Making the best hard boiled eggs isn’t difficult, it’s all about the exact amount of cooking time. I’ve found this method works every time!
Jump to RecipeI love hard-boiled eggs. I love to eat them plain or on a salad or for egg salad sandwiches or deviled eggs… there are so many easy recipes that use hard-boiled eggs. You can also use natural ingredients to make a dye for Easter eggs for the kids.
But it can be hard to get your eggs cooked to perfection. They either aren’t cooked quite all the way, leaving different colors in the yolk. Or they are overcooked and you get that strange green ring around the yolk. The perfect hard boiled eggs are cooked through completely and firm.
Soft-boiled eggs are those that aren’t fully cooked in the middle. The egg whites will be fully cooked and firm while the egg yolks will be soft in soft boiled eggs. Usually, this takes about half the amount of time to cook.
After a lot of trial and error, I have found the best way to get eggs perfectly hard-boiled every single time! It’s easy to do and doesn’t take any special equipment, only a large saucepan, water, and eggs with a bit of salt if you want.
When you place your eggs in the water, it’s a good time to check if the eggs are fresh. Older eggs will start to stand on their side or float to the top. You want your eggs to sink and lay on the bottom of the pan once it’s filled with water.
We always use large eggs as that’s what we can get easily from the grocery store. If you use extra large eggs or smaller eggs, the different sizes will require a slightly different cooking time. You may have to adjust the time and find the sweet spot for your eggs.
How to Peel Eggs
There are a few ways to peel eggs. For the best results, I like to tap them a few times against a hard surface, such as the counter or side of the sink. Keep doing that until you’ve cracked the shell most of the way around then carefully peel. Run the egg under a cold water bath to get any last pieces of shell off the eggs.
I’ve also seen people put the egg in a container with a cup of water and shake it up. So far, this hasn’t worked well for me but you can give it a try since it would take less time than peeling each egg individually.
Hard Boiled Eggs Step by Step
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- water
- 1 tsp salt
Preparation
Put your eggs in a large saucepan and fill it with enough water to completely submerge the eggs. There should be at least an inch or two of water over the eggs to account for the water that will evaporate when it boils.
Add a little bit of salt to the pot of water (optional) and turn the temperature to high heat. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
Remove the pot from the heat and immediately cover.
Set a timer for 13 minutes and keep the pot covered.
While the eggs are sitting in the hot water, fill a bowl with ice and water. When the eggs are finished, use a slotted spoon to move them immediately to the ice bath.
Leave the eggs in the ice water for at least 10 minutes for the easiest peeling.
Hard-Boiled Eggs Leftovers
Storage: You can store hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator after they are cooked. Don’t peel the ones you want to save for later so they stay fresh. I like to use an empty egg carton to keep extra hard-boiled eggs for up to 2 days so they are ready when I want them. Otherwise, an airtight container works to keep them for a bit longer.
Recipe
Originally Published On: April 19, 2019
Last Updated On: July 22, 2023
Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- water
- 1 tsp salt
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Put your eggs in a large pot and completely cover with water making sure the water goes an inch or two over the eggs and add salt
- Put the pot on the stove over high heat and bring to a full rolling boil
- Remove from heat and immediately cover
- Keep covered for 13 minutes
- Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice and water
- When eggs are finished, move immediately to the ice water
- Leave in the water for at least 10 minutes before peeling
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Other Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipes to try
- 5 Quick Ways to Use Leftover Hard-Boiled Eggs
- How to Make the Perfect Classic Egg Salad Sandwich
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- How to Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Super Easy Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe
- Classic Potato Salad
- How to Naturally Dye Easter Eggs with Kitchen Scraps
I don’t know what it is – and my husband always makes fun of me for it – but i am a slave to a medium or hard boiled egg lol I can eat them everyday for breakfast!
I only like them hard-boiled because a yolk even slightly runny grosses me out, but I could eat them almost every day too.
Wow I haven’t tried this way of boiling eggs. I generally boil them for 12 minutes and submerge them in cold running water. I definitely have to try it this way 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
That’s how I used to do it too, and would always get that strange green ring around the yolk after cutting the eggs. Ever since I started this method, no green ring!
I love hard boiled eggs, but they can be tricky to cook. Thank you for sharing your method! I have always just ran mine under cold water, but I will try putting them in water with ice next time!
I think the ice bath really helps to stop the cooking process so they don’t get overcooked once you get them where you want the yolk.
I love hard boiled eggs – I eat them all the time. I’ve never tried this method of making them though…
I could eat them all the time, too. This method has worked every single time for me to have them cooked perfectly!
HAHAHAHA Very nice! I will share this to my little brother because he don’t know how to boiled eggs perfectly thanks for sharing your idea!
It can be tricky to get them just right. I hope this helps your brother!
Wow, thanks for the tip on getting perfect hard-boiled eggs. I save this on Pinterest so I can have a reference when I need to make that yummy egg salad sandwich.
Happy to help! Egg salad is one of my favorite ways to eat a hard-boiled egg.
Making boiled eggs is not a difficult process yet your post even makes it easier. I love your tips. Thanks for sharing!
I agree, it isn’t hard but can be tricky to get the timing just right.
Oh those are perfect! I always struggled and then would have an issue removing the shell which tore up the outside so it was not pretty. My husband has recently taken to buying his from the grocery store each week! I need these tips!
I still have issues with that sometimes, too. Some eggs peel without any problems, others give me a hard time.
This is so helpful! I love hard boiled eggs but I always buy the ones premade in packages at the store because I always have a hard time making them. Will definitely be trying your recipe now!
Definitely give these a try! I’m sure they will taste fresher than the packaged eggs.
And this totally works, WITHOUT them cracking or cracking against each other? that is the step that always catches me, somehow – I always have a few that end up oozing out into the pot! 🙁
Yes! The only time I’ve had that happen is if I put one in that has a small crack already and didn’t notice it. Since you are adding the eggs before you turn on the heat, you don’t have to drop them in to avoid burning your fingers.
Hmm…will def have to give this a try the next time I am doing small-batch hardboiling, then! Thanks for doing the scientific testing for us!!! 🙂
That was really useful! Your eggs are delicious and ”good looking” too! Great tip putting them into ice in order to peal them easily!
The ice bath works most of the time. Now and then I still get stubborn eggs, but I just make those into egg salad so you can’t tell they didn’t peel nicely!
Those eggs really do look great! I have seen people prick a small hole in the top of the egg and they swear by it. I was always nervous doing that. I’ll have to try this.
Interesting, I’ve never heard of that method. Now I am curious to give it a try and see what difference it makes.
Though i don’t really eat eggs , This looks really simple and easy. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! Your post made it look so simple but I always get it wrong. I hope I’ll get it right next time. In addition, keep posting. your content adds flavor to my life: Literally. LOL!
I understand, it can be tricky to get the timing just right. I swear, 13 minutes seems to be perfect!
I never get perfect hard boiled eggs and it is so frustrating! I am going to follow this exactly next time.
Hopefully, these steps help you get those perfect eggs next time.
I love hard boiled eggs – well, actually, I love any type of eggs! But I’ve never tried this method of making them though… will try it out next time!
Give it a try, it makes it really easy to get them cooked perfectly!
Thank you so much for sharing your tips on this everyday meal in our household! I have never herd of submerging the eggs in cold water but I will give it a go!
The ice water is how my dad always does it, so I learned from him! It helps stop the cooking process and makes them easier to peel most of the time.
I did not know that method and will try it. My mom told me to put a little salt in the water which I have been doing. Next time, I will follow your steps. Happy Easter, Stephanie.
I sometimes salt the water too. I haven’t noticed much of a difference when I do and don’t, though. I’ll have to really pay attention next time on what it does to the eggs. I hope you had a Happy Easter as well!
I love all kind of boiled egg but I prefer it to be somewhat wet, boiling them for 3-5 minutes. Ive never done putting them in an ice bath.
Personally, I don’t like when the yolk is runny at all, it grosses me out. Therefore, I’ve never made a soft-boiled egg like that so I don’t know how much the ice bath will help, but it’s worth a try!
So do you just bring the eggs to a rolling boil and then immediately take them off the heat? Or do you let it sit there for a while. I was always told 12 minutes or so of rolling boil. Never thought about if I covered the lid and let it sit for a while.
I immediately take them off. The eggs are placed in the water cold, bring it to a rolling boil with the eggs in the pot. Remove from heat and cover for 13 minutes. After 13 minutes, remove the eggs and submerge them in ice water. I always did the 12 minutes at a boil and kept getting that strange green ring around the yolk. I’ve never gotten it with this method.
I totally love hard-boiled eggs too and agree there are so many uses for it. I knew thought about adding it to a bucket of ice cold water. Thank you for the tip! I hate waiting for it to cool down. Especially when I’m starving. I will definitely try this out tomorrow morning.
The ice bath helps cool them and stops the cooking and tends to make them easier to peel. I prefer my egg recipes cold, too, if they have hard-boiled eggs.
It always amazes me the hard boiling an egg, for as simple as it really is…can be so confusing. Thanks for making it simple and straight forward!
It really can be! The time is so specific to how well done the eggs are, and too long isn’t good, either!
I’m the worst at peeling hardboiled eggs. This ice trick is genius! I love it.
Now and then I still get ones that don’t peel well, but the ice bath definitely helps!
Perfect instruction. I used your method for hard-boiled eggs. It worked beautifully.
That’s awesome, I’m so glad it worked so well for you!
Peeling eggs are never easy for me. I have to try putting them in ice water from now on out.
The ice water bath helps a lot! Hopefully it works for you next time!