If you want to know how to hard boil eggs, this foolproof stove top method has you covered. It makes perfect hard boiled eggs every time!
The Best Way to Make Hard Boiled Eggs
Having hard boiled eggs on hand for a quick breakfast on the go or to add to salads and sandwiches makes busy weekdays so much easier. This is one of the easiest recipes to make ahead for meal prep and it avoids the usual problems of cracking or over-cooking (which is responsible for that dark green color around the yolk).
I whip up a batch and refrigerate them to use in my quick Egg Salad, for Deviled Eggs, to add to sandwiches like my daughter’s favorite Egg Scallion and Tomato Sandwich and for easy salads like this Chickpea Egg Salad. If you have an electric pressure cooker, you can also make them in there using this easy Instant Pot Hard Boiled Egg Recipe, or try these Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs.
Why You’ll Love These Hard Boiled Eggs
- Fail-proof method. The method is simple: you cover the eggs with water in a pot and bring it to a boil. Once the water boils you remove it from the heat and let it sit, covered for 20 minutes. The steam cooks the eggs resulting in perfectly cooked eggs with no cracks.
- Healthy breakfast, lunch, or snack. Egg are low in calories, low-carb, and a good source of protein. They contain vitamin D, phosphorus, vitamin A (for healthy vision, skin, and cell growth), and two B-complex vitamins that your body needs to convert food into energy. Eggs are also a good source of riboflavin, selenium, and choline and high in carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin).
- Quick and easy. You only need eggs and water and the process of making these hard boiled eggs couldn’t be simpler. You can also make them for meal prep lunches and breakfast!
What You’ll Need
The ingredients for hard boiled eggs are as simple as can be. Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Eggs – Look them over before you get started to make sure there are no cracks.
- Water – Enough to cover the eggs.
How to Hard Boil Eggs
Here’s a quick overview of the steps involved in making hard boiled eggs. See the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Add eggs to pan. Set the eggs inside a medium pan and add water to cover the eggs by about an inch.
- Boil. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat.
- Steam. Once the water boils, turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 20 minutes.
- Peel. Use a slotted spoon to remove the eggs, then run them under cold water before peeling.
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip the cold rinse. This halts the cooking process to prevent overcooking and it also makes peeling easier.
- Use older eggs. I reach for the eggs that have been sitting in my fridge the longest, these are easier to peel than fresher eggs.
- Peeling made easy. Start peeling from the wider end of the egg, where there is usually an air pocket. This can help create a gap between the shell and the egg, making removal easier.
- Experiment with timing. If you prefer a softer boiled egg, reduce the steaming time in the hot water.
Ways to Use Hard Boiled Eggs
- Salads. Add them to your favorite salads for a boost of protein and nutrients. They go great in this Salmon Caesar Salad or on top of a Cobb Salad. You can chop them and add them to Rainbow Potato Salad, too.
- Sandwiches. Slice them up and put them on sandwiches. Try adding them to a BLT with Avocado or Avocado Toast with Egg.
- Deviled Eggs. A classic! Try these Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs for a fun twist.
- Egg Salad. Make an easy egg salad that can be used as a sandwich filling, dip, or topping for crackers. Tuna Egg Salad is one of my favorites.
Proper Storage
Hard boiled eggs will last in the refrigerator at least one week. I find it easier to peel them before refrigerating.
More Recipes That Use Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs with no cracks
- enough water to cover eggs
Instructions
- Place the eggs in a medium pan, and cover with about an inch of cold water.
- Turn heat on to medium and bring the water to a boil. When the water boils, shut the flame off and cover for 20 minutes, the steam will cook them. Run under cold water to let the eggs cool, then peel.
The hard boiled egg instructions took the frustrations out of my usual guessing. Thank you!
So glad!
Gina,
Am I starting on medium temp and turning up to high as it warms up because I don’t think will boil on medium?
Perfect eggs! My go to recipe for hard boiled eggs. So easy and no sticking!
I have been cooking hard boiled eggs this way. I purchased the OXO Good Grips Silicone Egg Rack from Bed Bath Beyond. I put it in a pan with the eggs small end down. Put enough water in the pan to come up to the top rim of the Egg Rack. Bring water to almost a boil, cover with lid, turn temp down to a simmer and I let the eggs cook (steam) 13 to 15 minutes depending on size. Watch pan so that the water does not boil dry. Then I use tongs to take eggs out and put in bowl of cold water. Then I put a small amount of water, maybe an inch, in a small glass jar, probably 8 oz jelly jar or similar size with a lid on it and then shake it in all different directions. The peel just comes right off. I like the Eggland Best Organic Eggs also. This method does not seem to make a difference on fresh or old eggs. Best way I have found to get nicely peeled eggs. I don’t have an Instant Pot ect. so this works for me. Plus egg rack on sale and was able to use their coupon.
Just a heads up..These are 2sp per egg on “Green” on the new myWW program.
Yes, I am considering going back to the Blue Plan because they were o SP. lol Oh well, you do get more points to use on the Green Plan. It probably all ends up the same in the end.
When making hard boiled eggs I use older eggs that have been in my fridge for at least a week. I boil them for 8 minutes, cool them in cold water and the peels come off easily.
I thought this article was abt Hard Boiled Eggs in the Air Fryer. I’ve only seen 1 comment.
I would like the temp and time for Hard and a nice Soft boiled egg in the Air Fryer. Can someone please give instructions. Thanks
Check out the narrative in this one https://www.skinnytaste.com/air-fryer-hard-boiled-eggs/
Try the comment about putting your cooked eggs in ice water putting a tight lid on and shaking it up and down for a minute or so. Your eggs will be magically peeled.
I follow my moms tips. Poke fat end of the egg with a tac, bring to boil remove from heat. Wait 20 minutes. Rinse and pop the fat end of egg against a hard surface ( !takes air blow thru and peeling is easier) I know she always said not to use fresh eggs.
I have found the best way to get shells to easily peel off is cook add a little salt and or vinegar to the cooking water.
The best way to cooked hard boiled eggs so that they are easy to peel is to bring the water to a boil first and than add the eggs. I use a slotted spoon to put them in the boiling water. I boil for 13 1/2 minutes and remove and put in ice water.
The perks will come off so easily even with fresh eggs! Try it once and you will never start eggs in gold water again.
This is a great method. The only thing I would add is to bring the eggs to room temperature before placing them in water. This helps the shells to come off easily when you peel them.
I have used this method for years with slight difference. I bring the eggs and water to a boil, turn off the heat (gas stove) and put a lid on and set the timer for 15 minutes. Perfection for LARGE or EXTRA LARGE eggs. I dump the water and shake the pan to crack the eggshells and run very cold water over until they are cool enough to handle. Peel eggs and put in a bowl with a paper towel to absorb any water and keep eggs from getting slimy.
I have found a brand (may not be available outside California) called “Egglands Best” They feed those chickens better food and they peel easily even when very fresh.
When at higher elevation (over 5000 feet) I boil the eggs for 2 minutes and let sit for 17 minutes. Water boils at a lower temperature at elevation than at sea level.
You’re up here with me inTahpe eh? I do the cooking times you mention@& because I actually raise my own mixed flock, I had to figure out what to do for DUCK eggs. They just require an extra minute on both the boil and steam ends.
I have used my Instant Pot to hard-cook eggs with wonderful success. And even better way with less work is with the air fryer for perfect, easy-to-peel eggs.
1. Preheat the air fryer set to 270 deg F.
2. Place eggs in the basket.
3. Air fry for 15 minutes.
4. Dunk the eggs in an ice bath to quickly cool them.
5. Store unshelled eggs in the refrigerator.
I use my Instant Pot to do mine…I set the pressure for 6 minutes…they recommend 8…too long
Going to try this method. Like others, the peeling is a nightmare! Recently I’ve been buying Egglands Best-they are the worst to peel -not sure why that is but going back to store brand. I tried adding vinegar and that didn’t help.
How strange! I buy Egglands Best and I have found them to be the ONLY brand that does peel easily when fresh. They do have a tougher membrane that must be pierced to allow peeling….I peel from the small end first which works for me. If you can feel the rough skin of the membrane then that’s your problem with peeling…gotta pinch it sometimes to break through it.
I switched to method you mentioned above (after years of boiling entire time) and used Egglands-maybe they were too fresh? I cracked them as well but still lost most of the egg. I’m going to try Egglands again as I do like their nutritional value. Thanks for tips! Love these eggs so it won’t deter me!
I have the same issue with Egglands, went back to store brand too.
Good to know I’m not losing my mind or the only one with this brand. Bought some to try again—nope, lost most of egg when peeling! Back to store brand eggs for me!
I recently learned that the key to not losing half the egg while trying to peel them is to do so immediately after cooking. I was letting them cool off for a few minutes before peeling, but had terrible results. My sister gave me her method and it works very well for me: take eggs straight from fridge and bring to boil. Remove from heat, cover and let sit 15 minutes. Drain water, rinse with cold water and peel immediately. I’ve tried this method 3 times now, and it has worked perfectly every time. After watching a show on PBS about the different grades of eggs and what they REALLY mean, I use organic, pasture-raised eggs. Yep, they’re $7 a dozen, but I think they’re worth every penny. Vital Farms is my favorite brand.
Trying to figure out if I’m doing this correctly? I have an electric stove (not gas) and it is taking 45 minutes to boil the water from cold with the eggs in the pot! Does that seem correct?
Thanks!
The secret to eggs that practically peel themselves is to boil like it says at the beginning of the article except i turn mine off when they start boiling and then let them sit until they cool on their own, then take a little of the water out of the pan, put the lid on, and then shake that pan up and down for about a minute, and surprise, they will be almost all the way peeled. The shaking up and down with the water just magically peels them. It’s a life saver for me because I hate peeling eggs.
Greetings! I’m new to your page and I couldn’t help but admire that simple yet delicious looking lentil ensemble in the picture with the eggs. Is that part of your regular diet? I’ve just never tried lentils on their own and it looks like something id like to try. Thank you!
I love lentils, they’re a great addition.
Should I peel all of them right away? Or should I wait until I eat them. Does it peel easier one way or another?
They are sometimes called hard cooked eggs not boiled.
anyway a good way to peel them quickly is to put them on the counter and then roll them like you do citrus before you get the juice out.. Give them a good roll with hand and include the ends and the shell practically fall off.. no pick pick pick at them
SO you cover the eggs with water OR you put 1 inch of water in the pan?
Cover the eggs with water up to about an inch higher than the eggs.
Omg!!! Love hard boiled eggs but stopped making them for awhile because could not peel them properly. Cooked as recommended and shells just slipped right off !! So happy!????
You missed one step.
Add a tablespoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of food coloring when the water starts to boil. It colors the eggs so you know which ones are hard boiled and which ones are raw.
Nothing worse than grabbing the raw one when you want hard boiled, or the hard boiled when you want raw….. this way it’s pretty and you can see it quickly.
Who says colored eggs are just for Easter anyway?
How do you get the shells to peel easier? i feel like it takes forever to get all the sticky pieces to peel off.
help
Older eggs peel more easily. The dates are printed on the sides of the cartoon, but I always have to google to decipher what the numbers mean. But yeah the older the egg the easier it is to peel. This is why farm fresh eggs are impossible.
Try bringing them to room temperature before placing them in water. Works for me!
If you do more than 4 eggs, does the time increase? Like if I wanted to do six or a dozen eggs at once, would I need to let them sit longer than 20 minutes?
Doesn't matter how many eggs you cook just use a pot accordingly and make sure you cover them with enough COLD water and use the same method .
I love your site_ I'm a lifetime member with W.W. and always looking for new ideas. Thank you
I steam my eggs. Set the timer for 20 min, take them off the heat after 10 min and then after the 20 min get a bowl with ice water, put them in it and take the shell off. comes off easily, I usually crack it all around and I'm cleaning them under running cool water. Before that I was always frustrated with getting the shell off. I eat an egg every day. I usually make 6 at a time. Eat one a day. I read on a health site that its good for your heart. I just started WW and I'm so happy with this site.
I do similar. I use Jumbo size organic eggs. I place bamboo steamer into large skillet first, then add water, then turn on heat to begin boiling the water. I place the eggs with tongs into the steamer, usually 6 maximum.They steam in bamboo steamer 18 minutes, timer used. My ice water bath bowl is ready before I begin steaming. I use tongs to immediately remove eggs from steamer and place into ice water bath. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes. Then roll the eggs one at a time on flat surface to crack the egg's shell. Then under cool running water, I remove eggshell. I rinse the egg under cool water then place each egg into a bowl. Into refrigerator.
I always steam mine- in a double boiler with water brought to boiling–extra lg. eggs: 18 minutes; lg. eggs: 17; sm. eggs:16 mins. I never let the water touch the eggs–just steam. As long as they are not brand new eggs, they turn out perfectly–peelings usually just slide off. After they boil the right amount of time, I remove the steamer with the eggs and start running cold water over them till all water is cold. (I don't have to dirty another bowl or pan. I sometimes add ice to cool it down faster. I then roll the eggs to crack the shell. I hadn't thought to remove them under cold water, but that's a though. The shells always peel right off, sometimes almost the entire shell as long as the eggs a week old. New eggs don't like to peel easily when boiled.
I'm amending the above. I use a small kettle with a steamer basket, but when boiling a lot of eggs, I used the double boiler and a disposable aluminum pan that I gouge holes in for the steamer basket set on a stainless "egg poaching" rack. I reuse the disposable pan many times!
Oh yea….and to comment on the recipe…I LOVED it! It was so good I'm planning on this being my "out the door in the morning" meal.
I saw a tip on Pinterest and it works!! if you put 1/2 tsp of baking soda in the water when it boils, the shells come off easy and clean!
This method is very similar to one I use. Start eggs in pot of cold water, bring to a boil on med- high heat, as soon as it starts to boil pull from the heat, cover 10 min. Perfect every time. Tender and no gray/green. Using the older eggs (not expired, of course) definitely helps with the peeling, fresh eggs are hard to peel.
Turn your eggs over in the carton the night before you're going to cook them. This will center the yolk if want to make deviled eggs with them. Best tip ever. 😉
This is a great TIP! I hadn’t heard this one before! Thanks for sharing.
I read that if you let the refrigerated eggs sit in the pan filled with water for about 1/2 hour before boiling, that they are less likely to crack when you do boil them.
Another tip–if you take cold eggs out of the fridge, soak them in a bowl of warm water while you wait for the water to boil. This way their shells won't crack when you drop them in the boiling water to hard-boil them.
You put the eggs in the pot with the water and then boil It allows them to warm up slowly and that way you aren’t messing around putting eggs in boiling water. Easy way to get burned
When you shut off the heat and cover the eggs for 20 minutes, do you keep the pan on the heat or set it aside so it's on a cool surface??
Every website I have seen says you remove it from the heat and put it on a cool surface.
How long can hard boiled eggs keep in the refridgerator?
I am wondering this too! Anyone know?
This website says one week:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news/NR_040706_01/index.asp
These really did turn out perfect and very tender! I had always done it according to the Better Homes and Gardens Red and White Cookbook where you are cooking them the whole time. I like this way a lot better.
I've always hard boiled eggs this way, although I call them done at 15 minutes. The nice thing about doing them this way is your yolks are never that green-grey colour! Also, another tip for you, don't use your freshest eggs for boiling. Use up your older ones instead, the shell peel off much easier and cleaner when the eggs are about a week old. My parents ran an egg farm when I was a kid, so I know lots of odd egg facts!
Yes, I believe 3 egg whites is one point.
So… if I hard boil an egg and don't eat the cooked yolk, it'll be 0 points?
Sarah
I finally succeeded in making one tonight after failing miserably the previous two times! Yay progress..and it hit the spot
Oh, I never boiled them this way.
I boil them 8 mins and then they are hard boiled.
But I guess I save energy if I do it your way, and I won’t risk breaking the egg!
I'd highly recommend it. I've been using that method for many years and they are perfect every time!!
The only way I've cooked hard boiled eggs for years. Works perfect every time.
Your blog makes my taste buds go crazy!!
Is there a way to add you to my entrecard favs?
Gina, The new look is great!
Eggs are my secret too. I usually eat one egg with a piece of fruit for a very low weight watcher breakfast. It’s low in carbs too for those watching their carbs.
I have been going to the gym on my lunch hour. Maybe I should boil up some eggs to eat after I am done. Right now, I am hungry and exhausted.
Dusty
I just had some today!! lol
Boiled eggs are one of my sneaky little secrets. I eat a couple of those, drink water, and then maybe much on some almonds a bit later, and HUNGER BE GONE!
Love it, because they’re good, and they’re filling!
Mmm those look good, great idea for a low point snack especially for breakfast.
These hard boiled eggs do look perfectly cooked and looks delicious for breakfast!