How to boil eggs

How to Boil Eggs Perfectly Every Time

What’s a perfect boiled egg? The whites are firm but not rubbery and the yolks are cooked but still creamy. We’ll share a fool-proof method to boil eggs on the stovetop, including how long to boil eggs so the yolks are cooked the way you like. Stick around and we’ll show you a couple more ways to cook eggs in the shell: in the oven and in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot.

Note: Very fresh eggs are delicious fried or scrambled, but older eggs are actually easier to peel. Your best bet for hard-boiled eggs that are easy to peel is to choose eggs you’ve had in the refrigerator for a week or two.

How to Boil Eggs on the Stovetop

There are two egg-related questions that come up all the time:

We recommend a 4-step method that starts with cold water. Why? Because this prevents overcooking the eggs. You’ll never have to deal with dry, chalky, overcooked eggs with weirdly greenish yolks again. Nothing but beautiful bright yellow yolks and amazing texture for you! So good, you’ll want to eat them with just a sprinkle of salt.

Three Steps to Perfect Hard Boiled or Soft Boiled Eggs:

1. Place eggs in a saucepan or pot and cover with cold water.

Eggs first, then water. Why? Because if you put the eggs in afterward, they might crack as they fall to the bottom of the pan. It’s no fun to learn this the hard way.

2. Put pan over high heat and bring water to a rolling boil. Remove pan from heat and cover.

How long does it take to boil an egg? Well, actually, you want the water to come just to a boil but not stay there. Eggs exposed to high heat for a long time go through a chemical reaction that turns the yolks green. So the answer to «How long do you boil hard boiled eggs?» is: pretty much not at all. Because the eggs cook in water that’s not actually boiling, some people use the term «hard-cooked» instead of «hard-boiled» eggs.

3. Drain eggs immediately and put in a bowl filled with water and ice cubes.

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You enjoy eggs and admire those who can make them. It’s time for you to learn and create your own masterpieces! This recipe will soon become your go-to: Scrambled Egg Muffins

You have mastered a few ways with eggs and are ready to take it up a notch. Try this recipe to learn some new skills: Spinach and Bacon Quiche

You’re not quite an expert, but you’ll get there! This sweet recipe will help you master your egg game: Chocolate Liqueur Souffles

You have all the ways with eggs mastered! Perhaps it’s time for a profession in cooking? Try this challenging, yet rewarding recipe: Honeymoon Eggs Benedict

How to Boil Eggs – 8 Easy Steps

Eggs are known to be a generous protein source. It is recommended to include eggs in your diet from childhood. There are a number of ways to consume eggs, but boiled eggs are one of the yummiest form of eggs. Today, you’ll learn how to boil eggs so that you can enjoy this easy snack in your breakfast, as a side in your lunch or as a midnight healthy snack.

How to boil eggs (Step-by-Step Instructions)

The market has a variety of types of eggs available. Not only do you get different animals’ eggs, but you also have further specifications such as organic. Chicken eggs are the most commonly used ones so that’s what we’re focusing on today. However, you can always go for the ones that you like the best. Once you have evenly-sized eggs, it’s time to start boiling them.

Our process of boiling eggs is a little different. You may be wondering who wouldn’t know how to boil eggs, but the truth is that there are definitely some tips you can follow to get the best results.

Step 1: take a pan

To start the process, you’ll need an appropriate pan. There are a fair few specifications that are required here. First of all, it should be wide and tall enough to hold the eggs and water. We’ll be using 4 eggs in today’s demonstration so we’ve opted for a pan that can hold 4 eggs side by side, without any one egg laying over the other. This stacking can prevent the eggs from getting cooked evenly. Moreover, the pan is big enough to hold the eggs along with plenty of water. Even when the water boils, there is no risk of it overflowing from the top.

The next thing is that your pan must have a lid. It is necessary to cover the pan in further steps. You can always use any heat resistant plate to cover the pan if it doesn’t have a lid.

Lastly, the pan should have a wooden handle. Some pans have metallic handles or none at all. The requirement of handles is important so that you can lift the pan and drain the water later on. Wooden handles are the best because they don’t heat up. Such pans make the safest option.

Step 2: choose eggs

Now, you’ll be adding the eggs in the chosen pan. Choose your eggs wisely. As previously mentioned, you’ll find a wide variety in the market. You have the complete freedom to choose whichever ones you want. However, pick the 4 eggs that seem to be of the same size and are of the same type, for example choose 4 organic chicken eggs that are almost all of the same size. This ensures the even cooking of all the eggs.

Next, clean the eggs using a paper towel. You can go a further step by washing them too. However, that isn’t really necessary because you’re going to be peeling the shell anyway. It is just a precautionary step that some people don’t mind.

Step 3: add water

After that, you will add water to the pan. There is no specific amount of water. It varies depending on the size of your pan. The general rule is to fill the pan enough that all the eggs are covered in water. Moreover, the level of water should be 1 inch higher than the eggs. Having the eggs covered in water allows the uniform distribution of heat throughout the pan. This is why using the right amount of water is crucial in the process of how to boil eggs.

Step 4: add salt

You are now going to add a teaspoon of salt in the water. Mix it well. When you talk of the process of how to boil eggs, the issue isn’t cooking the eggs. The problem is preventing the shell from cracking halfway between the process. Salt is added to eliminate this issue. You can also use vinegar as an alternative to salt. Moreover, they help the egg white harden even if it leaks. This won’t ruin or waste your egg despite any leaks.

Furthermore, adding salt helps increase water temperature. Boiling water usually gets to 100 degrees Celsius temperature. By adding salt, this temperature can rise further, allowing the egg to cook faster.

Step 5: boil the water

Now the preparations are done, it’s time to start boiling the water. Cover the lid of the pan and keep the heat setting of the stove at the highest level. Let the water boil. Once the water starts boiling, start a timer. Keep the heat on for exactly 3 minutes. Make sure that the water keeps boiling during these 3 minutes. Do not lower the temperature or uncover the pan. This can cause loss of heat and the final result may not be perfect if this is done.

Step 6: cook

The next step is to let the eggs cook. After the 3 minutes of boiling, you should remove the pan from the stove. Do not uncover the pan. As previously mentioned, taking the lid off will cause loss temperature and the eggs may remain uncooked. Leave the pan untouched for a further 10 minutes. The heat of the water will be enough to prepare the final eggs. This step will also make the next step safer.

Step 7: drain the water

Since the water has been off the flames for 10 minutes, it won’t be as hot now. Therefore, you can safely carry the pan to the sink now. Carefully drain all the water but keep the eggs in the same pan. Make sure to use oven gloves to prevent the heat from damaging your hands. Also, be extra careful when draining the water to stay safe from hot water splashes. When you first uncover the pan, expect a lot of steam. Keep your face and hands away from the top of the pan at this point or you could end up with severe burns.

Step 8: add cold water

You’ll now have a pan with 4 eggs. The next step is to add cold water in this pan. Once again, the water level should be one inch higher than the surface of the eggs. This step will lower the temperature of the eggs so the peeling process will become easier. Similarly, the cold water will harden the shell. Boiled egg shells tend to stick to the protein in the egg whites. This step will solve this problem and make peeling a very neat process.

How long to boil eggs

In the case of boiled eggs, you can alter the final product by cooking it for different time periods. This table summarizes the boiling time along with the softness of the egg.

As you can see, the eggs go from raw to soft boil in the first 5 minutes. The next 10 minutes harden the yolk further, resulting in a hard-boiled egg.

These cooking times aren’t restricted to the boiling stage only. In fact, in some cases, the post boiling cooking time is also added. The process and technique vary. Don’t expect the stated results by simply cooking eggs in boiling water for the mentioned time period. Following are detailed instructions on how to boil eggs for the perfect consistency.

How to hard boil eggs

A fully cooked egg is called a hard-boiled egg. The egg white, as well as the yolk, is solidified. Getting the perfect hard boiled egg isn’t easy. You’ll need to be precise or else either the egg will remain uncooked or it will become too hard due to overcooking. These steps will teach you how to boil eggs to get a fully cooked final product. The process is pretty much the same but there are a fair few specifications to take care of.

Step 1: prep

The first step is to prepare for the final product. Even before you put a pan on the flames, you need to grab a bowl. Fill it up with ice cold water. You’ll find out why later on!

Step 2: put the eggs in a pan

Just like the regular egg boiling, hard boiling eggs requires you to put in the eggs before adding the water. The pan specifications are similar too.

Step 3: add water

The next step is to cover the eggs in the pan with water. Once again, they should be at least 1-inch deep in the water to allow for uniform cooking.

Step 4: salt or vinegar

Adding 1 tsp salt or vinegar in water is a must in case of hard-boiled eggs. Since the cooking time is longer, the eggs are more likely to crack. Salt and vinegar both prevent this. Moreover, these act as agents that help the increase the boiling temperature of water. This is yet another important requirement for hard boiling eggs.

Step 5: boil the eggs

Now, add the eggs in your boiling water. Cover the pan with its lid. Let the water boil for another 3-5 minutes, depending on how hard you want the egg to be. Then, turn off the flames. Do not boil for over 5 minutes or else you’ll end up with an overcooked egg.

Step 6: cook the eggs

Let the eggs sit in the hot water for another 10 minutes.

Step 7: put them in ice water

Immediately after removing the eggs from the hot water, put them in the ice water you prepared previously. This will prevent the eggshell from sticking with the egg whites and will aid the process of peeling.

Step 8: peel and serve

Voila! Peel off the eggshells and your hard boiled eggs are ready to be devoured!

How to soft boil eggs

If you want to learn how to boil eggs with a runny yolk, this is the right place to learn everything you need to know. Soft boil eggs have a cooked egg white but the yolk remains raw. The egg whites also have a custard-like texture. Overall, soft boiled eggs are neither fully solidified nor liquid. Timing is vital in this scenario.

Step 1: choose a pan

As with regular boiling, a soft boil egg needs to be prepared in the right sized pan. It should be a good heat conductor so that uniform heat is maintained inside the pan. Moreover, the eggs shouldn’t be stacked.

Step 2: add water

Unlike regular boiling, soft boil eggs require the addition of water before putting the eggs in. You’ll have to be cautious with the amount of water you add in. Estimate how high your eggs will be and approximately add water that will cover the eggs entirely.

Step 3: bring it to boil

Turn the stove on the highest flame setting. Cover the pan with a lid and let the water come to its boiling point.

Step 4: add eggs

After the water has started boiling, lower the flames. The water will then start to continuously simmer. This is the stage when you have to add the eggs. You should be very careful – boiling water’s steam can cause burns. Similarly, eggs should be added cautiously too. Do not throw the eggs in or the hot water splashes can hurt you. Also, don’t get your hand too close to the water level when putting the eggs in as that increases the risk of getting the finger dipped in the hot water. You can use something like a tong to safely place the eggs in the pan.

Step 5: start the timer

Start the count of time immediately after the eggs are in the water. Don’t just estimate the time – use a timer since it is a game of seconds that can change your soft boil egg to a hard boil egg. Preset a timer for 5 minutes and turn it on as soon as the eggs land in the water. This is for when you want very runny yolks. If you like something slightly hardened that can still be eaten with a spoon, extend the time to 7 minutes.

Step 6: pour cold water

Now, your egg will be at the perfect stage. However, a few more seconds of heat can ruin that. In order to prevent that from happening, remove the eggs from the hot pan immediately. Drain the hot water carefully. Preferably, pull out the eggs from the pan. This will be quicker and will also prevent the heat of the pan itself from transferring into the eggs.

That’s not all. The egg itself will be warm enough to continue cooking. To tackle this, you need to add cold water in the pan holding the eggs. An alternative is to hold the eggs under cold running water.

Step 7: serve

Your soft boil eggs are now ready. Crack them open and serve in an egg cup!

How to peel boiled eggs

These tips are tried and tested for making egg peeling easier.

How to store boiled eggs

If you plan on keeping the eggs for a couple of days, you can store peeled eggs without a worry. Soft and hard boiled eggs both can be stored for up to 3 days easily. However, if you’re not going to be consuming the eggs within a couple of days, it’s best not to peel them. Generally, it is recommended not to keep the boiled eggs, whether peeled or not, for more than a week.

Always store the eggs in the refrigerator. But, do not keep them in the door. Since the door is opened frequently, it has a varying temperature. Cooked eggs must always be kept in the main part of the fridge.

Nutritional information for hard-boiled eggs

Eggs, in general, are known to be generous protein sources, as chicken for your information. Hard-boiled eggs offer a balanced nutritional value. The following facts are for 100g of hard-boiled egg.

You’ll find 373mg of cholesterol in 100g of hard boil eggs. Other than that, there is a total of 11g of fats. Out of these, 3.3g are saturated, 1.4g are unsaturated, and 4.1g are monounsaturated. 124mg of sodium and 126mg of potassium are also part of 100g hard boiled eggs. There are 1.1g carbohydrates which are all sugar. There is 0% fiber. Other than 13g of protein, you’ll also get plenty of Vitamin A, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B-6, and Cobalamin.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’re probably adding cold eggs into extremely hot water. If you’re using eggs that were placed in the refrigerator, put them out at least 15 minutes before boiling. This will bring them to room temperature. Moreover, try lowering the heat. Add the eggs in when the water is simmering. The eggs won’t bounce around and there will be a lower chance that they’ll crack.

You can’t put the egg back in the boiling water. It would cause the egg to burst open. Simply enjoy poached eggs instead of hard boiled ones for the moment.

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Hard boiled eggs recipe. Tips for how to boil eggs so they come out perfectly every time.

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

I love hard boiled eggs. They’re great for deviled eggs, egg salad, or just eating plain with a sprinkle of salt.

When it comes to boiling eggs, the biggest problem is that people can easily over-cook them, leading to a dark green color around the yolk and a somewhat sulphuric taste. Here’s my method for how to hard boil eggs so that they don’t get over-cooked.

Did you know? Older eggs are easier to peel than fresh eggs. If you are planning to make hard boiled eggs for Easter and want to make sure that the eggs are easy to peel, buy your eggs at least a week ahead of time (two weeks even better, they’ll keep).

If you’ve boiled a batch of eggs that you are now finding difficult to peel, try cracking the shells all around without peeling them and soaking the eggs in water for a while. The water often seems to seep in enough under the shell to make the egg easier to peel.

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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Video! How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

All About Eggs

The size, temperature, and age of eggs all affect how easy they peel after hard boiling. For the best results, we recommend using large eggs straight from the fridge that are a week or two old.

How to Avoid a Green Ring

The dreaded grey-green ring around a cooked yolk is caused by sulfur in the yolk interacting with hydrogen in the egg white. This is either due to over-boiling the egg or using water with a high level of iron. This recipe cooks the eggs gently, avoiding overcooking and a green ring. If you have especially hard water, consider using filtered water to boil eggs.

Other Ways to Hard Boil Eggs

If you need easy-to-peel eggs and you have fresh eggs, you might want to try steaming the eggs for 15 minutes. Pour an inch of water into a pot and insert a steamer basket. Bring to a boil. Place the eggs in the steamer basket, cover, and steam for 15 minutes (more or less, check!). (Or if you don’t have a steamer basket, steam the eggs in a half-inch of water.) The steam penetrates the shell a bit making the eggs easier to peel. (You can also steam eggs in a pressure cooker!)

Need Ideas for Using Hard Boiled Eggs?

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

If you live at high altitude, let the eggs sit in the hot water longer or lower the heat and maintain a low simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.

Induction ranges come to a boil too quickly and retain too little heat for this method to work well. If you have an induction range, we recommend steaming your eggs, which will give you much more predictable results.

Ingredients

6 to 12 large eggs, straight from the fridge

Method

Fill a saucepan about a quarter of the way with cold water. Place the eggs in a single layer at the bottom of the saucepan. Add more water so that the eggs are covered by at least an inch or two of water.

The more eggs that are crowding the pan the more water you should have over the eggs. 6 eggs should be covered by at least an inch, 7 to 12 eggs, 2 inches.

Simple Tip!

Adding a teaspoon of vinegar to the water may help keep egg whites from running out if an egg does crack while cooking. Also some people find adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the water helps prevent cracking as well as making the eggs easier to peel. If desired, add either or both of these ingredients as the water begins to boil.

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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Leave the pan uncovered. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a rolling boil.

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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Depending on how cooked you like your hard boiled eggs, the eggs should be done perfectly after sitting for 10-12 minutes. That said, depending on your altitude, the shape of the pan, the size of the eggs, and the ratio of water to eggs, it can take a few minutes more.

Or if you like your eggs not fully hard cooked, it can take a few minutes less. When you find a time that works for you, given your preferences, the types of eggs you buy, your pots, stove, and cooking environment, stick with it.

I also find that it is very hard to overcook eggs using this method. I can let the eggs sit, covered, for up to 15-18 minutes without the eggs getting overcooked.

Simple Tip!

If I’m cooking a large batch of eggs, after 10 minutes I’ll sacrifice one to check for doneness, by removing it with a spoon, running it under cold water, and cutting it open. If it’s not done enough for my taste, I’ll cook the other eggs a minute or two longer.

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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

Strain the hot water from the pan, careful not to dump out the eggs, and run cold water over them until they are cool to the touch. This will stop the eggs from cooking further and make them easier to peel.

Or, if you are cooking a large batch of eggs, remove them with a slotted spoon to a large bowl of ice water. Let them sit for a few minutes, or until cooled.

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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

I find it easiest to peel the eggs under a bit of running water.

The best way to store hard boiled eggs is unpeeled in a covered container in the refrigerator. Eggs can release odors in the fridge which is why it helps to keep them covered.

They should be eaten within 5 days. Peeled eggs should be eaten within a day or two.

Did you love this recipe? Give us some stars below!

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Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

The good thing about this method is that even if you forget and the eggs sit in the water a few minutes longer than you had planned, they’ll still be fine.

Some people like their eggs less or more hard cooked than others. If you want your eggs still a little translucent in the center, let them seep in the hot water for only 6 minutes or so.

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How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs

Learn how to make hard boiled eggs perfectly every time! With this easy method, they’ll be easy to peel and have vibrant yellow yolks.

Here’s the good news: perfect hard boiled eggs are easy to make. …And the bad news: so are less-than-perfect ones. I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly cooked my fair share of the latter. When you try to peel away the shell, half the whites come along with it, or when you cut it open, the yolk is slightly green instead of brilliant yellow. Pretty disappointing, if you ask me.

See, cooking perfect hard boiled eggs is easy, but that doesn’t mean that the process you use doesn’t matter. After years of trial and error, I’m happy to say that this method for how to make hard boiled eggs works every time! The yolks are always sunshine yellow, and the shells slide right off. Whether you’re getting ready for Easter, prepping for Passover, or just on the hunt for a protein-packed snack, this easy hard boiled egg recipe is guaranteed to please.

How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs

Follow these simple steps to make perfect hard boiled eggs every time:

First, boil the eggs. Place them in a pot and cover them with cold water by 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.

Then, let them sit in the hot water. As soon as the water begins to boil, turn off the heat and cover the pot. Leave the eggs in the hot water for anywhere from 10-12 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs. The 10-minute eggs will have vibrant, creamy yolks, while the 12-minute yolks will be paler and opaque, with a chalkier texture.

Finally, move them to an ice bath. When the time is up, drain the eggs and transfer them to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Leave them in the ice bath for at least 14 minutes before you peel the eggs.

If you’re not planning to eat the eggs right away, feel free to leave them in the shells and store them in the fridge. But even if this is the case, don’t cut the ice bath short! It’s crucial for stopping the cooking process and making the eggs easy to peel later on.

See below for the complete recipe!

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Tips

Storing and Serving Suggestions

Peeled or unpeeled hard boiled eggs will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy them as a protein-packed snack with salt and pepper or Everything Bagel Seasoning, slice them into salads, add them to grain bowls, or top them onto avocado toast. I also love to make hard boiled eggs to turn into deviled eggs or healthy egg salad!

How do you like to eat hard boiled eggs? Let me know in the comments!

Perfect Soft Boiled and Hard Boiled Eggs (Every Time)

Learn how to make hard boiled eggs (and soft boiled eggs) so they turn out perfectly every time. My hard boiled eggs recipe is super easy and allows you to cook a variety of eggs for the entire family – all in one pot.

When it comes to cooking hard boiled eggs there’s no shortage of tutorials online. And not surprisingly, they’re all pretty similar. Add eggs to a pot of cold water, bring it to a boil, turn off the heat and cook the eggs until hard boiled.

But I find that there’s one big flaw with this method that may be the culprit for folks accidentally overcooking their eggs (and I mention it on the video below). So what’s the flaw? The type of pot you use.

Watch this quick video of my hard boiled eggs recipe:

And subscribe to my YouTube Channel for weekly cooking videos!

Aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron are well known for their different rates of bringing water to a boil and retaining heat. So if your eggs are sitting in a pot of cold water in a cast iron pot and it takes two minutes longer to reach a boil than an aluminum pot (not to mention the water will cool at a much slower rate once removed from the heat), you’ve now inadvertently cooked your eggs a few minutes longer.

That may not be the end of the world for hard boiled eggs, but it does increase the likelihood of a green tinge around your yolk and a more rubbery white. In other words, less than perfect hard boiled eggs.

The other drawback of cooking eggs in cold water first is the difficulty in making soft boiled eggs. Soft boiled eggs are far more of an exact science when it comes to time, which is why most tutorials have you cooking them in hot water.

So that begs the question – why cook them two different ways?

How to Cook Soft Boiled and Hard Boiled Eggs – Together In One Pot

I see no reason to cook soft boiled and hard boiled eggs any different. And the method I’ve used my entire life (thanks mom) is pretty darn foolproof.

Just bring a pot of water to a boil with enough water to cover the eggs by about an inch. By boiling the water first, it also doesn’t matter which type of pot you use as the eggs only hit the water once it’s boiling (212 degrees fahrenheit).

Reduce the heat to low and use a skimmer to gently place the eggs in the water. By reducing the heat to low, you’ll prevent the eggs from bouncing around and cracking. Then, turn the heat back up to a boil.

Immediately set a timer and cook the eggs according to how soft or hard you’d like them. Here’s my general description of how long to boil eggs:

Once the eggs have cooked, immediately place them in a ice water bath to stop them from cooking and maintain your perfect texture.

Eggs cooked between 12-14 minutes are perfect for all hard boiled eggs recipes, such as my egg salad, avocado egg salad, classic potato salad and deviled eggs. For soft boiled eggs, I love a good 6 1/2 minute egg, but my parents prefer 7 minute eggs. It’s all just personal preference, so find the time that works best for you.

How Long Can You Store Hard Boiled Eggs

According to Foodsafety.gov, you can store hard boiled eggs in the fridge for up to a week in their shell. Most say that if you peel the eggs, you should eat them within a few days. But if you’ve watched my meal prep video where I make soft boiled eggs ahead of time, you’ll see I frequently store peeled eggs for up to three days no problem. Do what you feel comfortable with.

It should also be noted that eggs should never be stored in the refrigerator door, due to frequent temperature changes. Always store your eggs in the main part of the fridge.

How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs Easier to Peel

Ahh, the million dollar question. There are many theories on how to make hard boiled eggs easier to peel, such as:

I’ve tried all of these over the years and found that none of these tactics created repeatable, easy to peel eggs except for the last one – the ice water bath. Many times, it’s just the luck of the draw with the eggs you’ve purchased.

And since I know I’ll receive this question in the comments, I’ll address it here. The number one question I receive on placing eggs into boiling water is “won’t that crack the egg open?” So here’s two things I do to ensure that doesn’t happen:

If you do those two things, you should be good. But of course, nothing’s perfect. I may have one egg for every 30 or so I make crack. Not bad odds if you ask me, especially when all the eggs that don’t crack come out perfect every time. And if you really don’t want to worry about cracked eggs, there’s always my poached eggs. *wink* Enjoy!