There are several ways to make hard boiled eggs, but I have two preferred methods, and steaming them is my favorite. The eggs turn out flawless every time, with shells that practically fall off and bright yellow yolks. I often wonder why everyone does not cook them this way!
Learn Two Methods for Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Learn how to make perfectly hard-boiled eggs on the stove with these simple methods. Impress your friends and family with these flawless eggs, every time.
Steam the eggs
I love eggs. They are a great source of protein. My preferred way to cook them is to steam them. They turn out perfect every single time. I have never had trouble peeling steamed eggs. I always use this method for my deviled eggs and egg salad sandwiches. Just fill a large saucepan with enough water to reach just below the bottom of a steamer basket. Bring it to a boil and carefully place eggs in the steamer basket using a long-handled slotted spoon or tongs.
Cover the pot and steam for 12-15 minutes. A single layer of medium eggs will require less time, while a double layer of extra-large eggs will require the most time. Remove eggs to a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process, or let the cold water run directly into the pan for several minutes to cool them down. Store in the refrigerator.
This method works great for soft-boiled eggs, too. Steam for 6-7 minutes before plunging them into ice-cold water. For best results, set a timer.
Hard Boil the Eggs
Want perfect hard-boiled eggs every time? Follow our easy step-by-step guide to achieve perfectly cooked and easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs. I have hard-boiled lots and lots of eggs over the years. There are a few key points in successfully cooking hard-boiled eggs.
How to Hard Boil Eggs
Add the eggs to a large pot without overcrowding. Fill the pot with cold water to an inch of water over the eggs. Add a couple of teaspoons of salt. Bring the eggs to a rolling boil. Put the lid on the pan, remove it from the heat, and let them sit in the hot water for 12-15 minutes. I use 12 minutes for medium eggs and 15 minutes for jumbo eggs.
Remove the pan from the stove and place it under very cold running water. Let the water run for several minutes. The eggs should feel very cold before you shut the water off. Let them sit in the cold water or an ice bath for an additional 15-20 minutes. Store in the refrigerator.
Choose the Right Eggs
You want eggs that are close to expiration. They are not expired, but they are not fresh eggs either. Your best bet is to go to the store and look for the carton that is going to expire first. I specifically go to the Mom and Pop grocery stores, hoping that the turnover is not as high as the chain warehouses and grocery stores and I am usually successful. This is by far the most important point when it comes to peeling them easily.
Tips For Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
- Steam them – they may not technically be hard-boiled eggs, but the end result is still the same and easier to peel. They practically peel themselves.
- Purchase older eggs – try to think ahead and purchase eggs that you know you will hard boil well in advance. Farm-fresh eggs are great for a ham and cheese quiche or a Denver omelet, but not so much for this purpose.
- Don’t crowd them – whether you are steaming them or boiling them, give them a little space, and don’t crowd the pan.
- Be gentle -handle the eggs gently when adding them to the pot or steam basket. If boiling, bring the water to a rolling boil over medium heat, not high heat. You don’t want them moving in the pot and cracking.
- Cold water – after steaming or boiling, plunge those eggs into ice-cold water. Peel eggs under cold running water, letting the water get between the egg white and the shell membrane.
How to Store Hard Boiled Eggs
Store fully cooled and dried hard-boiled eggs with their shells intact in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Store fully cooled and peeled eggs submerged in ice-cold water in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipes Using Hard Boiled Eggs
- Southern potato salad
- Deviled egg pasta salad
- Pickled eggs
- Egg salad
- Deviled eggs
- Avocado deviled eggs
- Nicoise salad
- Chicken ramen
- Scotch eggs
Try These Next
How to make perfect hard boiled eggs
Ingredients
- Eggs
- Salt
- Water
Instructions
To Steam
- Fill a large saucepan with enough water to reach just below the bottom of a steamer basket. Bring it to a boil and carefully add the eggs to the steamer basket using a long-handled spoon or tongs.
- Cover the pot and steam for 12-15 minutes. A single layer of medium eggs will require less time, while a double layer of large eggs will require the most time.
- Remove eggs to icy cold water to stop the cooking process, or let the cold water run directly into the pan for several minutes to cool them down.
To Boil
- Add the eggs to a large pot without overcrowding. Fill the pot with cold water to an inch over the eggs, Add a couple of teaspoons of salt.
- Bring the eggs to a gentle boil. Put the lid on the pan and remove it from the heat. Allow it to sit for 12-15 minutes. I use 12 minutes for medium eggs and 15 minutes for jumbo eggs.
- Remove the pan from the stove and place it under very cold running water. Let the water run for several minutes. The eggs should feel very cold before you shut the water off. Let them sit in the cold water for an additional 15-20 minutes. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Steam them – they may not technically be hard-boiled eggs, but the end result is still the same and easier to peel. They practically peel themselves.
- Purchase older eggs – try to think ahead and purchase eggs that you know you will hard boil well in advance. Farm-fresh eggs are great for a ham and cheese quiche or a Denver omelet but not so much for this purpose.
- Don’t crowd them – whether you are steaming them or boiling them, give them a little space, and don’t crowd the pan.
- Be gentle -handle the eggs gently when adding them to the pot or steam basket. If boiling, bring the water to a rolling boil over medium heat, not high heat. You don’t want them moving in the pot and cracking.
- Cold water – after steaming or boiling, plunge those eggs into ice cold water. Peel eggs under cold running water letting the water get between the egg white and the shell membrane.
- Storage – Store fully cooled and dried hard-boiled eggs with their shells intact in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
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Katherine Johns
I never thought to steam eggs before and it worked perfectly!
Beth Pierce
Yes, it really does!
Laura Side Street
Eggs are king!! It’s the one thing my kids really love, so knowing how to make perfectly boiled eggs is key, especially as they love Egg mayo sandwiches! Such a great source of protein
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more!
Jupiter Hadley
I struggle so hard with creating hard boiled eggs that are easy to peel! These are some good tips and I am going to work on using them when I next make egg salad!
Marysa
It is good to have a recipe to make eggs just right. I like your directions – it is nice to have a concise walkthrough of the process.
Sandra
Thank you so much for this! No more failed hard boiled eggs!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome!
Catalina
Awesome advice! I need to make a lot of hard boiled eggs these days!
Ruth
Farm fresh eggs work fine if you let them come to room temperature before boiling/steaming. Had been frustrated many times till I discovered this method.
Claudia
A bad hard-boiled egg can ruin my breakfast especially when I’m on a rush, so this is exactly what I need.
Alita Pacio
Making the perfect hard-boiled eggs that are easy to peel and have a creamy yellow yolk every time is quite hard for me but thanks for the tips.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Alita!
Tammy
I only make them hard boiled when I make deviled eggs or egg salad. It’s tricky getting the timing right though. Great little read!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tammy!
Yeah Lifestyle
Thanks for sharing your methods, it can be hard to get boiled eggs just right. These recipes are easy to follow and work really well depending on whether you want soft or hard boiled eggs.
Luna S
Great information! Sometimes I cook mine too long, so it is nice to have some extra tips.
Lisa
I needed to see this today as I just made a batch of hard boiled eggs and they didn’t turn out so well. I think I overcrowded the pan. Referencing this article next time. Thank you!!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Lisa!
Monidipa
Wow, this article on making perfect hard-boiled eggs is a game-changer! The step-by-step instructions are so easy to follow, and the tips for peeling the eggs are genius.
Lavanda Michelle
Thank you so much for sharing your preferred methods of cooking hard boiled eggs! Your tips on steaming the eggs and choosing the right eggs to hard boil are very helpful. I love how steaming the eggs produces flawless results every time, and I can’t wait to try out your method. Your clear instructions and step-by-step process make it easy to follow.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Lavanda!
Sam Testing Time
I’ve always struggled to make the perfect boiled egg, maybe a combination of reasons as to why I never mastered it. You’ve provided some amazing tips here and going to give them a go, thanks!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!