How to Hard Boil Eggs Perfectly Every Time

If you’re wondering how to hard boil eggs perfectly every time, you’re in the right place! Hard-boiled eggs are a versatile and delicious way to boost your protein intake. This new method for hard boiling eggs is simple, especially when you know the easy tricks!

Who’s Ready for a New Way To Hard Boil Eggs?

We love hard-boiled eggs at our house, and there are so many ways to enjoy them! Peel and dip in salt and pepper for a quick and easy portable breakfast, lunch, or snack. Slice hardboiled eggs, and add them to a green salad, like my scrumptious Maple Warm Bacon Dressing Spinach Salad. Or transform hard-boiled eggs into deviled eggs or a lovely egg salad! These are just a few of our favorite ways to enjoy hard-boiled eggs. (Did you know that one large hardboiled egg has 6 power-packed grams of protein?!)

But how can you hard boil eggs perfectly every single time? I set out to discover just that.

When hard-boiling eggs with the traditional method, it’s hit or miss as to whether or not the eggs will cook consistently. Or they might overcook and have that greenish gray-colored ring around the yolk. Ick! But there’s a new method in town and it’s so easy to do. Just steam them!

Steaming eggs guarantees a consistent heat temperature for all the eggs all of the time. That consistent temperature creates the perfect hard-boiled egg!

How To Make the Best Hardboiled Eggs

You only need two ingredients to make perfect hardboiled eggs — raw eggs and water! Beyond that, it coms down to the equipment used. I used a large stock pot and colander, but you could also use an Instant Pot with the steamer basket! We’ll discuss that more in the FAQs, but in the meantime check out the step-by-step instructions below.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Add an inch or two of water to a large frying pan or stockpot that has a lid, and place a metal steamer basket over the water. Water level should be just below the level of the steamer basket. (Optional: add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the water.) Make sure you have enough water that it doesn’t boil dry!

Bring water to a boil over hight heat on the stovetop. Add eggs to the steamer basket and immediately cover tightly with the lid. (Water should not be touching the eggs.)

Continue boiling the water for 13 minutes over medium-high heat, then remove from the heat.  Immediately transfer eggs to an ice water bath. (A ladle or slotted spoon works great!)

Cool eggs completely, then crack and peel them to use in your favorite recipes!

Tips for Success

• Fresh eggs can be more difficult to peel, so I recommend using older eggs. (If you’re concerned they’re too old, do the float test! Fill a tall glass with water, and place the egg inside. if it sinks, it’s good; if it floats, it’s bad.)
• Be careful to have enough water below the steamer basket so it doesn’t boil dry.
• I prefer organic eggs because they have more nutrients, taste better, and have a vibrant color.
• So this is fun. To center the egg yolk of a hard-boiled egg, always store tip-down (wide side pointed up!) in the egg crate. Best to arrange them this way at least a day before you hard boil your eggs.
• Steam eggs when they’re at room temperature as opposed to straight from the fridge. This will make them less likely to crack while cooking, allowing the white to seep out. (This can be a nightmare for peeling later.)
• If you don’t have time to wait for the eggs to come to room temperature, place your cold eggs in a bowl of hot tap water for about 5 minutes before hard-boiling them.
• Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the water for easier peeling.
• Some people swear by pricking the wide end of each egg with a thumbtack before cooking. This is supposed to release the inner pocket of air and prevent the egg shells from cracking while cooking. I’ve tried it myself, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
• Hard-boiled eggs are easiest to peel right after they’re cooked, so peel as soon as they are cool.
• Steam eggs for exactly 13 minutes for a fully cooked, yellow center. Cook 10-11 minutes for a softer center.
• I use a stainless steel vegetable steamer basket with metal feet on the bottom. (Eggs should not touch the water.)
• While the eggs steam, prepare an ice-cold water bath by adding ice and cold water to your kitchen sink or a large mixing bowl.
• It’s easy to transfer hot, hard-boiled eggs one by one to the ice bath with a ladle, slotted spoon, or ice cream scoop.

Storage Instructions

Store hardboiled eggs with the shells on and in-tact for up to 7 days in the fridge. If you want to peel them to make eating them alter more convenient, go for it, but be aware they’ll only last up to 4 days this way.

Enjoy them throughout the week cold or let them come to room temperature. It’s up to you! This perfect hardboiled egg recipe is perfect for meal-prepping healthy meals (especially lunches) ahead of a busy week. Also a great snack to grab on the go for kids and adults alike!

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you peel hardboiled eggs?
  After the eggs have soaked in an ice bath for a few minutes, you can remove the shell easily by rolling the cooked eggs on the counter with the palm of your hand to loosen the shell. Then, simply remove the peel. This method shouldn’t take any egg white with the peel. 
• Can I make hardboiled eggs in the Instant Pot?
  Yes! I learned how to make Instant Pot hardboiled eggs from Kristen at “A Mind ‘Full’ Mom.” Pour 1 cup of cold water into the insert of your Instant Pot. Place however many eggs you’d like to cool on the device’s steamer rack. Seal the pressure cooker, and set it to cook for 5 minutes on HIGH pressure. After this time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Then, manually release any leftover pressure by opening the sealed vent very carefully with a spoon or dish cloth to protect your hand. Carefully, remove eggs from the pressure cooker and place it in an ice bath for 5 minutes. Then, remove eggs from the ice bath, peel, and enjoy! This method is guaranteed to cook them perfectly every single time because you’re using a controlled environment — the Instant Pot!
• Can I make hardboiled eggs in the air fryer?
  Yes! (I mean, really, is there anything your air fryer can’t do?!) Simply place some cold or room temperature eggs in your air fryer that has been sprayed with nonstick spray and preheated to 250 degrees. Cook for 16 minutes, and then immediately place them in an ice water bath to halt cooking. Peel the eggs as directed above, and enjoy!

More Egg-cellent Recipes To Try

• How To Make the Perfect Omelette
• Simple Eggs Benedict
• Summer Corn Omelette
• How to Bake Bacon in the Oven
• Easy Strawberry Crepes