Grilled eggs are made in a variety of ways, all of which result in an intriguing main course, side dish, or amuse bouche. Grilled eggs are bound to tantalize your and your guests’ taste buds, whether you want to serve them in a burrito, on a sandwich, on toast, or on their own.
In our grilled eggs recipe, we’ll explore an iconic Cambodian street food tradition. In Cambodia, these eggs are sold either right off the barbecue on the street or from the back of a motorbike. And if you’ve never tried one, you’re in for a surprise… because these fire roasted eggs are not all they seem to be. What’s inside the shell is a filling that you could mistake for gourmet scrambled eggs, if it weren’t for the shape. The secret to grilling eggs the Cambodian way lies in the cooking method — you drain the eggs, whisk up a mix, then refill the shells. If it sounds complicated, you’re not wrong — it is. But really, you won’t need more than 15-20 minutes to prep, and grilling the eggs will take another 10 minutes at most. In the end, your efforts and patience will be rewarded with a flavorful, unforgettable side dish or hors d’oeuvre.
To ensure that your grilled eggs turn out perfectly, it’s important to avoid common mistakes, such as overcooking the eggs. Once you have mastered the art of grilling eggs, you can serve them in a variety of ways, including with a dipping sauce, pickled vegetables, or on their own.
There are many other popular grilled egg recipes to explore apart from the Cambodian version we present below, such as Smoked Scotch eggs and grilled eggs with Mexican chorizo.
Grilled eggs are delicious, but they also offer a number of health benefits, including a high content of protein and vitamins. However, there are potential health risks associated with eating grilled eggs, such as the risk of foodborne illness from undercooked eggs or the high cholesterol content.
Grilled Eggs
Equipment
- 1 egg steamer rack (affiliate link)
- 1 6-quart pot
- 1 funnel
- 1 ladle
- 1 Grill (affiliate link) — This is the grill we use, it's perfect for balconies and smaller spaces. You can also connect it to a large propane cylinder with an adapter hose.
- 1 whisk
- 1 mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 12 Large Chicken Eggs skin on
- 1 tspn
Kampot pepper (affiliate link) crushed or grounded - 1½ tbsp Sugar or brown sugar as an alternative
- 2 tbsp
Soy sauce (affiliate link) - 1 tbsp
Oyster sauce (affiliate link)
Instructions
- Break each egg gently by stabbing repeatedly at the narrower end using a sharp knife.
- Allow the egg yolk and whites to drain into a mixing bowl
- Set the shells aside carefully in a bowl so as not to crack them.
- Add soy sauce to the bowl with the eggs.
- Add sugar to the mix.
- Add ground black pepper to the egg mixture.
- Add oyster sauce to the mix.
- Whisk the egg mixture in the bowl until it achieves an even light brown color and consistency.
- Strain the mixture using a colander or sieve — doing so gets rid of the small bits of egg shell.
- Rinse the empty shells carefully with water.
- Set the empty shells on the steaming rack with the small hole at the top of the egg facing up.
- Pour the mix back into the eggs using a ladle and a small funnel.
- Place the eggs into a pot with about an inch of water (just enough to touch the bottoms of the eggs on the lower rack), and set to steam on the stove.
- Remove the egg rack from the heat source once the mixture has cooked inside the shells (use a chopstick or wooden skewer to gently probe each egg for firmness).
- Preheat the grill for several minutes on low heat and place the eggs on the hot grill.
- Keep eggs on the grill for 10 minutes, rotating them once halfway through. Some of the eggs may crack while on the grill, as the mixture inside them expands — this is normal.
- Remove the eggs from the grill after 10 minutes.
- Remove the shells and serve the grilled eggs with fresh vegetables of your choice, and a savory, zesty dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Can you cook eggs on the grill?
Yes, you can cook eggs on the grill. There are multiple delicious ways of barbecuing your eggs. These range from simple — like simply putting raw eggs on the grill as you would a steak or a sausage — to the more complex, such as the one we’ve described in our recipe. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the common methods for cooking whole eggs on the grill.
How do you grill a whole egg?
Here are the two methods you can follow to grill a whole egg:
- Follow the Cambodian grilled eggs recipe above: This recipe for barbecuing eggs takes a little more time — roughly 30 minutes. You have to drain the eggs first, whisk the egg and yolk mixture with spices, return the mix to the shells, steam the eggs, and finally grill them. But in the end, you get a truly unique and flavorful dish that goes well with fresh vegetables and a variety of Cambodian sauces.
- Place whole eggs on the grill: The simplest way to barbecue eggs is to simply put them right on the grill, whole, and cook them over low-to-medium heat for 10-15 minutes. This way, you’ll end up with an egg that tastes much like a hard-boiled egg, albeit with a slightly smoky taste.
If you don’t want to grill the eggs in their shells, you can try some more elaborate techniques, such as this grilled bacon and eggs recipe.
Mistakes to avoid when making grilled eggs
Below are the three common mistakes to avoid when making grilled eggs.
- Overcooking the eggs: Keeping the eggs too long on the grill results in a rubbery texture. Cook the eggs just until they are set and firm, but still tender: 10 minutes on the grill s is just enough time to achieve the ideal egg consistency.
- Using the wrong type of eggs: Using eggs that are too old or have a runny yolk results in a messy and unappetizing dish. The whites and yolk mixture inside the egg shell should assume a firm (but not rubbery), custardy consistency.
- Not seasoning the eggs: Cambodian grilled eggs are typically seasoned with sugar, black pepper, fish sauce, and oyster sauce. These seasonings combine to create the iconic, unique Cambodian grilled egg flavor.
How to serve Cambodian grilled eggs?
Below are the four typical ways to serve Cambodian grilled eggs (the first three do not preclude one another).
- With dipping sauce: Cambodian grilled eggs are often served with a dipping sauce made from freshly squeezed lime juice, salt, and black pepper. The sauce adds a tangy, salty, and spicy punch to the eggs.
- With pickled vegetables: Pickled vegetables, such as cucumber, carrot, and daikon radish, are a common accompaniment to Cambodian grilled eggs. The pickled vegetables have a refreshing and crunchy texture, which contrasts nicely with the custardy consistency of the grilled eggs.
- With steamed rice: Try Cambodian grilled eggs with steamed rice, which is a staple in Cambodian cuisine. The rice helps balance out the strong flavors of the eggs and dipping sauce (and adds some substance to the meal, so you don’t get hungry quickly).
- On their own: Enjoy Cambodian grilled eggs on their own as a quick and easy snack. They are flavorful and filling, making them a great option for a light, midday meal.
What are the health benefits of eating grilled eggs?
Below are the five health benefits of eating grilled eggs.
- High protein content: Eggs are a great source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue. Grilled eggs are a convenient and delicious way to get more protein in your diet.
- Excellent source of vitamins and minerals: Eggs are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, and selenium. These nutrients are important for maintaining healthy bones, skin, and immune function.
- Low calorie count: Grilled eggs are a low-calorie food, which makes them a great option for those trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
- High levels of choline: Eggs contain choline, which has been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is linked to a number of chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes.
- Source of omega-3 fatty acids: Eggs are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients that are important for brain health. Eating grilled eggs may help improve memory, concentration, and overall brain function.
What are the health risks associated with eating grilled eggs?
The following are the five health risks associated with eating grilled eggs.
- Foodborne illness (if undercooked): Eating undercooked or raw eggs increases your risk of foodborne illness, such as salmonella. It’s important to cook eggs thoroughly to reduce this risk.
- High cholesterol content: Eggs are high in cholesterol, which contributes to heart disease and other health problems. The cholesterol in eggs is not as harmful as once thought, but it’s still important to consume them in moderation.
- Possible allergen: Eggs are a common allergen and cause allergic reactions in some people. Avoid eating grilled eggs if you’re allergic.
- Interaction with certain medications: Eggs contain vitamin K, which reduces the efficiency of blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin. Talk to your doctor before adding grilled eggs to your diet if you’re using blood-thinning medications.
What are some other popular grilled egg recipes?
Below are two other popular grilled egg recipes besides the Cambodian version we’ve shared in this article.
- Smoked Scotch eggs: Smoked scotch eggs are a classic British snack. They comprise hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage and breadcrumbs before being smoked and grilled.
- Grilled eggs with Mexican chorizo: This dish is a spicy and flavorful take on grilled eggs. The eggs are cooked on the grill with crumbled Mexican chorizo, giving them a smoky, savory flavor. It’s a great option for a brunch or breakfast dish.
Final Words About Our Grilled Eggs
We hope you’ll enjoy our grilled eggs recipe and have fun making them.
Have you made eggs on the grill before? If you have, share your experience with us below!