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.
Recipe is top notch and foolproof. I just take exception with the suggestion to throw out eggs that crack in the water. There is no reason to toss them unless you just like wasting food. The eggs are still cooked and perfectly edible. All you might need to do is drain out any water that got inside the shell (unless you like watery eggs).
I totally agree Dave. Eggs are too expensive to toss out just because they crack while cooking. I always manage to crack at least one but there is no difference to the taste.
I second this comment. The recipe is fantastic – I revert back to it again and again. Really want to thank the writer for the great content; but I would also love love love if we didn’t encourage throwing food away!
Yes! I always consider those eggs to be “chef eggs” and eat them while they are still a little warm. YUMMMM!
Yes Absolutely!! They make a great fast and easy egg salad sandwich
Great idea!!!
I’ll also add – put a little bit of vinegar in the water and if the eggs crack, the acidity reacts and stops spills from being as large – thickening the egg white.
I totally agree! Eggs are too pricey to just throw out. No need to do that.
First time I have made the most perfect boiled egg! Thank you so much for your tips – and – well – for the rest of your wonderful recipes! I made your lasagne (with the homemade sauce) and it was absolutely delicious!
Best eggs ever
The best way to make hard boiled eggs. Thanks!
Thanks for the tips to peel the eggs. I often ended damaging the egg white while peeling them. I hope next time it come out as perfect as yours.
The best recipe in the whole wide world I love it my brother ate a lot he ate five he wanted to eat another but my mom told him to stop😘
Perfect!!! Thank you
Sounds great and easy! Thank you!
Perfect! This is the only way! THANK YOU!!!
How to adjust the cooking time with the eggs from fridge and room temperature? Thanks.
The adjustment would be so small and measured in seconds so it’s fair to say that you can use the same cooking times.