How to hard boiled Eggs: Eggs are a very versatile and nutritious food. They are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and they can be cooked in a variety of ways. Some common ways to cook eggs include boiling, frying, scrambling, and baking.
RELATED: How to cook Rice
Boiled eggs are cooked by placing them in a saucepan or pot of boiling water until they are cooked to the desired level of doneness. Hard-boiled eggs have been cooked until the yolks and whites are fully set, while soft-boiled eggs have a runny yolk and a soft white.
Table of Contents
How to hard boiled Eggs
To hard boil eggs, follow these steps:
- Place the eggs in a single layer in a saucepan or pot.
- Add cold water to the pot, making sure the water covers the eggs by at least an inch.
- Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil.
- Once the water has reached a boil, remove the pot from the heat and cover it with a lid.
- Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 10-12 minutes for large eggs (9-10 minutes for medium eggs, or 12-15 minutes for extra large eggs).
- After the eggs have finished cooking, drain the hot water from the pot and transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water.
- Let the eggs sit in the ice water for at least 10 minutes to cool.
- Once the eggs are cool, gently tap them on a hard surface to crack the shells. Roll the eggs on the surface to loosen the shells, then peel them off under running water.
- The eggs are now ready to be eaten, or they can be stored in the refrigerator until needed.
RELATED: How to cook Bacon in the Oven
How to hard boiled Eggs
Other Ways to Hard Boil Eggs
There are a few other methods you can use to hard boil eggs:
- Baked method: Preheat your oven to 325ยฐF (165ยฐC). Place the eggs in a muffin tin and bake them for 30 minutes. Then transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool.
- Instant Pot method: Place the eggs in the inner pot of an Instant Pot. Add 1 cup of water. Close the lid and set the valve to sealing. Press the “manual” or “pressure cook” button and set the timer for 5 minutes for large eggs (4 minutes for medium eggs, 6 minutes for extra large eggs). When the timer beeps, use the quick release method to release the pressure, then transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool.
- Microwave method: Place the eggs in a single layer in a microwave-safe dish. Add water to the dish until the eggs are covered. Microwave on high power for 8-10 minutes (depending on the size of the eggs and the power of your microwave), then transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool.
How to Avoid a Green Ring
A green ring around the yolk of a hard-boiled egg is caused by the reaction between the iron in the egg yolk and the sulfur in the egg white. It’s more likely to occur when the eggs are overcooked or if the pH of the cooking water is too high. To avoid a green ring, try the following tips:
RELATED: How to eat Crawfish (+VIDEO) โ Step by Step
- Avoid overcooking the eggs: As a general rule, large eggs should be cooked for about 10-12 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. If you cook the eggs for too long, the yolk will become dry and crumbly and the green ring will be more likely to form.
- Use vinegar in the cooking water: Adding a little vinegar to the cooking water can help to lower the pH and prevent the formation of a green ring. Use about 1 teaspoon of vinegar for every quart of water.
- Cool the eggs quickly: After the eggs have finished cooking, transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool. This will help to stop the cooking process and prevent the green ring from forming.
- Use fresh eggs: Older eggs are more likely to develop a green ring because the yolk and white begin to separate as the egg ages. Use eggs that are as fresh as possible for the best results.
How To Use Hard Boiled Eggs
There are many different ways to use hard-boiled eggs. Here are a few ideas:
- Egg salad: Hard-boiled eggs can be diced and mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, and other seasonings to make egg salad. Egg salad can be served on sandwiches, in lettuce cups, or on its own as a side dish.
- Deviled eggs: Hard-boiled eggs can be cut in half, with the yolks removed and mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, and other seasonings to make deviled eggs. The yolk mixture is then spooned back into the egg white halves. Deviled eggs are a popular appetizer or party food.
- Egg sandwiches: Hard-boiled eggs can be sliced and added to sandwiches with other fillings like lettuce, tomato, and avocado.
- Salad topping: Hard-boiled eggs can be diced and used as a topping for salads. They add protein and flavor to the salad.
- Snack: Hard-boiled eggs can be eaten as a snack on their own, with a sprinkle of salt or other seasonings.
- Breakfast burrito: Hard-boiled eggs can be diced and added to a breakfast burrito with other ingredients like cheese, bacon, and potatoes.
- Egg slices: Hard-boiled eggs can be sliced and added to a variety of dishes, such as pizza, pasta, or grain bowls.
- Egg soup: Hard-boiled eggs can be added to soups, like egg drop soup or avgolemono (a Greek soup made with eggs and lemon).
- Egg drop appetizers: Hard-boiled eggs can be cut into small pieces and mixed into a batch of egg drop soup. The soup is then spooned into small cups or bowls and served as an appetizer.
RELATED: How to eat a Pomegranate
How To Store Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. To store hard-boiled eggs, follow these steps:
- Let the eggs cool completely: After boiling the eggs, transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool for at least 10 minutes.
- Peel the eggs: Once the eggs are cool, gently tap them on a hard surface to crack the shells. Roll the eggs on the surface to loosen the shells, then peel them off under running water.
- Place the eggs in a covered container: Transfer the peeled eggs to a covered container, such as a plastic container with a lid or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Store the eggs in the refrigerator: Place the covered container of eggs in the refrigerator. The eggs will stay fresh for up to one week.
To store unpeeled hard-boiled eggs, follow the same steps, but skip the peeling step. Unpeeled hard-boiled eggs will stay fresh for about a week in the refrigerator.
It’s important to note that hard-boiled eggs should be kept in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of bacteria. They should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours.
Easy To Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
If you have trouble peeling hard-boiled eggs, there are a few tricks you can try to make the process easier:
- Use older eggs: As eggs age, the pH of the whites increases, which can make them easier to peel.
- Add baking soda to the cooking water: Baking soda can help to soften the eggshells and make them easier to peel. Add about 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the cooking water for every 6 eggs.
- Shock the eggs in cold water after cooking: After the eggs have finished cooking, transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool. This will cause the egg whites to contract away from the shells, making them easier to peel.
- Roll the eggs on the counter: After the eggs have cooled, gently roll them on the counter to crack the shells. Then, start peeling from the wider end of the egg, where the air pocket is located.
- Peel under running water: Once the shells are cracked, peel the eggs under running water. The water will help to loosen any bits of shell that are stuck to the egg.
By following these tips, you should be able to peel your hard-boiled eggs more easily.
RELATED: How to cook a Turkey
Tips & Notes For Perfect Eggs Every Time
Here are a few tips and notes for achieving perfect eggs every time:
- Use the right size pot: Make sure you use a pot that is large enough to hold the eggs in a single layer. Using a pot that is too small can cause the eggs to crack and become difficult to peel.
- Use the right amount of water: The water should cover the eggs by at least an inch. If you use too much water, the eggs will be more difficult to peel. If you use too little water, the eggs may crack.
- Avoid overcooking: Overcooking can cause the yolks to become dry and crumbly, and it can also lead to the formation of a green ring around the yolk. Use a timer to ensure that the eggs are cooked to the desired level of doneness.
- Cool the eggs quickly: After the eggs have finished cooking, transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool. This will help to stop the cooking process and prevent the green ring from forming.
- Use fresh eggs: Older eggs are more likely to develop a green ring because the yolk and white begin to separate as the egg ages. Use eggs that are as fresh as possible for the best results.
- Store the eggs properly: Hard-boiled eggs should be stored in the refrigerator to prevent the growth of bacteria. They should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours.