch carbon steel skillet and put over high heat. When the butter bubbles, after about 1 minute, pour the eggs straight into the middle of the pan, which will force the butter to the edges, where it's needed.

What gives a higher volume and better texture to scrambled egg? ›

I personally like adding a splash of milk or cream directly to my eggs before I start cooking. I find that it makes them more tender—plus, it's a great way to add more volume to your scrambled eggs if you're maybe running low and need to feed a few.

What makes fluffier scrambled eggs water or milk? ›

Water is the way to go if your ultimate goal is to cook airy scrambled eggs that feel like a cloud and melt in your mouth. It's as simple as this: add a splash of water to your already-whisked eggs. When the water heats on the stove, it produces a steaming effect, which results in surprisingly fluffy scrambled eggs.

What does Gordon Ramsay put in his scrambled eggs? ›

Sour cream: This is used to cool down the eggs at the end to stop the cooking process and make an extra creamy texture. Substitute with crème fraîche, heavy cream or cold butter if you prefer. Salt and pepper: Only season at the end of cooking, not before. Gordon Ramsey says this prevents watery, gray eggs.

What makes restaurant scrambled eggs so good? ›

Other reasons scrambled eggs are better at a restaurant

Believe it or not, adding water to your eggs can make them taste better too. Adding water or other liquids (and cooking at low heat) helps keep proteins from binding together too quickly, which creates a chewy, unappealing texture.

How does Dolly Parton make fluffy scrambled eggs? ›

Parton said she always adds some ice water to her pan of scrambled eggs. "Put a few drops of ice water as you're cooking them and that makes them fluffier," she said.

What is the key to fluffy scrambled eggs? ›

The secret ingredient for perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs is whisking the eggs thoroughly and vigorously before cooking them. Whisking incorporates air, which produces fluffier scrambled eggs, and fluffy eggs are the end goal.

How much mayonnaise does Alton Brown put in his scrambled eggs? ›

Yes, everyday, ordinary mayo. In "Scrambled Eggs V3. 0," Brown whisks 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon of water into his eggs before scrambling. The results, he proclaims, are creamier than anything dairy alone can produce.

What does adding milk to scrambled eggs do? ›

The proteins in the eggs bond with the milk or cream during cooking, creating a softer texture and increasing the volume. On the other hand, when it comes to fried eggs, the addition of milk or cream is not common because they are usually cooked quickly and at a higher heat.

Do chefs add milk to scrambled eggs? ›

However, this myth has finally been disproved thanks to Dan Joines, an experienced restaurateur who stated to Coventry Live, "Never add milk to your scrambled eggs – it dilutes the flavor and makes them more likely to turn out rubbery."

Is milk or butter better for scrambled eggs? ›

Chefs and home cooks agree that butter is the only dairy you need when scrambling eggs. Use medium to low heat and melt a tablespoon or two in the bottom of your pan until it is golden (but not brown). Then add your whisked eggs, and cook without stirring until the mixture begins to set on the bottom.

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