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Techniques › Eggs and butter

Making an omelet

Intermediate Eggs and butter

Beaten eggs cooked quickly into a thin, tender sheet, then folded around a filling.

Written with AI help from the sources listed, and published by Cory. Spot a mistake? Tell us and we'll fix it.

How do you do it?

  1. Whisk 2 to 3 eggs with salt; have any filling cooked, warm and ready.

    1Whisk 2 to 3 eggs with salt; have any filling cooked, warm and ready.

  2. Heat an 8-inch nonstick pan over medium, add butter, and pour in eggs when the foam settles.

    2Heat an 8-inch nonstick pan over medium, add butter, and pour in eggs when the foam settles.

  3. Stir and shake for 20 to 30 seconds, then let it sit until the top is just barely set.

    3Stir and shake for 20 to 30 seconds, then let it sit until the top is just barely set.

  4. Add filling to one half, fold the other half over, and slide it onto a plate.

    4Add filling to one half, fold the other half over, and slide it onto a plate.

Why does it work?

A small pan keeps the egg layer thin so it sets evenly in about a minute. Stirring early makes fine curds for a soft texture; stopping before it dries keeps it from browning and toughening.

What are the common mistakes?

Still stuck? Watch someone do it on YouTube.

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