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.
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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.
N says
Perfection! I use X large organic brown.
Delicious.
Elana says
N, thanks for letting me know these were perfect!
Bev says
I just boiled some eggs using your method and they peeled perfectly! I had one with lunch and it was so good I had a second which is great because I’m test driving the keto diet. Thanks Elana.
Elana says
Bev, I’m so happy to hear my method worked perfectly!
Ralph says
I am so pleased with this method…it really works as you say. I know that elevation can affect things like this, but I live at a similar altitude, so I felt confident that I could trust it. Thanks for all of your experimentation that brought this about.
Elana says
Ralph, so glad to hear you were pleased with this method! I love it too :-)
Charlotte says
I’m glad to know this and will try it sometime, especially with a gas stove. I admit, though, that with my electric stove, I do get great success by starting them in cold water, bringing them to a boil, then covering the pot, turning off the stove, and letting them sit for 13 minutes. I use large or x-large eggs. I peel the hot ones under cold running water. Perfect every time. Just a suggestion for an alternative.
Elana says
Thanks Charlotte!
Crystal says
I’ve tried baking and steaming, but this has been the best! I use farm fresh eggs, so usually they’re a bit tougher to peel. Doing it this way, it was like the shell was evicting the egg! I’ve always struggled with time, but the 15 minute simmer was perfect! No green on my yolks, but not runny either! Thank you so much!!!!
Elana says
You’re welcome Crystal! Thanks for letting me know that this method is the best you’ve tried :-)
Kim says
Thank you for this! I don’t eat eggs, but my husband loves them. I thought it was kinda sad I had to google “how to boil eggs”, but am very thankful to find your site! One egg cracked when I put it in the water. Is there any way to avoid this in the future? Thanks, again!
Elana says
Kim, gently lower the eggs in with a spoon to avoid this issue. I’m so happy to meet you here :-)
Cyndi says
I can’t believe it worked so well! The shells practically slipped right off the eggs. Thank you for sharing!
Elana says
You’re welcome Cyndi!
pamela says
i tried your method and it came out fantastic.They were perfect. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Elana says
Pamela, thanks and so glad to hear that the eggs were perfect!
Pamela Bruno says
I’ve tried every method known to man with sad results! I haven’t had a decently peeled hard boiled egg in years!! I figured I’d give your method a try! Glad I did! They were perfect!! I couldn’t believe it!! I’m never going back!! Thank you!!
Elana says
Pamela, so glad to hear this was perfect!
Ginger says
Hi,
The instructions were perfect, the method was easy and the eggs are perfect. I have tried my mom’s way, Julia Child’s way and approximately 5 other methods. These were PERFECT, thank you!
Ginger
Elana says
Ginger, great to hear!