Making Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs doesn’t have to be difficult – this easy method is my favorite. It’s a tried-and-true way to make the best hard boiled eggs ever, easy to peel and perfectly cooked.
Hard Boiled Eggs, Perfect Every Time!
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to peel a hard boiled egg, when half of the egg comes off with the shell. It makes me cringe just thinking about it. I’m sure lots of you know exactly what I mean!
In my search for a foolproof, easy-to-peel hard boiled egg, I have tried it all. A needle hole in the shell. Vinegar in the water. Only use old eggs. Only use already-boiling water. None of these methods worked reliably for me. But finally, I found a method that always results in smooth, easily-peeled eggs, and that is how I have been doing it ever since.
Why This Hard Boiled Egg Method Works
- Easy: There are no bells and whistles here, just a saucepan, some water, and some eggs.
- Hands-Free: If you’ve ever tried to poke a hole in your egg with a needle, you’ll be glad to know that this method is nothing like that! It’s basically hands-off. Just cook, cool, and eat.
- Reliable: This way always works for me, and I’m sure it will for you, too.
- Quick: All in all, this takes only about 30 minutes, including boiling and cooling time.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you only need one ingredient: eggs! You’ll also need…
- A saucepan deep enough to hold the eggs and about one inch of water
- Water to cook the eggs, and for the ice bath
- Ice and a bowl, to make the ice bath
How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Okay, I can hear you asking, “So what is the method?” Fair question. Here’s the best method for making perfect hard-boiled eggs!
- Cover the Eggs with Water. Place your eggs in a saucepan and cover them with water.
- Bring to a Not-Quite-Boil. Heat the eggs over high heat until you see small bubbles start to rise through the water. This is NOT a full boil, just little bubbles coming to the surface.
- Remove from the Heat and Cover. Take the saucepan off of the burner, switch off the heat, and cover the saucepan with a lid. (If you don’t have a lid, you can use a metal cookie sheet.)
- Rest for 15 Minutes. Let the eggs sit covered in the saucepan for 15 minutes to finish cooking.
- Place in an Ice Bath. Place the cooked eggs in an ice bath for at least 5 minutes or more.
- Enjoy! Enjoy your perfect hard boiled eggs, especially the easy peeling!
How Do You Make Hard Boiled Eggs Peel Easier?
This simple cooking method is the best way to make perfect hard boiled eggs that are easy to peel. You can also maximize your success with these helpful tips:
- Use Older Eggs: It is true that very fresh eggs can be more challenging to peel. This is because they have less air in the shell. Older eggs will have a little more air in the shell, which can make them a bit easier to peel.
- Don’t Skip the Ice Bath. When the timer goes off, immediately remove the eggs from the hot water and transfer them to the ice water. The shock of the rapid cooling doesn’t just keep them from overcooking, it also helps create a slight contraction between the egg whites and the shell, making peeling easier!
- Tap and Roll: Peeling an egg with a few hard knocks on the counter can break apart the egg and make it harder to peel. Instead, gently tap and roll the egg on a hard surface to create lots of tiny cracks in the shell without breaking the egg.
Helpful Tips
But wait, there’s more! Yep, I’ve got even more tips for making great hard boiled eggs that I’m happy to share. Who knew that such a basic food item could have so many quirks, right?
- Use a Timer: Eggs that are overcooked tend to have greenish, slightly dry yolks, which are fine, but not quite as soft and tasty as those just-cooked yellow yolks. Using a timer can help you keep track of the eggs and not overdo them.
- Peel Under Water: I love peeling my eggs under water, to wash away any tiny bits of shell that cling to the egg white and leave a perfectly smooth, grit-free egg.
- Egg Slicer: I’m not going to say you must buy an egg slicer… but you really must buy an egg slicer for your hard boiled eggs! Just kidding, but they are handy for making perfect slices, and they are easy to clean. You can also use them to slice strawberries, mushrooms, and other small ingredients.
Yummy Serving Suggestions
Hard-boiled eggs are so versatile. Tuck them into your lunchbox for a quick, healthy snack on the go, serve them for breakfast with a little tamari sauce, or use them to make one of these healthy recipes:
- Deviled Eggs: No one in my house can resist deviled eggs, especially these Spicy Deviled Eggs with prosciutto and Sriracha. I bet they’ll be a favorite in your house, too!
- Garden Salads: Hard-boiled eggs are wonderful in all kinds of salads. This White Bean Tuna Salad is a must-try – it’s loaded with healthy protein and fiber.
- Egg Salad: Make a sandwich, spread it on a bagel, or eat it as-is – there’s no wrong way to enjoy homemade Egg Salad. It’s quick, easy, and scrumptious.
Storing Hard Boiled Eggs
You can choose to peel the eggs before storing them, or keep them unpeeled. Both options have their advantages.
- Storing Peeled Hard-Boiled Eggs: Peeled eggs are ready to eat, but they have to be stored in a container like a zip-top bag or airtight container. To keep them from drying out, add a clean, dampened paper towel. They will keep for about three days.
- Storing Unpeeled Eggs: Unpeeled eggs have a slightly longer shelf life, and don’t have to be stored in a container. They will last for about one week.
Can I Freeze Hard Boiled Eggs?
I don’t recommend freezing hard-boiled eggs. They are safe to eat after freezing, but it does affect the texture significantly. The water in the whites expands during freezing, and then leaks out once the eggs thaw, creating a spongy texture that doesn’t work well for most recipes or snacks.
Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- water enough to cover the eggs while boiling, and more for the ice bath
- ice for the ice bath
Instructions
- Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover them with water.
- Heat the eggs over high heat until small bubbles start to rise through the water. This is NOT a full boil, just little bubbles coming to the surface.
- Take the saucepan off of the burner, switch off the heat, and cover the saucepan with a lid. (If you don’t have a lid, you can use a metal cookie sheet.)
- Let the eggs sit covered in the saucepan for 15 minutes to finish cooking.
- Place the cooked eggs in an ice bath for at least 5 minutes or more.
- Serve or store the hard-boiled eggs.
Notes
- Storing Peeled Hard-Boiled Eggs: Peeled eggs are ready to eat, but they have to be stored in a container like a zip-top bag or airtight container. To keep them from drying out, add a clean, dampened paper towel. They will keep for about three days.
- Storing Unpeeled Eggs: Unpeeled eggs have a slightly longer shelf life, and don’t have to be stored in a container. They will last for about one week.
I tried it. This method does not work for me. I followed the directions, only to end up with very undercooked, nay let us say raw, eggs that were inedible for the purpose I’d needed them.
I tried your Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs recipe and it was a total fail for me. I used 5 eggs in a small pan, watched for the ‘bubbles’ covered and timed it for 15 minutes. I put them into an ice water bath after timing and waited 5-6 minutes. Cracked one open….it was raw! Just wanted to share my experience.