Prep: 5 min Is it possible to make PERFECT hard-boiled eggs every single time? Absolutely! This is the best hard-boiled egg recipe I know, and it’s an easy, simple, straightforward method that takes just 12 minutes (depending on your preference of “firmness”). I’ve been using this method for YEARS, and it’s still by far the easiest I’ve ever tried. There’s a reason it has a five-star rating. Try it out, and you’ll never go back to another hard-boiled egg recipe again!
The Best Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe: Simple and Foolproof
Have you ever boiled eggs just to find out that they were over or undercooked? It’s not fun wasting eggs, especially when they’re expensive, high-quality, organic eggs. It seems like boiling an egg should be so easy, right? Well, good news: it is!
Welcome to the SIMPLE way to boil an egg perfectly every time. This best hard-boiled eggs recipe has just a few steps, and I’ll show you how to peel them without a fight, too. Whether you’re adding them to an Avocado Egg Salad or potato salad, tossing them into a Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad, or snacking on them with a little salt and pepper, you can’t go wrong with a batch of perfectly boiled eggs.
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Why You’ll Love This Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe
- Foolproof – This method gives you the PERFECT texture every single time, with no complicated steps or special equipment.
- Ready in 12 Minutes – I tested several boiling times for making the best eggs, and 12 minutes is the perfect amount of time.
- Easy to Peel – A few simple tricks make peeling hassle-free, so you don’t have to fight with the shell.
- Great to Have on Hand – Hard-boiled eggs last about 1 week in the refrigerator, so they’re perfect for meal prep and healthy snacking. I almost always have a few on hand!
RELATED: Pesto Eggs Recipe
Ingredients
- Eggs – This recipe uses 6 large eggs, but you can easily use more or less, depending on how many eggs you need. Make sure they don’t have any small cracks before boiling them! For easy peeling, use older eggs. Fresh eggs can be harder to peel because the egg white membrane holds tighter to the shell.
- Water – You’ll need water for boiling, plus a large bowl of cold water (about 4-5 cups total) to cool the eggs once they’re done. This prevents them from overcooking!
How to Make the Best Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe
This method of boiling eggs will give you the PERFECT texture every single time. All you need is a stockpot or saucepan, a slotted spoon (opens in a new tab), and a large bowl (opens in a new tab). Here’s how to make the Best Hard-Boiled Eggs in 7 easy steps:
- Boil the water. Bring a stockpot or saucepan of water to a boil.
- Prep the cold water. While the water is coming to a rolling boil, fill a large bowl with cold water and place it in the refrigerator. Feel free to add ice, too!
- Add the eggs. Once the water is boiling, place the eggs into the water and bring it to a simmer.
- Set the timer. Set your timer for the desired time (10-14 minutes; see the section below on how long to boil an egg).
- Stop the cooking process. Remove the eggs from the boiling water when the timer goes off. I like to use a spider or slotted spoon! Place them in the bowl of cold water.
- Cool. Let the eggs cool for about 10 minutes.
- Peel. Remove the shell using the method below. Enjoy!
How Long to Boil Eggs
I tested several boiling times for making the best eggs, and the conclusion? 12 minutes is the perfect amount of time! That said, it’s personal preference depending on how “done” you want your eggs. Here’s a quick guide:
- 10 minutes – Lightly firm yolks or creamy yolks
- 12 minutes – Medium-firm yolk with tender whites (the perfect texture!)
- 14 minutes – Very firm yolks
TIP: Different stovetops, different amounts of water, and different eggs can all affect cooking time. Do your own test by running a stopwatch and removing eggs at different times. Once you find the right amount of time for YOUR desired texture, stick to it, and it’ll solve your egg boiling problems forever!
How to Easily Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs
Now for the next part: peeling the eggs! This has always been an area of struggle for me, but after trying several methods, I’ve found that keeping it simple is the best way. Here’s how to easily peel an egg after boiling:
- Make sure the egg has cooled down.
- Dry the egg.
- Crack it. Lightly tap the top of the egg on a countertop 2-3 times to crack.
- Start the peel. Carefully start the peel and slowly begin peeling.
- Finish peeling. Once the peel has started, use the side of your thumb (not your nail or the top of your thumb) to slowly peel the rest. Don’t rush it!
- Repeat as needed, peeling all your boiled eggs.
Tips
- Don’t rush the peeling process. The key to peeling eggs perfectly every time is to take your time and use the side of your thumb (not the top) to peel.
- Let the eggs cool completely. Make sure the eggs have completely (or significantly) cooled down before peeling.
- Check the shells first. Make sure the eggs do not have small cracks before boiling them. If an egg does crack while it cooks, it’s still safe to eat as long as it’s thoroughly cooked.
- Find YOUR perfect time. Every stovetop is different, so run your own test and stick with the time that gives you the texture you love.
- Dry before cracking. Drying the egg first makes it easier to handle while you peel.
Serving Suggestions
I love having hard-boiled eggs on hand because they’re so versatile! Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Sliced with a little bit of paprika, salt, and pepper (using an egg slicer saves a ton of time).
- Added to avocado toast.
- Used (instead of a poached egg) in this breakfast salad.
- Mixed into this avocado egg salad.
- Tossed into a healthy chicken cobb salad.
How to Store
Store your hard-boiled eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For food safety, get them into the fridge within 2 hours of cooking.
Hard-boiled eggs don’t freeze well (the whites become tough and watery), so I recommend making only as many as you’ll enjoy within the week!
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Healthy Egg Recipes To Try
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The BEST Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe
Equipment
- Stock Pot or Saucepan
- Timer
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 4-5 cups cold water
Instructions
- Boil the water. Fill a large stockpot or saucepan with enough water to cover the eggs by about 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Prepare an ice bath. While the water heats, fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. Set aside.
- Add the eggs. Once the water is boiling, carefully lower the eggs into the pot using a slotted spoon. Reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil.
- Set the timer. Cook the eggs according to your preferred yolk consistency:– 10 minutes: Lightly firm yolks with slightly creamy centers.– 12 minutes: Firm yolks that are still tender.– 14 minutes: Fully set, very firm yolks.
- Transfer to the ice bath. Immediately remove the eggs from the boiling water using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the prepared ice bath.
- Cool. Let the eggs sit in the ice bath for 10 minutes to stop the cooking process and make peeling easier.
- Peel. Gently tap each egg on a hard surface to crack the shell. Carefully peel, starting at the wider end of the egg, and rinse under cool water if needed.
- Enjoy! Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
Notes
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Check the eggs for cracks before cooking. Avoid using eggs with cracked shells.
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Lower the eggs gently into the boiling water to prevent cracking.
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Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size of the eggs, their starting temperature, and your altitude.
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Allow the eggs to cool completely before peeling.
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Gently tap the eggs on a countertop, then roll them to loosen the shells.
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Start peeling at the wider end, where there’s typically a small air pocket.
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Use the side of your thumb to gently remove the shell without damaging the egg white.
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Peel under cool running water if the shell is difficult to remove.
Nutrition
Did you make this? I’d love to see!
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Perfect eggs every time! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Erin. I’m glad you enjoyed these!
This is really useful post. I like hard boiled eggs, some time it won’t work perfectly as I needed.Your tips sounds great.
I love your method and photos. I have been a fan of steaming for years and have not boiled for a long time, but will need to give it a try again!
Such a helpful article! I love the way you show the difference in time. It helps to get a full vision as everyone in my house has different preferences. Thanks for sharing!
Yum! These hardboiled eggs are definitely the best. They peel easily, and taste fantastic. Thank you for the simple tricks to make it perfectly!