My boys love hard boiled eggs, and so do I. Since eggs are a healthy, high-protein, real food snack we’re in luck. I’ve been teaching my boys basic cooking skills since they were in kindergarten. I think knowing how to boil eggs, i.e., how to make a hard boiled egg, or a soft boiled egg (same thing, less time), is a basic kitchen skill that is important to have. Although the boys have been preparing scrambled eggs perfectly for over a decade, I had not yet transmitted a superior process to them for making hard boiled eggs.
After much trial and tribulation, with dozens of batches of eggs, over several weeks, I can assure you that this tutorial will teach you how to make the perfect hard boiled egg. And now my boys have this knowledge as well.
How to Boil Eggs
Ingredients
Instructions
- Use a medium sized pot (I use this 4 quart pan )
- Add 3 inches of water to the pot and bring to a boil
- Gently lower eggs into boiling water with a spoon
- Reduce heat to medium, so that water is simmering
- Cook for 15 minutes for hard boiled eggs
- Remove eggs from water with a spoon, allow to cool on a plate for 5-10 minutes
- Crack shells on counter and peel eggs
Equipment
The first method I tried was to place the eggs in the pot, add water, and then together bring the eggs and water to a boil, letting them simmer for the cooking time. Using this method, the cooking times were not very consistent or reliable, and the eggs were extremely difficult to get out of their shells. I also experimented with bringing the eggs to a boil in the water and then turning off the heat to allow the eggs to cook. Again, cooking times had too much variation and the eggs were quite a challenge to peel. There were other experiments too, though I won’t go into each and every one. Suffice it to say that the method I landed on, i.e., bringing the water to a boil, adding the eggs to the pot, then simmering the eggs for 15 minutes, is a sure winner.
One other piece of the “how to boil eggs” puzzle that I studied is how to get the eggs in and out of the water. Many recipes for hard boiled eggs recommend using a slotted spoon for this. Truth be told, I don’t own a slotted spoon. I use a regular ol’ large spoon from my flatware set to get the eggs in and out of the hot water.
The next piece of the puzzle was finding the easiest way to remove the eggs from their shells. So, what is the best way to peel a hard boiled egg? Contrary to my initial thoughts, the winning method did not involve a cold water bath. Simply removing the eggs from the boiling water, and setting them on a plate to cool for five to ten minutes was the most fool proof method. This cooling time is literally to allow the eggs to come to a temperature where you can safely handle them without scorching your hands.
Just in case you have other ideas for ways in which to cook eggs, I have compiled the handy dandy chart below. You can make everything from three minute eggs (serve in a cup, eat with a spoon) to hard boiled eggs, and then some in between.
Finally, make sure to set a timer when you make hard boiled eggs so that you do not overcook them! When that happens, the yolk gets a nasty greenish grey ring around its outside, and the white becomes rubbery. No bueno. The best way to prevent over cooking your hard boiled eggs is to watch the timer, and remove the eggs from the hot water as soon as it goes off.
So now you know how to boil eggs! Hard boiled, soft boiled, there you go! What will you do with your hard boiled eggs? If you’re looking for deviled egg recipes, try my Deviled Eggs, and stay tuned next week for my Guacamole Deviled Eggs! The boys are big fans of both and regularly devour batches after school.
Christine says
Tried making these this morning and perfect turn out! Thanks.
DocSavage says
The fresher the egg the harder it is to peel after cooking. I’ll have to try some of the tips here to see if they help.
Susan says
Thanks for tackling this, Elana! As you can see, there are quite a few of us that have been struggling with this. We have an egg cooker that works pretty well, but “she” usually doesn’t travel with us! We will try this, and the steam method, too.
How did we survive without the internet?! I love learning something new every day.
yummychickenrecipes says
I remember reading someplace that when big chefs hire new cooks, they often ask them to make scrambled eggs – as this is the best test of a cook’s skills. I would hazard that making hard boiled eggs correctly is also one of those basic skills that one must master. Thank you for this – will try your method – my hard boiled eggs are often quite impossible to peel.
Wren Stewart Tidwell says
Thanks! This worked perfectly. I’m also in North Texas. My eggs peeled so easily. I think one thing you left out was that eggs need to be the right age to peel easily. I read somewhere else that you need to wait at least 2-3 days after you buy them before boiling. Fresh eggs have a tighter seal on the shell.
carolingfw says
Unfortunately, I just tried Elana’s recipe at a fairly low elevation (north Texas), followed it to the T, and it didn’t work for me. Apparently, the elevation does matter. I’m going to try steaming next time!
Minnie@thelady8home says
Wow! This indeed is a helpful article. Too many times I end up with soft ones. Now get the idea how to get the hard one.
Carol says
Pressure cooking my eggs is my preferred method. Place them in a steamer basket in a pressure cooker. Cook them for five minutes using LOW pressure. Turn off the heat and let them release naturally – about another 2-3 minutes. They are perfect every time and are super easy to peel. Not to mention, the white is more tender than any other way I’ve cooked them.
D. Linehan says
Are the eggs you use at room temperature before going into the pan of boiling water?
Elana Amsterdam says
Hi there! I take the eggs straight out of the fridge and pop ’em in the water :-)
Anne-Marie says
Do these instructions work for high altitude? I’ve always boiled eggs for 20 minutes.