How to Boil Eggs

Learn the best method for how to boil eggs to produce the perfect hard boiled egg every single time without any fuss. 

Step 1: Place eggs in the bottom of a saucepan. Be sure not to crowd the eggs in the pan. They should fit comfortably.

Step 2: Fill the pan with cold water, 1 inch above the eggs.

Step 3: Bring the water to a rapid boil on the stovetop over high heat.

Step 4: Once the water comes to a boil, cover the pan with a lid and remove the pan from the heat. Do not lift the lid. Set a timer for the type of boiled egg you want, from 4 minutes to 12 minutes.

Step 5: Fill a large bowl with ice and water.

Step 6: When the eggs reach the desired cooking time, use tongs to remove the eggs from the hot water and immerse gently into the prepared ice water to cool, about 10 minutes.

Step 7: Gently tap the eggs against a hard surface and peel away the shell. Rinse the egg under cold water to remove any bits of shell and pat dry.

How many minutes should I cook my egg? 

Soft Boiled (runny or very soft yolk) – 4 to 6 minutes

Hard Boiled (solid cooked yolk) – 8 to 12 minutes

TROUBLESHOOTING

Why does my yolk have a green circle around it?

Unfortunately, a green yolk means you’ve overcooked your eggs.

One of my eggs cracked while boiling. Can I still eat it?

Every once in a while an egg cracks while boiling and may leak some of the interior white and even yolk. The egg is technically still edible as it has been cooked, albeit a slightly different method. Usually I simply discard these eggs.

Why doesn’t my egg peel smoothly?

Sometimes when you peel the egg you may notice that bits and pieces of the egg come off with the shell. This is completely normal and will not affect the taste of the egg, only the appearance. There are many reasons why eggs do not peel smoothly. Fresh eggs are difficult to peel, while older eggs peel easier. There are many tips, tricks, and old wives tales as to how to peel an egg smoothly. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water, or a teaspoon of vinegar. Poke the bottom of the egg with a needle before cooking. Crack the eggs all over before putting them in the ice bath. These are just a few of the many tips and tricks out there.