Video How to make hard boiled eggs easy to peel vinegar

How to make Hard Boiled Eggs and Soft Boiled Eggs. Everyone needs a go-to method for making perfectly cooked eggs every time and it’s really easy. P.S. Learn the truth about adding salt and vinegar.

boiled eggs on a platter with hard boiled eggs, medium boiled eggs and soft boiled eggs

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Table of Contents

Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs (every time):

Are you tired of overcooked green or grey egg yolks, rubbery whites, or discovering an oozing yolk when you need a firm one for your Chicken Cobb Salad? Do you overcook your eggs just to be sure they are done?

Learn how to make hard-boiled eggs with our tried and true (easy-peel) method. Hard-boiled eggs are such a versatile ingredient and every cook should have this skill down. You will be a pro in no time, enjoying all of your favorite Boiled Egg Recipes and let’s not forget Easter eggs (Hello Bacon Deviled Eggs!).

Perfectly cooked soft boiled egg and perfectly cooked hard boiled egg

Are Salt and Vinegar Necessary?

Adding Salt to Boiled Eggs increases the boiling point of water but only by about 1 degree which is insignificant. Unless you are adding a ton of salt, it doesn’t make a difference. We do not add salt.

Adding Vinegar – they say adding vinegar to the water helps with easier peeling of eggs, but vinegar only dissolves the outer layer of the shell. It is unnecessary and can be skipped.

What are the Best Eggs for Boiling?

Eggs come in different sizes (small to jumbo) and varieties (natural, free-range, organic, omega-3, etc). The primary things to consider for boiled eggs are:

Egg Freshness – Older store-bought eggs are easier to peel. Farm fresh eggs (from backyard chickens) should be cooked under high pressure in the instant pot or they can be very difficult to peel.
Size Matters – We use Large Grade AA eggs. Large eggs (2 ounces each) are the standard size in most recipes so we stick with those. Medium eggs will cook faster and Extra Large or Jumbo eggs will take a little longer.

The best eggs for boiling in an egg carton

Tips for Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs:

Use the same pan every time for consistent results. We use a medium stainless steel saucepan. Different types of pans such as cast iron can take longer to come to a boil which may need less cooking time once eggs are at a boil.
Don’t cover with the lid or you won’t be able to see when the water starts boiling.
Set a timer as soon as the water is at a boil (keep watch for the start of the boil so you aren’t guessing at your timings).
Have a bowl of ice water ready so you can lower your eggs into there as soon as the timer is done. This stops the cooking process and makes them easier to peel.

How to Boil Eggs:

1. Place cold eggs in a medium stainless steel pot and cover with cold water, filling 1″ over the surface of the eggs. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat uncovered.

2. Once at a boil, reduce heat to keep a medium boil then set a timer for your desired doneness (see chart below).

3. Prepare your ice water bath and as soon as the timer is done, transfer eggs into ice water.

Step by step photos of how to boil eggs

How Long to Boil Eggs Chart:

As soon as the water comes to a boil, set your timer and follow this time chart for soft boiled to hard-boiled eggs. Tip: You can pull them out at different times and set up different bowls with ice water to make a variety of eggs all in one pot.

Boil 2 minutes: soft boiled with a liquid center
Boil 3 minutes: soft-boiled with a creamy center
Boil 4-5 minutes: medium-boiled with a moist, soft center
Boil 6-7 minutes: hard-boiled eggs with a soft center
Boil 8-9 minutes – fully hard-boiled eggs with firm, dry center

A perfect hard-boiled egg should have fully set (but not rubbery) whites, have a bright yellow center and should never have a green tinge around the yolk which signifies overcooking. Soft-boiled eggs have fully set whites and a creamy liquid center.

Boiled Eggs Timing Chart from soft boiled eggs to hard boiled eggs lined up in a row

The Easiest Way to Peel an Egg:

Start peeling at the thick end of the egg where the air bubble is usually located. That’s the spot where you can best get under the membrane for easy shell removal.

Peel eggs under running cold water for easier shell removal. It forces water under the membrane for easier shell removal. These tips for fresh eggs also if cooked in the instant pot.

Peeling a boiled egg

Recipes to Make with Boiled Eggs:

Hard-cooked eggs are so versatile and good for you. Here are our favorite ways to use boiled eggs:

Egg Salad – simple and excellent
Guacamole Stuffed Eggs – amazing flavor
Chicken Avocado Salad – our #1 salad
Easter Egg Chicks – so adorable!
Salmon Cobb Salad – with the best dressing
Potato Salad – with creamy dressing

This tutorial was first published in 2013. We updated the photos and shared more tips for perfect hard-cooked eggs and soft-cooked eggs in January 2020.