While making hard boiled eggs isn’t a complicated process, it can be difficult to find the right way. A lot of ways just don’t work out with overcooked yolks and hard to peel shells. With my method (and simple tips) I’ll show you how to have yolks that are cooked just right (without the yucky grey ring!) and they’ll be easy to peel every time.

Whole and hard boiled eggs.

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The Best Hard Boiled Egg Recipe

Making hard boiled eggs can feel like a really frustrating process. You feel like you’ve nailed it and then go to peel them and it goes downhill. Your yolks are overcooked with a grey ring and the shell just won’t come off. You end up with chunks of egg being pulled off with the shells. Halfway through you’re ready to throw in the towel.

Whether you’re making deviled eggsegg saladtuna salad, or eating them on their own, I’ll show you how to make perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs every time. You’ll have creamy, perfectly cooked yolks and shells that slide off leaving you with smooth, evenly cooked eggs.

I’ll show you a few simple tricks that make the whole process smooth. And hint hint… one of them is completely the opposite of most of the other recipes you’ll find online.

Why these are the Best Hard-Boiled Eggs

You’ll love this hard boiled egg recipe, for a few reasons:

  • It’s the last hard boiled egg recipe you’ll ever need! (And it works for soft boiled eggs too.)
  • Once you know how to make hard boiled eggs, you can make them perfectly every time.
  • With the perfect texture, they are delicious on their own or you can use them in recipes.
Eggs in egg carton.

Best Hard Boiled Egg Recipe ingredients

  • eggs: You’ll need a dozen large eggs for this recipe. The more the merrier.

    When there is more room in the pot, the more likely they are to crack. The eggs will bounce around in the water which increases the likelihood of cracking.
  • water: For hard boiled eggs, you’ll need water. Tap water works just fine.
  • ice: You’ll also need to prepare an ice bath for the eggs to cool down quickly after they boil.

Best Hard-Boiled Eggs substitutions

You can use any kind of chicken egg for hard boiled eggs. Brown eggs, white eggs and blue eggs will all work.

This recipe uses large eggs, but you can also do this method with medium eggs or extra large. Smaller eggs will cook faster, while jumbo eggs should be cooked longer.

This recipe will make hard boiled eggs and soft boiled eggs. The only difference is the time spent in the boiling water.

How to make the Best Hard Boiled Eggs

Here’s how to make the best boiled eggs ever:

  1. First, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to low. This helps you avoid the rumbling bubbles which can crack the eggs.
  3. Gently place the eggs in the water with a slotted spoon.
  4. Turn it back to high heat to bring water back to boiling.
  5. Boil for 10 minutes for hard boiled or 6-8 minutes for soft boiled.
  6. Immediately remove the eggs from the boiling water. Place them in an ice bath (bowl of ice water) until cool enough to handle.
  7. Peel the eggs and serve or place them in the refrigerator.
Hardboiled eggs in their shell, sitting in ice water.
Hard boiled eggs in a bowl.

How long to boil the Best Hard Boiled Egg

The cook time for hard boiled eggs is important. Over cooking them can lead to a grey green ring and a completely dry texture.

Hard boiled eggs should cook in boiling water for 10 minutes. Soft boiled eggs need 6 to 8 minutes, depending on how soft you like the eggs.

The eggs should be immediately removed from the hot water and placed in an ice bath. This will stop the cooking process and help the shell peel from the egg.

How to tell if an egg is hard boiled

To tell if an egg has been hard boiled, spin it! If it spins well, rapidly and stops easily, it has been hard-boiled. An egg that wobbles when spun is a raw egg.

How to peel Hard Boiled Eggs

Here’s how to peel a hard boiled egg:

  1. Gently tap the egg on the counter to crack the shell.
  2. Rotate it in your hand and continue tapping until it has cracked all over.
  3. Starting at the wider end, peel the shell off the egg.
  4. You can also hold the egg under water to help remove the shell.Hold the egg under running water or dip it in a bowl of cold water to help remove the shell.
Halved hard boiled eggs showing the yellow yolk inside.

 Best Hard Boiled Egg uses

Hard boiled eggs are delicious on their own, but you can use them in tons of recipes.

How to store the Best Hard-Boiled Eggs

Whether they are peeled or not, you can store hard boiled eggs in the fridge for one week. Store them a food-safe, airtight container.

Do hard boiled eggs need to be refrigerated?

Yes, hard boiled eggs should be stored in the refrigerator. Do not store them at room temperature for more than two hours.

Keep them in a food-safe, airtight container to prevent odors from seeping into the eggs.

How long do hard boiled eggs last in the fridge?

Hard boiled eggs will keep for one week in the fridge. They can be stored with shells on or off.

Can you freeze hard boiled eggs?

Do not freeze hard boiled eggs. The egg white will become tough and will acquire a watery texture, and they won’t be edible.

How long can hard boiled eggs sit out?

Hard boiled eggs can sit out at room temperature for no more than two hours.

Best Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe FAQs

Do hard boiled eggs float when they are done?

Boiled eggs don’t always float. Boiled eggs will float in salted water. In unsalted water, boiled eggs can float and it is usually an indicator of an older egg.

What is the secret to easy peel hard-boiled eggs?

Cooking the hard boiled eggs perfectly is the trick to the easy-peeling eggs. They should be boiled in water, then removed and immediately placed in an ice bath.

How do you know when hard-boiled eggs are done?

Hard boiled eggs are done when they have cooked in boiling water for 10 to 12 minutes. For soft boiled eggs, cook them for 6 to 8 minutes.

Do you put eggs in boiling water or cold?

Eggs should be placed in boiling water. While some recipes call for putting eggs in cold water, this isn’t the best method. By placing them in boiling water, you control the exact amount of time the eggs are cooking. When they are placed in cold water, you lose control over exactly how long they’ve cooked since they are beginning to cook before the water boils. You can end up with the grey ring and overcooked yolks.

How long do you keep eggs in cold water after boiling?

Eggs should be placed in an ice bath immediately after boiling to stop the cooking process. Leave them in the cold water until they are cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes.

More Egg Recipes

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Best Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe

By: sweetlysplendid.com
5 from 1 vote
Cook 10 minutes
Total 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Hard boiled eggs are so easy to make and so delicious in everything from egg salad to deviled eggs. Learn the best way to make hard boiled eggs perfectly every time.

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low (to avoid the rumbling bubbles cracking the eggs)
  • Gently place the eggs down in the water (I like using a slotted spoon).
  • Turn the heat back up to boiling.
  • Cook, boiling for 10 minutes for hard boiled or 6-8 minutes for soft boiled.
  • Immediately remove the eggs from the boiling water and place them in an ice bath.
  • Peel the eggs and serve or place in the refrigerator for later!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 72kcal, Carbohydrates: 0.4g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 186mg, Sodium: 71mg, Potassium: 69mg, Sugar: 0.2g, Vitamin A: 270IU, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Hi! I’m Kara!

Kara loves all things food and spending time with her family and dogs. She has a passion for cooking and loves making yummy, family-friendly recipes.

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