No more guessing how long to boil eggs for the perfect hard boiled eggs every time! Here’s the easiest method.
Hard boiled eggs can be difficult to make if you don’t know the magic formula! Once you try this method, you’ll be able to make bright yellow, creamy hard boiled eggs so easily. Of course, learning How to Make Amazing Egg Salad with your hard boiled eggs is a must, too.
How Long to Hard Boil Eggs
The magic number is…12! Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil and boil your eggs for exactly 12 minutes, keeping the water at a gentle boil the whole time. See below instructions (in the recipe card) for full details!
Equipment Needed
You’ll only need a few pieces of equipment to make hard boiled eggs – all of which you likely already have:
- A big pot
- A slotted spoon
- A big bowl filled with ice water
How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs
Full instructions in the recipe card; this is just an outline!
- Boil eggs.
Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Use a big spoon to quickly lower eggs into the water. Immediately set timer for 12 minutes. Keep water at a gentle boil.
- Ice bath.
Prepare a bowl of ice water. Once the timer goes off, quickly drop the eggs into the ice bath to stop the cooking process.
- Crack.
Let eggs chill for at least 10 minutes. Crack shells.
How to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
After boiled eggs have chilled down, tap the eggs on the counter and use your finger nail to lift the shells from the whites. If the eggs are closer to their expiration date, the shells will be easier to crack, lift and peel.
Rinse peeled eggs under cold water to remove any leftover shell.
Tips for the Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
- If the eggs are closer to their expiration date, the shells will be easier to crack, lift and peel.
- Keep water at a gentle boil to ensure eggs cook through properly. If water is boiling too hard, the eggs will break. If water isn’t boiling, the eggs won’t cook.
- Plunge eggs in an ice water bath to stop them from cooking and prevent green yolks.
- Unpeeled hard boiled eggs will last longer than peeled eggs.
How to Use Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs are a great breakfast, snack, lunch or even part of a dinner spread! Here are some hard-boiled egg serving suggestions:
- Breakfast: on avocado toast, served alongside toast or Popovers
- Snack: alone with just salt and pepper!
- Lunch: made into Truffle Deviled Eggs or Smoked Salmon Everything Bagel Deviled Eggs or this AMAZING Egg salad
- Dinner: as part of a charcuterie spread or a protein on a salad like this Green Goddess Salad
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Peeled hard boiled eggs keep well for 3 days in the refrigerator. Unpeeled hard boiled eggs keep well for up to 5 days!
I do not recommend freezing hard boiled eggs; they typically become tough and unappetizing when frozen and thawed.
Yes, hard boiled eggs need to be refrigerated if not enjoyed within an hour after boiling.
The best way to prevent the unappetizing green yolk is to plunge boiled eggs in ice water immediately after boiling them.
After boiled eggs have chilled down, tap the eggs on the counter and use your finger nail to lift the shells from the whites. Rinse peeled eggs under cold water to remove any leftover shell.
More Egg Recipes You’ll Love!
- How to Make Scrambled Eggs (Fluffy Every Time!)
- Truffle Deviled Eggs
- Smoked Salmon Everything Bagel Deviled Eggs
- Fluffy French Omelette
Ingredients
- 6-12 large eggs
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Use a slotted spoon to quickly lower eggs into the water (so they don’t crack on the bottom of the pot). Immediately set timer for 12 minutes. Keep water at a gentle (not roaring) boil.
- While eggs are boiling, prepare a bowl of ice water. Once the timer goes off, use a slotted spoon to quickly drop the eggs into the ice bath to stop the cooking process (preventing the yolks from turning green).
- Let eggs chill for at least 10 minutes. Crack shells, rinsing eggs under cold water to ensure there’s no stray shells left behind.
Video
Notes
- Peeled eggs will save in fridge for 3 days. To save eggs for up to 5 days, keep eggs in shell. Peel eggs right before you want to eat them for optimal freshness!
- Eggs that are closer to their expiration date will be easier to peel!
- Keep water at a gentle boil to ensure eggs cook through properly. If water is boiling too hard, the eggs will break. If water isn’t boiling, the eggs won’t cook.
- Plunge eggs in an ice water bath to stop them from cooking and prevent green yolks.
