Foolproof method to make perfect hard boiled eggs 

We make a batch of hard boiled eggs on a weekly basis in our house.  It’s just one of those things that I thought everyone knew how to do!  Making the perfect hard-boiled egg isn’t as simple as tossing eggs into hot water.  (So many blogs suggest leaving eggs in hot water hard boil eggs.  However, that method has a lot of room for error.)  

My method places eggs in a pot of water and boils them for a specific amount of time until desired doneness.  This is hands down the best way to do it. Though my mom does love making them in an instant pot… I just can’t commit to another appliance right now!  

Ingredients

• Large eggs (as many as you need)

Note that these directions are intended for large eggs. You may need to adjust boiling times accordingly if using smaller or larger eggs.

Equipment

• Saucepan or pot
• Bowl for ice-water bath
• Slotted spoon or skimmer
• Timer

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Eggs for Boiling

Before boiling, ensure your eggs are at least 10 days old for easier peeling.  I found that older eggs work best.  And don’t worry, this usually isn’t a problem unless you are getting fresh eggs from chickens each week!  Add cold eggs to pot in a single layer (you don’t want eggs sitting on top of eggs because they may break).  Any cracked egg (raw) should be discarded and not cooked or consumed.  

Step 2: Boil the Water

Fill a pot with enough water to cover the eggs by about an inch. Bring the water to a full rolling boil over high heat.

Step 3: Lower the Heat 

Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium.  This should look just above a simmer. This prevents the eggs from moving too much and cracking.

Step 4: Adjust Heat and Start Timer

Immediately set your timer for your desired level of doneness.  

Check out this list for cook time:  

• 6 minutes: Soft-boiled eggs. Runny yolk, soft white.
• 6 1/2 minutes: Soft, jammy yolk.
• 8 minutes: Perfect eggs in my opinion!  Medium yolk, slightly soft. 
• 10 minutes: Mostly hard with a hint of softness.
• 12 minutes: Fully hard-boil eggs with a lighter yolk.
• 14 minutes: Hard-cooked eggs.  Very firm hard-boiled egg.

It’s not advised for anyone to eat raw eggs.  Some whole shell eggs may contain bacteria that can lead to food born illness.¹ 

Step 6: Ice Water Bath for rapid cooling

While the eggs are boiling, prepare an ice-water bath. This is basically a large bowl filled with ice and cool water from the tap.  Exactly when your timer goes off, remove the eggs with your slotted spoon and transfer them into the ice bath. This will halt the cooking process and make your eggs easier to peel.

Step 7: Peeling

Once the eggs are cooled (about 5 minutes in the ice bath), gently crack them all over and peel under running water for most manageable peeling.

Tips

• Do not overcrowd the pot; boil in batches if necessary.
• Fresh eggs are more difficult to peel. Use eggs that have been in the refrigerator for at least a week. As an egg ages, moisture escapes from the shell leaving an air pocket inside.  The more air there is, the easier it will be to peel them.  
• For extra help with peeling, after cooling the eggs in an ice-water bath, peel the eggs under cold running water or in the water bath itself.

Nutrition & Macros

One large egg contains about 6 grams of protein which is important for building and repairing tissues in the body. It also provides 5 grams of healthy fats that are necessary for brain health and can help with weight management by keeping you fuller longer.

Macros: 6gP, 5gF, 1gC, 0g Fiber

Eggs are also rich in choline, a nutrient that plays a vital role in brain development and function. Furthermore, they contain antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin which promote eye health.

What to do with hard boiled eggs

• Turn into egg salad.  On busy days I like to mix 2 hard boiled eggs with 1 individual serving of avocado mash for a quick low carb option.  
• On toast!  Slice your hard boiled eggs and place on buttered toast with a bit of Seasonello!
• Eat them plain as a protein-packed snack.  Pair with berries and whole grain crackers to make it more substantial.  
• Use them to make a Cobb salad for a low carb day meal.  
• My kids usually grab their own hard boiled eggs in the morning as part of a quick hands off breakfast for me!
• Decorate them for Easter 🙂

How long will hard boiled eggs last

Hard boiled eggs can last up to one week if stored properly. The key is to keep them in the fridge and not leave them out at room temperature for too long. 

I usually place eggs in a bowl once cooled and store them on the center shelf in my fridge.  This way anytime we open the fridge we can see them, and eat them before the week is over.  

Sources

1. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/Is-it-safe-to-eat-lightly-cooked-egg-dishes-or-use-recipes-that-call-for-raw-eggs