Making perfect hard boiled eggs is easier than you think! Whether you want soft, medium, or fully hard-boiled eggs, this simple guide covers exactly how long to boil them and how to get easy-to-peel results every time.
Place the eggs in a single layer in a large saucepan and cover them with cool water, about 1 inch above the eggs.
Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and set a timer for 7 to 8 minutes for perfectly hard-boiled eggs. IMPORTANT: Make sure you start your timer when the water starts boiling, not when you place the eggs in the water.
When the timer is up, use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Let them cool for a few minutes. Alternatively, run them under cold water until cool. This helps them peel more easily.
Once cooled, remove the eggs and gently tap each on a hard surface. Roll to crack the shell, then peel.
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Tips for easy to peel hard boiled eggs
Roll them on the counter. After you boil the eggs and cool them in ice-cold water, roll them on the counter to remove the shell. It will fall off easily.
Place cracked eggs under water. If you notice that some eggs are hard to peel, crack them all around without peeling them and place them under a little bit of running water or soak them in a bowl with water for a while. The water penetrates under the shell and makes it easier to peel.
How to prevent your eggs from cracking
Don't place the cold eggs from the fridge in the hot water on the stove.
Place the eggs in cold water and then turn on the cooktop.
If an egg has a crack, you can add a little bit of vinegar to the pot. It will help to congeal the egg white if it starts to leak out from the shell.