How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs Perfectly Every Time

A couple of months back we polled the AK Instagram audience to see what types of kitchen tutorials, hacks and basic recipes you wanted or needed help with. Much to my surprise, we got TONS of requests for how to make hard boiled eggs, so of course, we had to test out the very best method.

In this guide to making perfect hard boiled eggs you’ll not only get our step-by-step instructions, but also the ideal cook times depending on how soft or firm you like your eggs, tricks for easily peeling them, and everything in-between. Yes, we cooked and tested MANY eggs in this process to put together the most comprehensive guide for you.

OH and you know we had to include some of the best ways to enjoy your perfect hard boiled eggs! Check out our list of recipes that would be delicious with an egg on top. Jammy eggs on a warm bowl of sesame tahini noodles? OKAY. Let us know in the comments which egg is your favorite and of course, how you enjoyed it!

Table of Contents

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What is hard boiling?

While there are tons of ways to cook eggs — scrambled, fried, sunnyside up, etc. the majority of these methods require cracking the egg out of its shell in order to cook it. Hard boiling, on the other hand, means we’re going to fully cook the inside of the eggs while they’re still in the shell by using boiling water.

Choose the right eggs

I know it might be tempting to pick up a fresh carton of eggs and get right to boiling them, but I recommend using older eggs (1-2 weeks old) for hard boiling because they are much easier to peel.

Everything you’ll need to make perfect hard boiled eggs

I bet you already have these super simple tools to make hard boiled eggs already in your kitchen:

How to hard boil eggs (the BEST method)

This is seriously the best, easiest method for hard boiling eggs so that they’re cooked to your liking and easy to peel!

Step 1: very gently place eggs in a large pot to avoid cracking them. Pour in cold water (yes, cold) to cover the eggs completely.

Step 2: place the pot on your stove over high heat and bring the water to a boil.

Step 3: as soon as the water starts boiling, immediately turn off the heat, cover the pot, remove it from the burner and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 5-10 minutes. While the eggs are cooking in the pot, add cold water and lots of ice to a large bowl.

Tip: leave the eggs in the hot water for 5 minutes if you like a slightly underdone yolk, and 10 for a firm yolk. See below for a visual of each different cook time!

Step 4: once eggs are done cooking to your liking, remove eggs with a small sieve or slotted spoon and transfer to the bowl with ice water. Allow eggs to sit in the water for 2 minutes, no longer. Check out our tips for peeling your eggs below!

How long should I boil my eggs?

This is 100% a personal preference, but different types of hard boiled eggs are great for different uses and recipes!

Slightly underdone eggs have a yolk that’s more “jammy” and are great for adding to bowls of ramen, grain bowls, topping avocado toast or even eating straight out of the shell in an egg cup. These will take about 5 minutes to sit in your pot of hot water.
Firmer eggs are delicious in salads and grain bowls as well and are great for using to make egg salad sandwiches. These eggs will take closer to 10 minutes to sit in your pot but will still be nice and creamy.

Easy peel hard boiled eggs 2 different ways

We’ve all been there: you go to peel your hard boiled egg and stubborn bits of shell start taking away the whites of your egg. So frustrating! Good news — with these two methods you’ll be able to easily peel each hard boiled egg that you make in no time.

Tip: remember that older eggs are best for hard boiling because they will be easier to peel than newer eggs.

Method 1: use your hands

Remove the eggs from the ice cold water bath using a small sieve or slotted spoon. Tap it on your counter, rotating the egg so that you’re cracking the entire shell.
Gently roll the egg with your hand on the counter to make sure the shell is completely loose.
Use your fingers to peel open a small hole on one end of the egg. Sometimes this is easier when done under running water.
You can continue to use your fingers to remove the shell.
Rinse any remaining shell bits off and enjoy!

Method 2: use a spoon

Follow steps 1-3 for removing the shell above, then instead of using your fingers to remove the shell, slide a spoon under between the shell and the egg, and turn the egg so that the shell comes off in one piece. Voila!

Storing tips

Store your hard boiled eggs peeled or in their shells in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They make the perfect grab-and-go snack!

Our fav ways to enjoy hard boiled eggs

The options are truly endless! Besides eating them as-is or on avocado toast with a little salt and pepper or everything bagel seasoning, try adding them to:

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Learn how to make hard boiled eggs with just a few simple tools in under 15 minutes! In this foolproof tutorial, you’ll get step-by-step instructions, tips & tricks for making and peeling perfect hard boiled eggs, whether they’re slightly jammy or completely firm. Enjoy these eggs as a protein-packed snack or add them to your fav recipes!

Large eggs (older eggs the better, no more than 6-8 eggs at a time in a pot)

Very gently place eggs in a large pot to avoid cracking them.
Cover eggs completely with cold water.
Place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring the water to a boil.
Once the water boils, immediately turn off the heat, cover the pot, remove it from the burner and allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for 5-10 minutes. (5 minutes for a slightly underdone yolk, 10 for a firm yolk.)
While the eggs are cooking, add cold water and lots of ice to a large bowl.
Once eggs are done cooking, remove eggs with a small sieve or slotted spoon and transfer to the bowl with ice water. Allow eggs to sit in the water for 2 minutes, no longer.
Remove the eggs from the water using a small sieve or slotted spoon and tap it on your counter, rotating the egg so that you’re cracking the entire shell. Gently roll the egg with your hand on the counter to make sure the shell is completely loose. Use your fingers to peel open a small hole on one end of the egg. Sometimes this is easier when done under running water. You can continue to use your fingers to remove the shell, or slide a spoon under between the shell and the egg, and turn the egg so that the shell comes off in one piece. Rinse any remaining shell bits off.
Enjoy plain, with toast, in a salad, or mashed into egg salad. Or really, however you’d like.