This Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs recipe is a simple and foolproof method for cooking eggs with firm whites and perfectly cooked, creamy yellow yolks. It’s a fundamental kitchen skill, ready in about 20 minutes.
Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs Ingredients
- 12 large eggs, room temperature (or as many as you’d like)
- Cool water
How To Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Arrange Eggs in Pan: Place the eggs in a single layer in a large saucepan. Cover them with cool water by at least 1 inch.
- Bring to a Boil: Slowly bring the water to a boil over medium heat.
- Let Sit Off the Heat: As soon as the water reaches a rolling boil, cover the pan and immediately remove it from the heat. Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 12 minutes.
- Cool Immediately: After 12 minutes, transfer the eggs to a colander and place them under cool running water to stop the cooking process. This is a crucial step to prevent a green ring from forming around the yolk.
- Peel and Serve: Once the eggs are cool enough to handle, gently tap and roll them on a countertop to crack the shell all over. Peel under cool running water, starting from the larger end. Halve or slice the eggs and serve.
Recipe Tips
- How to peel hard-boiled eggs easily? The secret is to start with eggs that aren’t farm-fresh (eggs that are a week or two old peel more easily) and to peel them under cool running water. Starting at the large end where the air sac is helps you get under the membrane.
- How do you know when hard-boiled eggs are done? The most reliable method is timing. Following the 12-minute sit time in hot water will give you perfectly cooked yolks without overcooking them.
- Can I use an Instant Pot? Yes, an Instant Pot is a great tool for making hard-boiled eggs that are tender and easy to peel.
- What’s the best way to avoid a green yolk? The gray-green ring around the yolk is a result of overcooking. The method of bringing the water to a boil and then removing it from the heat, followed by an immediate cold water bath, is the best way to prevent this.
How to Serve Hard-Boiled Eggs
While delicious on their own with a pinch of salt and pepper, here are some other simple ways to enjoy them:
- Sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning
- Drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and fresh herbs like dill or parsley
- Topped with a little salsa or crumbled bacon
- Dipped in soy sauce
How To Store Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Refrigerate: Store hard-boiled eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to one week. It’s best to peel them before storing, as they are easiest to peel right after cooking.
- Do Not Freeze: Hard-boiled eggs should not be frozen, as the texture of the egg white becomes tough and watery.
Hard-Boiled Eggs Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 70-80 kcal per large egg
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: <1g
- Protein: 6g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
According to the CDC, a hard-boiled egg should not sit out at room temperature for longer than two hours to be considered safe to eat.
The recipe was tested with room temperature eggs, but it will also work with eggs straight from the fridge. The key is to start them in cool water to prevent the shells from cracking due to a sudden temperature change.
You can boil as many as you like, as long as they fit comfortably in a single layer in your saucepan and are fully submerged in water.
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Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe
Description
A foolproof method for making perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs with tender whites and creamy, bright yellow yolks every time.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place eggs in a single layer in a large saucepan and cover with 1 inch of cool water.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium heat.
- As soon as it boils, cover the pan and remove it from the heat.
- Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 12 minutes.
- Transfer the eggs to a colander and run them under cool water to stop the cooking.
- Peel the eggs once they are cool enough to handle.
- Serve as desired.
Notes
- Starting the eggs in cool water helps prevent the shells from cracking.
- The 12-minute resting time is crucial for a perfectly cooked yolk that is not overdone.
- Peeling the eggs under cool running water makes the process much easier.
- Hard-boiled eggs are a fantastic food for meal prep to have on hand for quick snacks and lunches.