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.
Kate says
I find it hilarious that that most of the comments are to give you an even ‘better method’, even after you have written that you went through many trials and dozens of eggs! Well, I’m off to try your method and the steaming method. So I can make up my own mind! ;)
John Ashe says
My method is diffferent. I put eggs in a small pot with enough water to cover them. I bring the water to a boil and then turn off the stove. The hard-boiled eggs are perfectly cooked after about 10 minutes in the hot water.
John Ashe says
Nothing worse than an over-boiled egg ….
Esther says
Trying this now…thanks
Ruth Flanagan says
For years I have cooked my eggs by bringing the eggs and water to a boil then turning off the heat and letting them “cook” for 20 minutes., dousing them in cold water a couple of time to cool them off and putting them in the fridge. However, I have been very frustrated when they were so difficult to peel sometimes. I tried Elana’s directions and am so delighted at how my eggs turned out. The peels come off easily every time.
Thanks for sharing your ideas and for creating such easy (and easy to follow) recipes for all types of diets. I’m currently following the Paleo diet, though I’m not real strict about it. Have found your Paleo Cooking book quite helpful, especially for desserts and breads/muffins.
Ashlie says
I used to make my hardboiled eggs this way, until I discovered the steaming method, the egg whites and yolks are perfectly cooked, the texture is like no other hardboiled egg I’ve ever eaten, http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/04/steamed-hard-boiled-eggs-recipe.html
Henry says
For all of the different methods mentioned, it would really help if Elana and the rest of you would say whether you use cold or room temperature eggs. That seems to be a major factor not addressed.
Elana Amsterdam says
I’m boiling them straight out of the fridge :-)
Trish Elgee says
But do not use an aluminum pan. It turns the yolks green.
Dianne says
I tried Elana’s method and didn’t like that 5 out of 10 eggs popped/cracked open as I gently lowered them into the boiling water. I only eat the whites and there was quit a bit floating around in the boiling water. I’ll try steaming the next batch for sure. Thanks for the great tips.
Shaina says
I know it has been repeated above… I have to say, I completely agree; steam your eggs!!! I have 4 boys (including my husband) who love HB eggs, and egg salad made with my 3 minute homemade (citrus and soy free) mayo… Steaming is the way to go! Place as many eggs as your steaming basket will allow above 1-2″ of water, cover set to high on my gas stove, start timer for 16 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of cold ice water when the timer goes off, VOILA, perfectly hard cooked eggs. These are definitely easy to peel, no matter if they are brown, white, farm fresh, or old. It works; no green and smooth whites. This method is perfect for making deviled eggs too!
Kate says
Where do you get a steam basket that sits above 1 to 2 ” of water? My steam baskets ‘legs’ are only an inch long so my eggs will be sitting in the water.
truefeather77 says
Get a pan with a steamer insert — they’re far more convenient for someone who steams things regularly, They always leave a space between the boiling water and the basket. Some sets come with a double boiler insert, too — check Amazon, they have a few different brands.
Elizabeth Wieda says
I’m going to the kitchen right now to steam some eggs! Having never done this, I can only hope it will work, but if our Paleo lady says it does, then I am sure it will! Here’s to a better peeling egg!