Perfect Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
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. 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
Start by adding your eggs in a single layer to the bottom of a large pot or saucepan. Make sure they have space around them and they aren’t stacked on each other. Then, add enough cold water to the pot to cover the eggs with one to two inches of water. Add salt and baking soda to the pot and then bring the eggs to a boil on the stove over high heat. As soon as the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium and boil for one minute. After one minute, cover the pot with a lid and remove from the heat. Then, let the eggs sit, covered, for ten minutes. While the eggs are sitting, prepare a large bowl of ice water. When the ten minutes are up, drain some of the water out of the pot, and then use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs into the ice bath. If you are using the eggs immediately, lightly crack the eggs before adding to the water. Let the eggs sit in the ice bath until they are cool to the touch. If you are not using them right away, place eggs in the fridge until ready to use.
If you have a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot, make sure to check out our Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs recipe!
Common Mistakes
The first common mistake people make is adding the eggs to 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 greenish-grayish ring around the yolk. This one is a big one. If you make deviled eggs or egg salad, then it 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.
FAQ
READ NEXT: 33+ Super Easy Breakfast Ideas
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:
Deviled Eggs
Sriracha Deviled Eggs
Egg Salad Sandwich
Best Creamy Potato Salad
Share It on Instagram!
