How to make perfect hard boiled eggs is an easy how-to recipe. This will teach you how to make easy-to-peel hard boiled eggs. No more gray yolks!
Originally published 11/25/12. Last updated 4/4/19.
I love deviled eggs!
I never made them, though, because every time I boiled my eggs they were a giant pain to peel.
Most of the egg white would come off with the shell, and it felt like a big waste.
Somehow, my mom and I ended up on the subject of boiled eggs the other day.
I started to complain about what a pain they are to peel, and she asked me how I was cooking them.
I told her that I was letting the water come to a boil, dropping the eggs in (cracking several as I went), and then boiling them for about 20 minutes or so.
Turns out, I have been making hard boiled eggs the wrong way!
That's why I was ending up with half of the egg white stuck to the shell and an ugly gray ring around the yolk.
How to make perfect boiled eggs
First, place your eggs in a pot and cover with an inch of cold water.
Next, bring the water to a rolling boil.
You'll want to make sure that it's a rolling boil and not just coming to a boil. Otherwise, the eggs won't be cooked through.
So, what's a rolling boil?
A rolling boil means that the water is boiling rapidly. There should be lots of bubbles rising to the surface of the pot.
Once the water is at a rolling boil, remove from the heat and cover it.
Let it sit, covered, for 15 minutes.
After the 15 minutes are up, carefully drain the hot water.
Then, rinse the eggs in cold water.
Tips for easy-to-peel eggs
- Some people have suggested adding vinegar or a little baking soda (½ teaspoon) to the water to make the eggs easier to peel.
- I've also heard that chilling the eggs first makes them easier to peel.
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How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 1 dozen large eggs
Instructions
- Place your eggs in a pot.
- Fill pot with enough cold water to cover the eggs and come 1-inch above the eggs.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Once the water reaches a rolling boil, remove pot from heat and cover.
- Let the pot sit (covered) for 15 minutes.
- Drain the hot water.
- Rinse eggs in cold water.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Linda Leone
I have been using this method for years. It works for me. I will try the baking soda tip and let you know!
Kate
I'm so glad! =) I would love to hear how the baking soda works out for you.
Charles Hopper
Hi Kate, I’m making homemade potato salad this afternoon,and the eggs turned out great!Thank You for all of the recipes!Charles
Jen R.
Thank you, Kate! Great tip that I'm looking forward to trying! I always enjoy your recipes and posts. Thank you!
Kate
Thank you so much! That's wonderful to hear! I appreciate your kind comment! =)
Lesley
Your mum is right :) Funny how it's the simplest recipes that don't get passed on. This is the best way to boil eggs. I've always found that eggs peel easily if they are cold. So refrigerate overnight for a really easy peel.
Kate
It is! It's funny how cooking seems to have changed, too. When I would ask my grandma what went into a recipe, she would say things like "a little of this" or "just add some until you have enough".
Thank you for the tip! I appreciate you taking the time to comment! =)
Martha Kreider
I used the baking soda method today. Starting eggs covered in cool water and brought to a rolling boil. Turned off the heat, covered for 10-12 Minutes. Drained and immediately put in cold water. The eggs peeled so easily and the yolks were a beautiful light yellow with no ring. I did only 4 eggs and used 1/2 teaspoon of Baking Soda in the water. I don't believe you would need to adjust the baking soda if cooking more eggs.
Kate
Thank you so much! It's so helpful to hear the things that have worked for other people! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Tamaro Meikay Harlis
My mom thought me to put salt in the pot and it should peel
Kate
I'll have to try that! Thanks for the tip! =)
Kelsey
So easy! Thank you!
Kate
Good! I'm glad it was easy. Thank you for commenting!
Sherrry
I have never made boiled eggs that were not a bit grey around the yoke. I tried this process and wow perfect boiled eggs, thank you!
Kate
I'm so glad it worked out for you! Thank you for coming back to comment. =)
Gail Connolley
Thanks I love this way but I do add a little Vinegar to help the process of peeling the eggs. They came out amazing !!
Kate
Thank you! I'll have to try adding a little vinegar. Someone else suggested adding a little baking soda, and that seems to help, too. Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment!
Tracy White
How much vinegar?
Kate
I haven't tried the vinegar, but I added about 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.
Pam
My eggs were perfect. No gray green, yay!
Kate
Yay! I'm so glad to hear that it worked out for you! Thank you for taking the time to come and comment.
Jenn
I've always cooked my eggs this way but put them in an ice bath instead of just cold water afterwards. In addition you can add just a pinch of baking soda to the cooking water and the shells will come off nice & easy.
Kate
Great tips! Thank you! I'll have to try both of those out. =)
danielle
My eggs are always underdone...I'll try this! :) thanks! Found you via link party and I've enjoyed your blog...newest follower here!
Danielle@snipetsofinspiration.com
kateheartseating
I had the opposite problem. I used to overcook my eggs until I ended up with gray yolks, but this trick really works! I hope it helps!! Glad to have you following! =)