Boil
Cook in liquid that is bubbling actively and moving on its own.
What It Does
Boil uses high heat and active bubbling to cook, soften, or reduce. Keep enough liquid in the pot, adjust the heat if the boil is too violent, and use a gentler simmer when delicate food needs control.
Active bubbling
Boiling is stronger than simmering.
A boil moves the liquid constantly and can cook food quickly. It is useful when you need strong heat, but it can also knock delicate ingredients around.
Reference image
Boil technique reference image.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Cooking Checks
What to watch
Control the strength of the bubbles.
Use a pot with room for expansion, keep food covered by liquid when needed, and lower the heat if foam or splashing takes over.
450°F; 230°C; 400°F; 200°C
The Best Crispy Roast Potatoes Ever · Step 1
Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) or 400°F (200°C) if using convection.
about 5 minutes
New Orleans–Style Red Beans and Rice · Step 2
Add andouille and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
about 45 minutes
Frijoles Charros (Mexican Pinto Beans With Bacon and Chiles) Recipe · Step 2
Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a bare simmer, cover, and cook until beans are just tender, about 45 minutes.
about 6 minutes
3-Ingredient Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe · Step 1
Continue to cook, stirring, until water has been almost completely absorbed and macaroni is just shy of al dente, about 6 minutes.
about 30 minutes
Smooth and Creamy Polenta · Step 3
Lower heat immediately to prevent spitting and continue to cook, stirring frequently with a spoon or silicone spatula and scraping bottom to prevent scorching, until polenta becomes thick and pulls away from side of saucepan, about 30 minutes for presoaked cornmeal and 50 minutes for dry cornmeal.
about 10 minutes
The Best Crispy Roast Potatoes Ever · Step 1
Return to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until a knife meets little resistance when inserted into a potato chunk, about 10 minutes after returning to a boil.
about 10 minutes
Kapusniak (Polish Potato, Kielbasa, and Cabbage Soup) · Step 2
Reduce to a bare simmer and cook until potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
about 20 minutes
Chicken Adobo (Filipino-Style Braised Chicken) · Step 3
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through and tender, about 20 minutes, turning the chicken pieces halfway through.
about 1 minute
Cacio e Pepe (Spaghetti With Black Pepper and Pecorino Romano) · Step 2
Cook until spaghetti is al dente (typically about 1 minute less than the package recommends).
until a knife meets little resistance when inserted into a potato chunk, about 10 minutes after returning to a boil
The Best Crispy Roast Potatoes Ever · Step 1
until a knife meets little resistance when inserted into a potato chunk, about 10 minutes after returning to a boil
about 1 minute
The Best Spinach Lasagna Recipe · Step 5
Cook, stirring butter and flour with a whisk until paled golden blond, about 1 minute.
about 1 minute
Pommes de Terre Fondantes (Fondant Potatoes) · Step 4
Add butter and cook, swirling constantly, until butter is melted and begins to foam, about 1 minute.
until mixture is very fragrant and garlic turns a light golden color, about 30 seconds
Chicken Adobo (Filipino-Style Braised Chicken) · Step 3
until mixture is very fragrant and garlic turns a light golden color, about 30 seconds
until paled golden blond, about 1 minute
The Best Spinach Lasagna Recipe · Step 5
until paled golden blond, about 1 minute
about 2 minutes
Homemade Ramen Noodles Recipe · Step 9
Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes if using hand-cut noodles; cook for about 1 minute and 30 seconds if using noodles cut on spaghetti cutter.