The Perfect, Easy-to-Peel Hard Boiled Eggs (2024)

By Laura Fuentes on Apr 3, 2013 Updated Mar 6, 2024

This simple hard-boiled eggs recipe is the secret to perfect, easy-to-peel boiled eggs every single time. It’s a no-fail method that will have you boiling eggs with gorgeous bright yellow yolks and no green lines.

Hard-boiled eggs are ameal prep staplein my kitchen.I use them to make a variety of lunches likeavocado egg saladand my kid’s personal favorites,deviled eggs.

In this post, have the solution for cooking hard-boiled eggs at home, plus simple tips to make sure those shells glide right off, let’s get to it!

Easy Peel Boiled Eggs

Making easy-peel hard-boiled eggs happens when you cook andrestthem properly. Yes, eggs need a break too :)

Here are the most important tips to making perfect, hard-boiled eggs:

Use Week Old Eggs

The best eggs for boiling are at least a week to ten days old. If an egg is fresh, the pH of the white is super low, which causes it to stick to the shell membrane. I recommend purchasing an extra carton of eggs each week, use one for omelets and scrambled eggs, and reserve the extra carton for hard-boiled eggs the next week.

Turn Off the Heat

Perfectly cooked eggs have bright and yellow yolks. I’ve found the method that works best is to bring the eggs and water to a boil, turn off the heat, and let them sit for 13 minutes. This prevents them from overcooking and the yolk getting that not-so-appetizing gray/green ring, a sure sign of an overcooked egg.

Ice Bath

There areseveral ways to peel hard-boiled eggs, but make sure you give them an ice bath first. The ice-water will “shock” the membrane in between the egg white and the eggshell, loosening the shell and allowing you to peel it off in nearly one piece.

How to Boil Eggs Step-by-Step

Perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs aren’t difficult — and, when you do it right, not only do you have an exquisitely yellow, tender center but you also have a hard-boiled egg that is easy to peel.

1. Cover with water
   Set the eggs in the bottom of a large pot or saucepan and cover with cold water by 2 inches.
2. Bring to a Boil
   Set the eggs over medium-high heat and bring to a rolling boil.
3. Immediately Remove from Heat
   Remove the eggs from heat and cover the saucepan with a fitted lid.
4. Time for 13 minutes
   Set a timer for 13 minutes and walk away. The eggs will cook slowly and perfectly in the hot water.
5. Rest in an Ice Bath
   In a large bowl, make an ice water bath. Strain the eggs from the hot water and place them in the cold water for 5 minutes.
6. Crack and Peel
   Carefully crack the eggshells, and gently begin removing the shells, dipping the eggs back in the water, when necessary.

Boiled Eggs – Video Instructions

Need a visual for the recipe above? Check out the video on how to make hard-boiled eggs on the stove-top:

Hard-Boiled Eggs Cooking Time for Easy Peeling

Whether you’re boiling eggs for deviled eggs, lunches or another recipe, timing is everything! For large eggs, you will cook for 13 in hot water. For small or medium size eggs, you can scale down to just 11 minutes.

Once the eggs and water are at a boil, remove the pot from heat, cover with the lid, and set a timer for the entirety of the cooktime, do not boil the whole time. Once you come back the egg whites will be completely set and the yolks cooked just right.

It’s simple and easy recipe tips like this one that help parents pull off mealtimes without a glitch. You’ll find them inside the MOMables Classic Meal Plan.Download a sample meal plan here.

Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs

There are a few ways to peel hard-boiled eggs without taking off the shell and in the video below you’ll see me try the most popular methods.

It’s important to keep in mind that making easy-peel eggs starts with using week-old eggs and making sure to soak them in an ice bath, prior to peeling. Once you’ve gotten that out of the way, it’s time to move on to the next step:

Tips for Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Aside from cooking right and using week-old eggs, there are a few more tips to keep in mind so you make perfect hard-boiled eggs, every time.

• Don’t Refrigerate-refrigerated hard-boiled eggs will not peel well. Peel your eggs once they’ve been iced and are at room temperature.
• Baking soda-add 1 teaspoon baking soda to the water, it prevents any sticking.
• Peel under running water-the water helps to separate the egg from the shell.

How Long to Store Hard Boiled Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs will stay good for up to 5 days refrigerated in an airtight container. They are definitely one meal prep ingredient I keep on hand to make eggs salad for lunches or a high-protein snack that’s easy to grab before a run or after school sports.

Bonus tip: If you’re wanting to save eggs for longer periods of time, see how to freeze eggs here.