Learn how to boil eggs to be perfect and it’s to peel. It’s quick, simple, and NO FAIL – we’ve tested so many methods and this is the BEST!
Whether you’re adding them to a salad, Egg Salad Sandwiches, or making Deviled Eggs, knowing how long to boil eggs is a MUST. These always come out amazing and are easy to peel!
The Secret You’ve been waiting for!
I spent the first few years of marriage trying to figure out how to boil the perfect egg. I had googled it and tried countless tutorials.
Most turned out okay but almost always there was not a consistent result. Sometimes the eggs would be cooked all the way, had that un-appetizing gray ring around the yolk, or they were hard to peel. Not good.
It’s been several years now, and after many attempts (hot starts, cold starts, cook time, and ice bath time), I learned the best method for boiling eggs.
We have found many methods to make Easy Peel Boiled Eggs, but of those ways, we definitely have our go-to that is the most simple, quick, AND always results in a perfectly boiled egg that also peels easily.
The best part is that it works for FRESH eggs or OLDER eggs.
The main trick is to always use a HOT START.
How Long to Boil Eggs
This depends on what consistency you want your eggs, but in general, when boiling eggs, most people are looking for a perfectly cooked egg.
We have tried several methods for boiling eggs, but here is what we found:
If the water is boiling, ladle the eggs into the water, then boil for 15 minutes (ice bath for 5 minutes).
We have tried many other ways of doing this (with hot starts), including:
- Simmer for 15 minutes – Ice bath for 5 minutes (our top choice)
- Simmer for 15 minutes – Ice bath for 10 minutes
- Simmer for 13 minutes – Ice bath for 15 minutes
- Boil for 8 minutes – turn off the burner and let sit for 10-25 minutes – Ice bath for 15 minutes
All worked, but some took more time than others and some didn’t peel as easily, which is why we stick with the first method.
It always works, and the result is PERFECT!
The Perfect Method
Hard-boiling eggs is easier than you think. You will need:
- 6 large eggs
- water
- ice bath (cold water with ice in a bowl)
Follow these simple steps to know how long to boil eggs and the next steps to get them to be perfect.
WATER. Bring water to a rolling boil in a medium pot or saucepan (the KEY for perfect eggs).
EGGS. Once the water is boiling, gently place eggs using a strainer ladle or slotted spoon, into the water in a single layer.
Turn the heat down so it is at a simmer, and simmer the eggs for 15 minutes.
ICE BATH. Add the eggs to a large bowl of ice water (ice bath) and set a timer for 5 minutes.
PEEL. Remove from water. To shell, tap the eggs on the counter to crack. Easily peel the eggs and see that they are perfectly cooked – with a nice no-gray golden-yellow yolk!
For even more methods of boiled eggs that peel easily, check out these Methods for Easy Peel Boiled Eggs.
More Cooking options
Microwave. Fill a bowl big enough to submerge an egg with water. Microwave for 3 minutes. Using a needle, safety pin, or thumbtack, prick the bottom of the egg to prevent it from exploding.
Put the egg in the bowl of hot water, cover it with a plate, and microwave for 4 minutes at 50%. Leave in the water for an additional 2-3 minutes before peeling.
Oven. Preheat to 350°F. Put 1 egg in each cup of a muffin tin. Bake for 30 minutes, and then place in an ice bath for about 10 minutes. Simple!
Instant pot. Check out this post: Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs!
What can you make with them?
Now that you have some hard-boiled eggs, what can you make with them?
We know they taste great on their own with a little bit of salt and pepper but take them a step further by making some of these delicious recipes.
They make great additions to almost any salad!
The possibilities are endless but remember they are great as an after-school snack or for your Easter celebrations!
Recipe Tips + Storing
Label your eggs. Place boiled eggs back in the carton and label the carton “Hard Boiled,” or mark each egg “HB” with a permanent marker.
To check unmarked eggs, give it a spin. If it is hard-boiled, it will spin like a top. If it is not boiled, the yolk will keep it from spinning smoothly and it will wobble a bit.
A soft-boiled egg has a completely cooked egg white but the yolk is still warm and runny. To cook a soft-boiled egg, complete the recipe as directed except only boil the egg for 6 ½ minutes before placing it in the ice bath.
STORE eggs in the refrigerator. If peeled, place them in a dated Ziploc bag or in an airtight container for up to one week.
Recipe FAQ
A hot start is the trick for perfect boiled eggs. Although you can still have a cold start, we don’t think the eggs cook as well or peel as easily.
5 minutes is perfect! After putting eggs in boiling water and boiling for 15 minutes, a 5 minute ice bath afterwards is the perfect method for boiling eggs.
From start to finish, the process takes about 20 minutes. 5 minutes to boil water, 5 minutes to cook eggs in boiling water and then 5 minutes in an ice bath.
For more great tips:
- How to Soften Butter Quickly
- How to Make Perfect Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Easy Peel Boiled Eggs
- How to Cook a Spaghetti Squash
- How to Pick Out a Good Watermelon
How to Boil Eggs
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- water
- ice bath
Instructions
- To start, bring water to a boil in a medium pot. Once the water is boiling, gently lower the eggs using a strainer ladle, into the water. Turn the heat down so it is a simmer, and simmer eggs for 15 minutes.
- Once done, add the eggs to an ice bath for 5 minutes.
- Remove from water, tap on counter to shell. The shell will come off perfectly and the eggs will be cooked perfectly as well!
The shell comes off perfectly
Have you tried soft boiled eggs? I like the yokes slightly raw. 🤔
Do you start with room temperature eggs or right from the refrigerator?
Either. The instructions should work well for either one!
I made your taquitos with chicken and cream cheese and spinach Delicious! I added to mine cooked onions and mushrooms with garlic. I poached my chicken instead od cookingnit in oil or butter. To Poach I used a quick method you might like to try.
I cooked 6 boneless and skinless chicken bteast. I put cold water in a 8 quart pot. I filled it it about half full then brought it to a boil then removed it from heat and added the 6 breast. The recipe says leave in pot of boiling water off the stove for a minimum of 20 minute’s or up to an hour maximum time. Then my husband put in a ziploc bag. That’s it. What I like about this method is the chicken doesn’t dry out but stays moist. Plus it was pliable. I used just my hand to shred the chicken for taquitos. I usually have to use a fork because the meat is tougher.
Thank you kindly for sharing your wonderful recipes. 😊
What do you think about poaching chicken instead of other methods?
Thanks for the tips Kristyn! I love the outcome of my boiled eggs and used them to make egg sandwiches. Must try!
I usually use my Instant Pot to boil eggs, but it was being used, so I tried this method. Worked great!
It’s a no fail recipe indeed! It turned out perfect, just how we love our boiled eggs. Lovely recipe!