How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs!
7 Comments
Posted: 03/23/21
Updated: 04/02/21
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Learn how to make the perfect hard boiled eggs on the stove top every single time. Perfect vibrant yellow yolks that are so easy to peel! These come out perfect every single time.
It might seem like a simple thing, but there are definitely a few tricks for making the best hard-boiled eggs! They should have perfectly cook whites and beautifully creamy yolks and I’m showing you exactly how to do it.
Contents
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The Best Boiled Eggs
- You don’t need any fancy equipment – just a pot, a bowl, and some eggs to boil!
- This is my easy stovetop method, but I also have a post about cooking eggs in an Instant Pot. You can also make air fryer-boiled eggs! Check that one out if you want to use your IP!
- I’m sharing all my best tips, including how long to boil them depending on how you like the yolk.
- Enjoy them as a snack or use them in recipes – I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to use them!
If you’ve ever wondered what the best method is, this is the post for you. You will be boiling like a pro!
When you cook them on the stove top, you can boil as many as want as long as you can fit them all in the pot and cover them with water. So, cook a few or a dozen – it’s up to you!
Products Needed
- Pot with a lid
- Large bowl
- Tongs
- Eggs
- Ice
How to Hard Boil Eggs
Place the eggs in the pot and cover them water. They should be covered by one inch so they are completely submerged.
Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from the heat and cover it with a lid. Leave them to cook for 4 to 10 minutes, depending on how you like your yolk (more about that in the pro tips section!).
While they cook, prepare an ice batch. Place ice cubes and water in a large bowl. Submerging the hot eggs will slow the cooking process, so they don’t overcook.
Remove the eggs from the water using tongs. Carefully place them in the ice bath to cool. Leave them for at least 10 minutes.
Once they are cooled, peel them and run them under cold water to remove all of the shells. Pat dry and enjoy!
Pro Tips
I give a range for the cooking time because everyone likes their yolks cooked to a certain doneness!
Four minutes will give you a very soft, runny yolk – every minute you add will yield a yolk that is a little firmer. A classic soft-boiled egg takes 6 1/2 minutes. For a firm hard-boiled yolk, cook them for the whole ten minutes.
Below I have an image that shows the difference between the eggs at different cooking times!
Use Them in These Recipes!
- You can’t go wrong with a batch of Deviled Eggs – you’ll love my traditional recipe.
- Use your Instant Pot to make the Best Potato Salad!
- Make Some Avocado Egg Tuna Sandwiches for a quick and easy lunch.
- Use them to make Ham Salad – this is a great way to use up all those leftover decorated eggs and ham at Easter!
- Grab the kids and Dye Easter Eggs without the kit!
FAQ
Can you freeze hard-boiled them?
Technically, you can, but they don’t hold up well after you thaw them. The problem is with the whites – the texture changes when frozen, and they end up rubbery and not so great. You can freeze just the egg yolks, though! They will keep for a few months in a freezer container.
How long are they good for?
Keep them in the shell and they will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. If you remove the shells, they will dry out and are best enjoyed within a few days.
Can you overcook hard-boiled eggs?
Yes, you can definitely overcook them! When they are overcooked, the yolks will have a green ring, and they will be chalky. They are still edible, but they are so much better when you don’t overcook them. For a perfectly hard-boiled egg, you don’t need to cook it beyond ten minutes.
Do hard-boiled eggs float?
No, they shouldn’t float. Uncooked eggs shouldn’t float either – if they do, it means they have gone bad, and you should discard them.
Are you ready to make some hard-boiled eggs? I love to make a big batch to have on hand for easy snacks – my family loves them! You will too once you try all my tips – they will be perfect every time!
Other Ways to Cook Eggs
- If you love fried eggs, you have to try my Fried Egg Sandwich. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
- For your next weekend breakfast, you need to make Classic Scrambled Eggs or Oven Scrambled Eggs. They’re both amazing!
- Egg in a Hole is one of my favorite easy breakfast recipes – it’s always a hit with the family!
Love this recipe? Be sure and comment below and leave a 5-star rating! I know you’ll love these as much as we do!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs
Learn how to make the perfect hard boiled eggs every time with a vibrant yellow yolk and easy to peel eggs.
Ingredients
- 12 eggs
Instructions
- Gently place your eggs in a pot and cover them with cold water by 1 inch making sure they are not crowded.
- Bring water to a rapid boil over medium-high heat, then cover and remove the pan from the heat and set aside for 4 to 10 minutes. Do not lift the lid!
- Fill a large bowl or your sink with cold water and ice to create an ice bath.
- When the eggs reach your desired cooking time, gently remove the eggs from the pan using a tongs and place in the ice water to cool. Let them rest in cold water for at least 10 minutes.
- Remove from water and peel. To peel gently tap the eggs against a hard surface and peel off the shell. Rinse egg under cold water to make sure all egg shells are removed. Gently pat dry.
Tips
I give a range for the cooking time because everyone likes their yolks cooked to a certain doneness!
Four minutes will give you a very soft, runny yolk – every minute you add will yield a yolk that is a little firmer. A classic soft-boiled egg takes 6 1/2 minutes. For a firm hard-boiled yolk, cook them for the whole ten minutes.
Video
Nutrition Information
Calories: 63kcal (3%), Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 6g (12%), Fat: 4g (6%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 164mg (55%), Sodium: 62mg (3%), Potassium: 61mg (2%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 238IU (5%), Calcium: 25mg (3%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Robert Richardt says
When I make hard boiled eggs they do not slide out of the shells and I end up with an egg filled with divets. Also what causes and how do I prevent the black ring around the yolk? I submerge them in tsp water and put them on medium heat covered….when the cover starts to rattle I leave them boil for 4 minutes. I then take them off the heat with the cover still on and let them sit for approx 10 minutes. I them transfer them to a bowl filled with ice water and ice. They stay in that approx 20 minutes. I don’t always peel them right away unless they are to be eaten, otherwise they stay in their shells in the frig!!
Peggy Sue says
You are definitely cooking them too long. Increase heat to high so they come to a boil quicker and keep uncovered. Skip the 4 minute boil you mentioned also. Just follow the directions in the recipe and they will turn out. Good luck!
Sam says
Such a great post with so much helpful information! Thanks for sharing.
Michelle Sperr says
You’re welcome! Glad that it was helpful!
Sarah says
I agree thank you for going to so much trouble for us Julie.
Beth says
I love hard-boiled eggs this way! I liked your pictures with the different amounts of time and realized I am a 12-minute yolk girl! Delish!
Michelle Sperr says
Yay Beth! I’m so glad that you tried this and found which “minute-yolk” girl you are!