How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

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!

• Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites
• Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Egg Bites
• Dairy Free Egg Bite Recipe

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!

Recipe

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

★★★★★ 4.9 from 18 reviews

Learn to make the perfect hard boiled eggs whether you like a soft, medium or hard yolk!

Recipe By: Madeline

Prep: 5 minutesCook: 20 minutesTotal: 25 minutes

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Servings: 4 servings 1x

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Ingredients

• 8 large eggs

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Instructions

1. 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
2. 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
3. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil
4. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, slowly lower the eggs down in to the pot to cook
5. 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
6. 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
7. While the eggs boil prepare a large ice bath
8. 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
9. Remove the eggs from the ice bath, peel and enjoy!

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.