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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Breakfast / How to Boil Eggs

    How to Boil Eggs

    Published: Feb 10, 2020 · Modified: Oct 22, 2022 by Anna 9 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A complete step-by-step guide to learn how to boil eggs to make them perfectly soft-boiled, medium or hard-boiled. These eggs are very easy to peel too!

    Sliced cooked eggs on a cutting board.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Method Works
    • How to boil eggs?
    • Cooking times:
    • How to cook eggs so they peel easily?
    • Cooking Eggs in the Microwave
    • Recipes Using Hard-Boiled Eggs
    • FAQs about boiled eggs
    • More how-to recipes:
    • How to Boil Eggs

    Why This Method Works

    Learning how to perfectly boil eggs is a kitchen basic, that everyone should know. Today I am sharing my tips for cooking the best boiled eggs. This fail-proof method lets you make perfect soft-boiled, medium or hard-boiled eggs. The addition of salt and the ice water bath makes them very easy to peel. I use them for salads, on sandwiches, as a snack.

    How to boil eggs?

    • Remove your eggs from the fridge and set them on the counter.
    • Fill a pot halfway with tap water. Stir in salt.
    • Bring to a boil over medium heat.
    • Once boiling, turn the heat down to low heat and carefully place eggs in the pot.
    • Cover the pot with a lid and turn the heat back to medium heat. Cook eggs according to the chart below, depending on how soft or hard boiled you need them.
    Steps for boiling eggs.
    • Fill a large bowl with water and ice. Set aside.
    • After the cooking time. remove the eggs from the water and immediately place them in a bowl with ice water.
    • Chill the eggs for at least 10 minutes.
    • Peel by gently tapping the bottom of the egg against the counter, then roll it around to loosen the shell. Peel it off. It should come off easily.

    Cooking times:

    • soft-boiled: cook eggs for 7 to 8 minutes; this is perfect for Asian pho soup!
    • medium-boiled: cook eggs for 10 minutes; the yolk will have a softer center and the whites will be cooked.
    • hard-boiled: cook eggs for 12 to 14 minutes; the eggs are perfect for deviled eggs, salads and sandwiches.

    How to cook eggs so they peel easily?

    Just like my mom and my grandma, I've always added a teaspoon of salt to the boiling water for cooking eggs. Also, the ice bath (not just cold water, but with actual ice cubes) helps here too. The shell pretty much peels off in one piece. It is helpful to start at the bottom of the egg where there is often a bubble of air. I gently tap that side against a counter or the side of the bowl and roll the egg to loosen up the shell. Then remove it. It's so easy!

    Egg peeled on a plate.

    Cooking Eggs in the Microwave

    This method is best for cooking hard-boiled eggs. The rule is the same: cook water in a microwave-safe bowl until boiling. Add eggs and cook for 10 minutes. Carefully remove from the microwave and place the eggs in an ice-water bath.

    Recipes Using Hard-Boiled Eggs

    • Avocado Egg Salad
    • Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad Recipe
    • Simple Macaroni Salad
    • Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe

    FAQs about boiled eggs

    How to avoid a green ring?

    The most common problem we stumble upon with cooking eggs is a gray or green ring around the yolk. The discoloration comes from over-cooking the eggs so it is important to stick to the cooking times explained above. Another reason may be cooking eggs in hard water. If the water has high levels of iron, chances are your eggs will have the dreaded green ring. Try filtered water!

    How long can I store cooked eggs?

    Boiled eggs should always be stored in a fridge. Hard-boiled eggs will stay good for up to 1 week. If you peel them before refrigerating, place them in a bowl and cover with water. It will prevent them from drying out.

    Are fresh eggs better for boiling?

    It's the exact oposite! Fresh eggs are better for frying sunny side-up. Fresh eggs are also harder to peel. If you are boiling eggs for deviled eggs or salads, buy them at least a week ahead.

    Soft and hard-boiled eggs on a board.

    More how-to recipes:

    • How to Roast Garlic
    • How to Steam Broccoli
    • How to Cook Couscous {stovetop & microwave}
    • How to Freeze Zucchini

    If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

    Boiled eggs on a cutting board.

    How to Boil Eggs

    Author: Anna
    A complete step by step guide to boiling eggs to make them perfectly soft-boiled, medium or hard-boiled. These eggs are very easy to peel too! You can serve them for breakfast or brunch, use to make deviled eggs, a cobb salad or an egg salad.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    chilling time 10 mins
    Total Time 22 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 63 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 6 large eggs
    • 5 cups water
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Remove eggs from the fridge and set on the counter.
    • Fill a pot with water, at least halfway. The amount of water needed depends on how large is your pot.
    • Bring to a boil over medium heat.
    • Stir in salt to water. Reduce the heat to low. Once the bubbling calms down, gently place eggs in water. This will prevent them from bobbing around and breaking.
    • Cover the pot with lid and bring the heat back up to medium-low.
    • Cook eggs for 7 minutes for soft-boiled eggs, 10 minutes for medium eggs and 12 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
    • Fill a large bowl with water and ice cubes.
    • Once the cooking time is up, remove from boiling water and place immediately in ice water.
    • Let the eggs chill for 10 minutes.
    • To peel, tap the bottom of an egg gently against the counter and then roll to loosen up the shell. Peel it off. It should come off easily.
    • Use eggs right away or store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

    Notes

    1. You can cook as many eggs, as you can fit in the pot without crowding it. Use large deep saucepan with lid to cook a dozen at a time.
    2. Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 61mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jodi Garza says

      April 03, 2021 at 5:30 pm

      5 stars
      It’s amazing how you’re “adulting” through your whole life, owning a home, having college age kids, cooking full course meals and baking desserts that I actually sell (for money) and having never boiled an egg in my entire life! Thank you for your step by step glorious recipe!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        April 03, 2021 at 10:34 pm

        I love that! It's never too late to learn something new. Thank you for the awesome comment, Jodi! I am glad my recipe is helpful!

        Reply
    2. Chinazor says

      February 13, 2020 at 11:14 am

      5 stars
      I have boiled eggs all my life and its amazing to find out why I never really get the results I want.
      Thanks for teaching me how to do this the right way.

      Reply
    3. Katie says

      February 12, 2020 at 2:02 pm

      5 stars
      LOVE this, they always turn out amazing when using your recipe!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

        That's fantastic! Thank you, Katie!

        Reply
    4. Kristyn says

      February 12, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for the great tips!! They really make the perfect boiled eggs! I try to always have boiled eggs on hand..love them!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

        Same here! I am glad it's helpful. Thank you, Kristyn!

        Reply
    5. Eden says

      February 12, 2020 at 12:57 pm

      5 stars
      Wonderful guide! We love hard-boiled eggs in our house and I learned some good tips! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        February 13, 2020 at 12:00 am

        You are very welcome, Eden!

        Reply

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