How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
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In this post you will learn How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs no matter how you like the yolk. This method will show you the best boiled egg cook times for a soft yolk, medium yolk and fully cooked yolk. You will also be able to peel these eggs with ease.
How do you get your hard boiled eggs like that?
This is probably the most common question I get when I share my breakfast plates on Instagram. SO I am finally sharing my method for making perfect hard-boiled eggs.
It is SO easy to make these with a fully set white and either a fully cooked yolk or a slightly runny yolk. My perfect hard boiled egg boils for exactly 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
Check out the charts below to see how long you should cook boiled eggs. This will help you determine how long to cook for different yolks.
How do you get hard boiled eggs to peel easily?
My hard boiled eggs always peel very easily. All you need to do is immediately transfer your eggs to an ice bath after you boil them.
This seems to sort of shock the shell and make it easier to peel. It also halts the cooking process allowing you to decide exactly how your yolks are cooked.
I let my hard boiled eggs sit in the ice bath for about 10 minutes. Then, I remove the eggs.
To peel I tap the bottom and top on the counter to crack. Then, I roll the center along the counter. The peel should easily slide off..
What kitchen tools will I need to make perfect hard-boiled eggs?
You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to make your hard-boiled eggs. I know that egg boiling appliances exist and you can make them in your instant pot, but truthfully I like the old fashioned method best.
- A sauce pan for boiling the eggs
- Large bowl for the ice bath
What ingredients will I need to make the perfect hard-boiled eggs?
This should come as no shock, but you only need three basic things to make the perfect hard boiled eggs.
- Eggs – as many as you want to make! I try to do no more than 8 so that I don’t crowd my pot.
- Water
- Ice for an ice bath
Does it matter what kind of eggs I use?
Yes and no.. you can’t really predict yolk size anyway. Every egg is different! I tend to buy large eggs so this timing is based on pasture raised large eggs. Whatever type of egg you use is perfectly fine. This method will give you a rough estimate for how long to cook!
But, how long should I boil my eggs for?
Use the diagram above as a boiling time guide! I like to do 5 minutes if I am putting my eggs in a bowl of ramen, but otherwise I boil my eggs for 7 minute and 30 seconds.
If I want a fully cooked yolk, like for egg salad, I boil them for 10 minutes.
Let’s make hard boiled eggs!
Step 1: Remove eggs from the fridge
First, remove your eggs from the fridge about 10 minutes prior to boiling them, if possible, to allow them to warm up a bit. This will limit the shells from cracking when you place the cold eggs in the boiling hot water.
Step 2: Boil water
Then, add cold water to a saucepan. Fill it 3/4 of the way full.
You want to choose a saucepan that is large enough to allow the eggs to lay in a single layer once added to the pot. Then, place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil.
Step 3: Boil eggs and soak in ice bath
Once the water comes to a rolling boil, slowly lower the eggs down into the pot to cook. Leave the heat on high and do not cover the pot. If your eggs bounce around a lot, you can reduce the heat to medium-high.
Once the eggs are in the pot, immediately set a timer based on how you want your eggs cooked – refer to the image above for boiling times.
I like to boil mine for 7 minutes and 30 seconds most days.
Then, while the eggs boil prepare a large ice bath. Once the timer goes off, immediately transfer the eggs to the ice bath and allow them to cool in the ice bath for 10 minutes.
Finally, remove the eggs from the ice bath, peel and enjoy!
Step 4: Enjoy!
How long do boiled eggs last?
I personally feel comfortable eating my hard boiled eggs up to 7 days after preparing provided they remain in the fridge during that time.
Want more egg recipes? Check out these delicious egg bite recipes!
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Learn to make the perfect hard boiled eggs whether you like a soft, medium or hard yolk!
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
Instructions
- Remove your eggs from the fridge about 10 minutes prior to boiling them if possible to allow them to warm up a bit – this will limit the shells from cracking when you place the cold eggs in the boiling hot water
- Add cold water to a saucepan – fill it 3/4 of the way full. You want to choose a saucepan that is large enough to allow the eggs to lay in a single layer once added to the pot
- Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil
- Once the water comes to a rolling boil, slowly lower the eggs down in to the pot to cook
- Leave the heat on high and do not cover the pot. If your eggs bounce around a lot, you can reduce the heat to medium-high
- Immediately set a timer based on how you want your eggs cooked – refer to the image above for boiling times. I like to boil mine for 7 minutes and 30 seconds most days
- While the eggs boil prepare a large ice bath
- Once the timer goes off, immediately transfer the eggs to the ice bath and allow them to cool in the ice bath for 10 minutes
- Remove the eggs from the ice bath, peel and enjoy!
Kayla Gibbons says
Honestly this is THE BEST way to hard boil eggs. I have tried so many times to perfect my hard boiled egg and up until now have been disappointed. So glad I tried this! Never going back !!
★★★★★
Madeline says
aw wonderful!! Thank you so much that makes me so happy!
Crystal says
Hard boiled eggs should be so easy but sometimes they are really confusing. I love Mad’s old fashioned jammy egg recipe in a simple pot.
Madeline says
Amazing! gotta keep it simple!!
Jaynie says
I have long tried for the PERFECT gooey, yelllow hard boiled egg. I love them for days with millions of meetings or just on top of a salad for some healthy fats. THIS RECIPE is the only one I follow for perfect eggs.
★★★★★
Madeline says
Thanks, Jaynie!!
Sarah B says
This always works perfect for me! Love a 7 minute hard boiled egg with a sprinkle of everything seasoning!
★★★★★
Madeline says
yess such a good combo!
Jessica says
So easy to peel. I hate when I boil eggs and peel half the egg when trying to peel. Great for a quick snack or to add to salad or egg salad. Thank you.
★★★★★
Madeline says
awesome!! thank you so much!
Sarah buchholz says
I have used this method to cook a 7 minute egg and then sprinkle with everything seasoning! So good!
★★★★★
Madeline says
YUM! Thank you!
Mayra says
I always struggled with how to get that perfect boiled egg. I was so glad to have found this! Works like a charm, every time!
★★★★★
Madeline says
thank you so much!!
Sarah says
this is legitimately the best way to cook them! been using this method and have had consistently the best eggs!
Madeline says
ahh thank you!!
Amy says
Best hard boiled eggs ever!
★★★★★
Madeline says
thank you!!
Phoebe says
Okay. I know what you’re thinking “who leaves a review on a ‘recipe’ about boiling eggs?” But trust me THE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW. This method is FLAWLESS and helped me up my breakfast game.
I can now confidently boil my eggs, set a timer and walk away knowing exactly what kind of egg I’m getting back. Plus, I save myself time in the “shelling” process with the tips in this post.
Win-win.
★★★★★
Madeline says
HAHAH THANK YOU! love this and appreciate you taking the time to leave an enthusiastic egg boiling review
Maggie says
Could never get the perfect hard boiled egg until now!
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing!! thank you!!
Michele says
Need a good laugh?? I was boiling my eggs for 15-17 mins!!!! Who knew there was an art to it. Thanks Mad, for a perfectly written recipe and the pic as a guide is awesome! 7minutes for me today!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
haha!! So glad I could help you out!!
Carolyn says
This is the only way I make HB eggs now! They came out perfect after 7 minutes and the ice bath really helps with making them easy to peel. Thanks Madeline!
★★★★★
Carolyn says
The only and best way to make HB eggs! I kept my eggs in for 7 minutes and they were just how I like them. The ice bath makes them so easy to peel. Thanks Madeline!
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay! thank you!!
Bailey says
Posting this method totally made me re-evaluate how I made hard boiled eggs. And I’m so glad I did. I’ve been skipping the ice bath method and it was a total game changer to peeling the egg.
★★★★★
Madeline says
it helps so much, right?! thanks for the review!
Samantha says
I’ve always struggled getting the right yolk consistency with hard boiled eggs so much and these turned out PERFECT! Thank you!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
thanks Samantha!
Lauren says
I’ve tried about 30,000 (approx 😉 hard boiled egg recipes; this one is THE best & easiest! THANK YOU so much for the recipe! Now I just have to find THE best oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe. Hey…would you happen to have an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe? ;-D
★★★★★
Madeline says
hahahha awww thank you!! I have a PB oatmeal choc chip cookie recipe https://madaboutfood.co/peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies/
Liz says
Made these today (7min was perfect for me), and the eggs peeled with ease! Surprised because they were fresh eggs as well. Will 100% always use this method from now on! Thank you for zero ruined eggs
★★★★★
Madeline says
glad it worked even with the fresh eggs! thanks Liz!
Feyre says
I brought it to a rolling boil, put the eggs in, timed for 8 min, put in ice bath. And they look like 5 min eggs, not 8 min:( I’m sure the recipe is fine but idk what I did wrong.
★★★
Madeline says
Hmm sorry this happened! A few things off the top of my head – how many eggs did you do? More eggs might need more time. Is your post super thin? Pots that don’t retain good heat could need longer time. Do you live at altitude? THis can dramatically effect cook times. and lastly im not sure!! sorry!
Sarah Coin says
Thanks for the recipe! Needed the basics 🙂
Madeline says
Yay! Glad to help!
Annie says
Do you have to peel after they cook for 10 minutes or can I put them back in the carton with their shells on. Will they still peel if they sit a couple days before peeling?
Madeline says
It is ideal to peel them as soon as they are cool but they will still peel later if you put them back in fridge. 🙂
Elizabeth Labrecque says
Wow. Thank you for the time chart. I always overcook my eggs and following your recipe, they came out perfect. Thank you.
★★★★★
Cheryl says
The time picture is covered up with the recipe header.⁸
Madeline says
Hi Cheryl – everything is loading correctly on my end. Maybe try a different browser and see if the problem persists?