I’ve been figuring out how to make hard boiled eggs perfectly for my whole married life…that’s 15 years of testing! With Easter around the corner, I’m sharing all my best tips with you!

I’ve seen all the hard boiled egg outcomes out there…yolks not done, eggs cracking, gray yolks, impossible to peel, the whites are rubbery, etc.

I’ve also tried all the different tips and tricks out there…baking soda, vinegar, salt, rolling the egg, baked in the oven, Instant Pot, egg cooker, etc. The method I’ve found that works best is simple and you’ll have perfect hard boiled eggs in minutes!

Two hard boiled eggs that are cut in half.

It all starts with the kind of eggs you buy, and steaming the eggs is the key. The yolk is cooked perfectly and is a bright vibrant yellow. They peel easily. And the taste is right on the money!

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Brown Eggs

First tip, brown eggs work better than white. I’m not sure why. There’s probably some science behind it, but after testing both, brown eggs cook better and peel easier. So buy brown eggs! It works for white eggs too though, so don’t think you can’t use white.

Nine brown eggs laying on a counter top with a carton of brown eggs in the background.

Boil

Second tip, fill your pot with cold water, set it on the stove and place your eggs in the water. The water should be about an inch above the top of the eggs. Turn the heat on to high heat and let it come to a full rolling boil. As soon as the water is boiling, turn off the heat and place the lid on the pot while removing the pot from the burner.

Steam

Leave eggs to steam in the pot with the lid on to steam for 10 minutes. While you are waiting, fill a large bowl with ice.

Shock

When the 10 minutes of steaming is complete, remove the eggs to the ice bowl and over the eggs with cold water. This shocks the eggs and stops the cooking process. It also causes the eggs to shrink slightly within the shell so they are easier to peel.

An egg carton with five hard boiled, brown eggs. One has been partially peeled.

Peel

Move the ice bowl to the fridge and allow it to sit for a few hours or up to overnight before peeling so that the eggs are completely cold. The shell will peel right off and they are ready to be eaten or used in your favorite recipes!

How to Use Hard Boiled Eggs

I love hard boiled eggs with a little salt and pepper just as a healthy snack during the day. They are a great source of protein and are filling. Then, of course, you can’t make our fabulous deviled eggs or our egg salad sandwiches without hard boiled eggs, and they are perfect in our harvest cobb broccoli salad or on top of hot and sour soup. They are so versatile!

seven brown hard boiled eggs on a counter

How Long Will Hard Boiled Eggs Keep?

Hard boiled eggs should be stored with the shell on in the refrigerator. They will be good in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Do Hard Boiled Eggs Need To Be Refrigerated?

Yes! Eggs, especially when cooked, should be stored in the refrigerator.

Why Is It Hard To Peel A Hard Boiled Egg?

When eggs are cooked, they expand a little and adhere strongly to the inner shell of the egg. That can make eggs difficult to peel, but if you follow the tips listed in this post, it should be pretty easy.

Several brown eggs that have all or part of the shell remove and two have been cut in half.

Now that I’ve walked you through the steps and tricks for how to make hard boiled eggs perfectly, you’re all set for Easter and all those yummy recipes out there that use hard boiled eggs!

More Recipes that Use Hard Boiled Eggs:

 

Hard Boiled Eggs

5 from 1 vote
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 1 min
Cook Time: 10 mins
Resting: 3 hrs
Total Time: 3 hrs 11 mins

Description

These delicious hard boiled eggs are a cinch to make, if you do it correctly

Ingredients 

  • 8 Large Eggs

Instructions

  • Place water in a large saucepan and set on the stove
  • Add the eggs, being sure that the water totally covers them.
  • Turn to high heat and bring to a boil. As soon as the water is boiling, turn off the heat and place the lid on, removing the pan from the burner.
  • Allow to steam for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice.
  • Remove the eggs directly to the ice bowl and cover with cold water.
  • Allow to sit in the fridge for a few hours, up to overnight before peeling so that the eggs are completely cold.

Notes

Brown eggs do tend to peel easier, but any eggs work
 
Hard boiled eggs can be kept in the refrigerator for 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1eggCalories: 81kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 7gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 211mgSodium: 81mgPotassium: 78mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 306IUCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 200+ Easy Side Dish Recipes Every Mom Needs
Cuisine: American

Two hard boiled eggs that are cut in half.

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