In my book, there are two characteristics to the perfect hard boiled egg: they can’t have any grey-ish rings around the yolk and they also have to be easy to peel! Before practicing this method, it was such a gamble to get it right. Not anymore! Now they’re cooked to perfection every time. In this post, you’ll see how easy it is to make beautiful hard boiled eggs for every occasion! Whether you’re dyeing Easter eggs, craving a simple Egg Salad Sandwich, or whipping up a batch of Deviled Eggs to snack on, this method will give you smooth, hard, yet creamy yolks without the unappetizing green or grey ring.
Ingredients (Including our Secret Ingredient)
Eggs – This hard boiled eggs recipe works the best with large eggs to medium eggs. If you are using small, medium, or jumbo eggs, you will need to adjust the cook time. If you are using farm fresh eggs, you will want to wait one to two weeks before hard boiling them. For store bought eggs, you can hard boil them about three days after you buy them. If the eggs are too fresh, the membrane will be too strong and it will be extremely hard to peel away the shell without ripping the egg whites. Salt – The reason you salt the water is actually to safe guard the egg if it cracks. The egg white will solidify in salty water faster than unsalted water. So, if the egg cracks while boiling, the salty water will help to quickly stop up the crack. Baking Soda – This is the secret ingredient! Baking soda helps to loosen the membrane inside the shell. It changes the pH of the egg white. This makes the egg so much easier to peel. Water – You’ll need water to boil the eggs and for an ice bath afterwards. Ice – Make sure you have ice on hand for the ice bath. The colder the water, the more the egg will contract and pull away from the shell, making it easier to peel.
Method
If you have a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot, make sure to check out our Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs recipe!
How Long To Boil Eggs
After eggs have been removed from the heat, allow them to sit in the hot water (covered) for the amount of time specified depending on how well cooked you want the eggs to be:
For soft-boiled eggs with a runny yolk, let them sit for about 4-6 minutes. For medium-boiled eggs with a slightly jammy yolk, let them sit for about 8-9 minutes. For perfect hard-boiled eggs with a fully cooked yolk, let them sit for about 10-12 minutes.
Common Mistakes
The first common mistake people make is adding cold eggs straight from the refrigerator into a pan of already boiling water. This shocks the eggs and increases the chance that they will crack. Another mistake people make is not using a timer. The key to making perfect eggs on the inside is to not over boil, even by a minute. If they’re too hot for too long, you will get that green ring around the yolk. This one is a big one. If you make deviled eggs or egg salad from hard-cooked eggs, they will only be good at room temperature for two hours. If you are having a picnic or a party longer than that, then make sure you put it back in the fridge. Making this mistake can lead to food poisoning or other food borne illness.
Health Benefits of Hard Boiled Eggs
Incorporating hard-boiled eggs into your meals can be a simple way to support your overall health and nutrition. They are an excellent source of high-quality protein, containing all essential amino acids crucial for muscle repair and immune support. Packed with vitamins such as B12, D, and riboflavin, along with minerals like selenium, they contribute to overall well-being. The presence of choline supports brain health, while lutein and zeaxanthin provide antioxidant protection for the eyes. Eggs can also aid in weight management due to their protein content, and their omega-3 fatty acids contribute to heart health. With benefits for bone health, blood sugar regulation, and skin health, they are a nutritious addition to your diet.
More Ways to Prepare Eggs
Growing up, I only thought eggs could be prepared one way: scrambled. That’s the only way I liked them. But as I’ve gotten older I realized there’s a whole world of preparing eggs that give you and your family tons of yummy options! And they’re easy to do too!
Instant Pot Boiled Eggs – if you’re pressed for time, or just love your instant pot, try this easy recipe for boiled eggs. They’ll turn out perfectly every time. How to Make Scrambled Eggs – Scrambled eggs are an easy, filling meal that fill in the cracks when you’re running low on ideas in the kitchen. We love making a big batch of scrambled eggs for dinner too. It’s a great way to use up older eggs. Fried Eggs – This recipe gives you all sorts of options for cooking fried eggs, different methods and how to cook them, from small eggs to extra-large eggs. How to Make Basted Eggs – Basted eggs are one of the easiest and tastiest ways to prepare an over-easy egg that is perfectly cooked every single time.
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Recipes that Use Hard Boiled Eggs
These easy peel eggs are the perfect ingredient to so many recipes! They are a great addition to your breakfast or lunch. They taste great on sandwiches or salads. They are also key for Easter meals and activities. Here are a few of our favorites:
How to Hard Boil Eggs
Deviled Eggs
Spicy Deviled Eggs
Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe
Mom’s Potato Salad
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