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.
Love the easy steps. It has been awhile since I boiled eggs. I appreciate the nutrition value at the end.
Excellent!! Will try it for sure.
Great easy short cooking time. Thank you.
That’s how I learned only I leave them 15min and place the pot under cold running water.
Thanks for the tips! Perfect boiled eggs everytime! 🙂
This is exactly how I boil eggs ..they turn out perfect every time ..no cracked shells.I would however like your recipe for a perfect fried egg..this has always been an issue for me.Thank you Rachel!
I have found the best way to have easy peel hard boiled eggs is to boil the water first then carefully put them in with the spoon. Every time I go to peel them,they are perfectly fine. I’ve done this over a dozen times and have no issues any with sticking shells anymore.
I Am so impressed with how accurate the 4- 12 minutes work. For the first time i can ask how hard someone wants theire eggs boiled.
I always reference this when I boil eggs since I can never remember how long to leave them!! Takes the guess work out of it. I grew up hating boiled eggs because my mom always boiled them 20 min (I mean at a full boil), and they were sooooo dry and definitely had the grey/green layer on the yolk. Thanks to you I never overcook my eggs
I am a very old lady who is probably the worst cook in America! I have been using many of your recipes during the pandemic…… and suddenly I am great. Love your easy to do and understand recipes. You are a wonderful young woman!