How To Make Hard Boiled Eggs

Name: How To Make Hard Boiled Eggs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 6 servings, 1 egg each
Ingredients: 6 large eggs; Cold water, enough to cover the eggs by 1 inch; Ice, for an ice bath; Cold water, for the ice bath

Hard boiled eggs are simple, but a few small choices make them easier to peel and more consistent. This stovetop method uses cold water, gentle heat, and an ice bath for firm whites and creamy yolks.

Total time: 27 min
Yield: 6 servings, 1 egg each
Difficulty: Easy

Prep 5mCook 22mBreakfast

Hard boiled eggs are one of the most useful foods to keep in the refrigerator. Eat them with toast, slice them onto salads, pack them for snacks, or turn them into egg salad.

The method is simple: start the eggs in cold water, bring the water to a boil, then let the eggs sit covered off the heat. This gentle cooking helps prevent rubbery whites and that gray-green ring around the yolk.

An ice bath is the final important step. It stops the cooking quickly and helps the shell pull away from the egg more easily.

01What you'll need

Ingredients

4 items · 6 servings, 1 egg each

6 large eggs
Cold water, enough to cover the eggs by 1 inch
Ice, for an ice bath
Cold water, for the ice bath

02How to make it

Step-by-step

1. Choose a saucepan
Place the eggs in a single layer in a medium saucepan. Do not stack them, since stacked eggs can crack as the water heats.
2. Cover with cold water
Add enough cold water to cover the eggs by about 1 inch. Starting with cold water helps the eggs heat gradually and cook more evenly.
3. Bring to a boil
Set the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the water to a full boil. A full boil means large bubbles are breaking across the surface, not just a few small bubbles at the edges.
4. Turn off the heat
As soon as the water reaches a full boil, turn off the heat. Cover the pan with a lid and leave it on the same burner.
5. Let the eggs stand
Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Use 10 minutes for a slightly softer, deep yellow yolk, or 12 minutes for a fully firm yolk.
6. Make an ice bath
While the eggs stand, fill a bowl with ice and cold water. The bowl should be large enough to hold all the eggs with water around them.
7. Chill the eggs
Use a slotted spoon to move the eggs from the hot water into the ice bath. Let them chill for at least 5 minutes. This stops the cooking and makes the eggs easier to handle.
8. Peel or store
Tap each egg gently on the counter, roll it to crack the shell, and peel under a little running water if needed. If you are not eating them right away, leave the shells on and refrigerate.

03From our kitchen

Cook's tips

Make ahead: Hard boiled eggs are a good meal-prep food. Cook a batch, cool it fully, and refrigerate for easy breakfasts, snacks, or salads.
Storage: Store unpeeled hard boiled eggs in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Peeled eggs are best within 2 to 3 days and should be kept in an airtight container.
Easier peeling: Eggs that are a week or two old often peel more easily than very fresh eggs. The ice bath also helps by cooling the egg quickly and slightly pulling it away from the shell.
Avoid overcooking: Do not keep the eggs boiling for the full cooking time. Boiling too hard can make the whites tough and may create a gray-green ring around the yolk.
Cooking fewer or more eggs: The timing stays about the same as long as the eggs fit in one layer and are covered by 1 inch of water. Use a larger pot for a larger batch.
No ice? Use the coldest tap water you have and change the water once or twice as it warms. Ice works better, but cold water still helps stop the cooking.

Cook's note

This recipe uses large eggs. Extra-large eggs may need 1 additional minute of standing time, while medium eggs may be done closer to 9 or 10 minutes.

04Frequently asked

Questions & answers

How long do you boil eggs for hard boiled eggs?

Bring the water to a full boil, then turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let the eggs stand for 10 to 12 minutes. They are not actively boiled the whole time.

Why are my hard boiled eggs hard to peel?

Very fresh eggs can be harder to peel. For easier peeling, use eggs that have been in the refrigerator for several days, cool them in an ice bath, and peel under running water if the shell sticks.

How do I know if a hard boiled egg is done?

After 10 to 12 minutes in hot water, a large egg should be hard boiled. If you are unsure, peel one test egg and cut it open. If the yolk is too soft, return the rest to hot water for 1 to 2 minutes.

Can I make hard boiled eggs without an ice bath?

Yes, but the eggs may continue cooking for a few minutes and may be a little harder to peel. If you do not have ice, chill them under cold running water and then let them sit in a bowl of cold water.

How long do hard boiled eggs last in the fridge?

Unpeeled hard boiled eggs last up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Peeled eggs dry out faster, so store them in an airtight container and use them within 2 to 3 days.

05Per serving

Nutrition Facts

6 servings, 1 egg each

Amount per serving

Calories78

% Daily Value*

Total Fat5 g: 6%
Saturated Fat2 g: 10%
Cholesterol187 mg: 62%
Sodium62 mg: 3%
Total Carbohydrate1 g: 0%
Dietary Fiber0 g: 0%
Total Sugars1 g
Protein6 g: 12%

Vitamin D1.1 mcg: 6%
Calcium25 mg: 2%
Iron0.6 mg: 3%
Potassium63 mg: 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

05Keep cooking

Breakfast

Soft Boiled Eggs

Soft boiled eggs are simple, but timing matters. This method gives you tender whites and a warm, jammy-to-runny yolk for toast, ramen, salads, and breakfast bowls.

9m2 servingsEasy

Breakfast

Eggs in Purgatory

Eggs in purgatory is a simple skillet meal of eggs gently poached in a spicy tomato sauce. It is cozy enough for dinner and quick enough for a late breakfast.

35m4 servingsEasy

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs with Cream Cheese

Soft scrambled eggs meet little pockets of tangy cream cheese in this quick breakfast. Cook them low and slow for creamy eggs that feel special but take less than 15 minutes.

12m2 servingsEasy