Looking for the perfect hard-boiled egg that is easy to peel? This is it!
This post covers the best way to make easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs when boiling them on the stovetop. You can make hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot if you prefer; learn how to make Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs here.
After a lot of trial and error, I finally figured out the secret to making the shells fall right off of hard-boiled eggs. No more tiny shell pieces or hard-to-peel eggs!
Let me be the first to tell you... we've all been led astray on how to boil eggs.
Who else has been told to put the eggs in a pot, cover with an inch of cold water, then bring them to a boil? Yeah, me too. But that's where we've been doing it wrong.
Follow this process on how to boil eggs (you can also read or print it in the recipe card below) and I guarantee you will have the easiest to peel hard-boiled eggs you've ever made.
#1: Easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs are the result of a boiling hot start.
No joke. I think this "cold start" egg myth came from the fact that potatoes actually do need a cold start. When you give potatoes a cold start—meaning that you put the chopped potatoes in a pot, cover by an inch with cold water, then boil—you wind up with a better texture and a more even cook. (Tuck that away for the next time you make mashed potatoes!)
Because this cooking method is tried and true for potatoes, people have assumed the same with eggs. But that's not the case!
#2: Making easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs requires shocking them in cold water.
After 13 minutes at a simmer (not a boil—see full method below & read the tips to prevent cracking), immediately put the eggs in ice water. Shocking them in ice-cold water stops the cooking process.
This not only yields more tender whites and a perfectly cooked yolk (no weird dark lines here), it immediately cools the eggs which makes them easier to peel.
My friends over at one of my favorite blogs, Serious Eats, go into the science of it, but you can just trust me that it's true.
You don't even have to use a second bowl, see how I shock them right in the pan with ice water in the tutorial video on this page.
#3: Easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs require a specific cooking time.
You don't want to boil the eggs for the full 13 minutes or they will be over-cooked. The best method is to bring the water to a full boil, carefully lower the eggs in (a fine mesh strainer or spider-skimmer works well), cover the pot, keep the heat on high for 30 seconds.
After 30 seconds, turn the burner to low and allow them to very gently simmer. Trust me, this is essential.
None of these tips really take much effort—and trust me—it's worth it for shells that practically fall right off the eggs.
A boiling start for 30 seconds to a very gentle simmer for 13 minutes, then an ice bath at the end makes perfect, easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs.
BUT, there are still a few mistakes that will mess up your easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs.
What about making a tiny hole at the top of the egg?
In my experience, making that tiny hole in the shell with a thumbtack actually does help—but only a little. If you don't have a thumbtack handy, you don't need to drive to the store to get one just to make easy-to-peel eggs.
However, if you already have one, use a thumbtack to make a tiny hole at the top of the big end of the egg before boiling (gently press and it will go right through the shell). The shells will be that much easier to peel.
There are other methods out there that call for salt or vinegar in the water. I tried both (multiple times!) and didn't find that either trick made a difference. So, save your salt and vinegar for other recipes.
How long do you boil eggs?
The general rule of thumb to make hard-boiled eggs is to boil (simmer) them for 13 minutes. A roaring boil can crack your eggs, so yes, first bring the water up to a boil, then let the eggs simmer for 13 minutes before transferring them to an ice bath.
The size of the eggs can also be a factor. Smaller eggs might take 11-12 minutes, while extra large eggs might take 14. I always simmer 13 minutes and they always turn out great.
Depending on how you want your yolk:
- Hard-boiled yolk: 13 minutes
- Medium soft yolk: 9 minutes
- Soft yolk (a soft-boiled egg): 6 minutes
After boiling, let the eggs sit in the ice bath for at least 15 minutes, then peel them or refrigerate them (unpeeled) for up to seven days.
The ice bath quickly cools the eggs, which prevents them from overcooking and prevents the dark ring from appearing on the outside of the yellow yolk. The ice bath also helps the shell separate, making them much easier to peel.
To peel, gently tap the egg at the big end first, then the small end, then all around.
I prefer not to roll them because it's easy to break the white. Just gently tap all around to crack the shells everywhere and they will peel with ease.
Need to learn how to make deviled eggs? You can do that right here with my deviled eggs tutorial.
Tips to Prevent Cracking
Post update: Since publishing this blog post last year, it's quickly become a top Google search result. And, while an overwhelming majority of you have commented that this method works perfectly, a few of you have commented below that your eggs cracked.
This can be for two reasons:
Mistake #1: The pan is crowded.
Be sure to not over-crowd the pan. Your eggs need a little room to groove. They should not touch or be on top of each other. There needs to be enough room to allow a single layer of eggs in your pan while they cook.
If they crack while cooking, it may be because they were too crowded.
Mistake #2: Super fresh eggs crack more easily.
And finally, don't use super fresh eggs for your hard-boiled eggs.
This is probably the only time in the kitchen that day-of-fresh isn't best. Shells like to really stick to just-laid eggs. If you have your own chickens or buy directly from a farmer, use those eggs for a glorious scramble or poach 'em up.
If you buy your eggs at the grocery store, they're already a few weeks old so they'll work great. In the US, eggs are refrigerated because they are power-washed before packing.
No need to bring them to room temp; you can use this method with eggs straight out of the refrigerator.
How to Use Your Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Tutorial: How to Make Deviled Eggs (+ 3 Recipes)
- Secretly Healthy Deviled Eggs Recipe
- Epic Egg Salad with Dill & Chives
- Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Perfect Easy-to-Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: varies
Description
This easy-to-peel hard-boiled egg post is a #1 Google search result for a reason--it works! Read the recipe notes below to prevent your eggs from cracking. If you love this recipe, give it a 5-star rating in the comments below to help other readers.
One reader recently commented, "I deployed your method just yesterday and the results were stunning! Not only did the shells just “slide” away – the eggs were gorgeous."
Ingredients
- Eggs (obviously!)
(Super fresh eggs crack easily, so try to use "older" but not bad eggs. Read the notes below.)
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a full boil. Use an appropriate-sized pot that will fit your eggs. I use a 2.5-quart pot for six eggs.
- If using, use a thumbtack to make a tiny hole at the top of the big end of the eggs. (See note.)
- Gently lower the eggs into boiling water. A fine mesh strainer or spider-skimmer work well for this.
- (Tip from a reader comment: "I took my boiling water off the burner and let it settle a moment and then gently lowered my eggs. Worked great! I had several broken eggs on my first batch when I put the eggs in while the water was at a rolling boil. Hope this helps someone because this recipe is a game-changer!")
- Boil on high for 30 seconds, then turn the burner to the lowest setting for a very gentle (not rolling) simmer. Cover the pan with a lid and wait 13 minutes. (It's ok if the water doesn't come back up to a rolling boil for the 30 seconds.)
- Put the eggs in an ice bath. You can do this by filling a separate bowl with water and ice, and transfer the eggs, or, gently pour the water out of the pan without cracking the eggs, then fill the pan with cold water and ice. The first way, with the bowl, is easiest to prevent accidentally cracking your eggs while they are hot.
- Leave the eggs in the ice bath for 15 minutes.
- Peel, or store in the refrigerator unpeeled for up to three days.
- To peel, gently tap the egg at the big end first, then the small end, then tap all around to gently crack the shell. Be amazed at how easy they peel.
Notes
Tips to prevent cracking:
- Tip to prevent cracking #1: Be sure to not crowd the pan. Your eggs need a little room to groove. They should not touch or be on top of each other. There needs to be enough room to allow a single layer of eggs in your pan while they cook. If they crack while cooking, it may be because they were too crowded.
- Tip to prevent cracking #2: Don't use super fresh eggs for your hard-boiled eggs. This is probably the only time in the kitchen that day-of fresh isn't best. Shells like to really stick to just-laid eggs. If you have your own chickens or buy directly from a farmer, use those eggs for a glorious scramble or poach 'em up. If you buy your eggs at the grocery store, they're already a few weeks old so they'll work great. In the US eggs are refrigerated because they are power-washed before packing. No need to bring them to room temp, you can use this method with eggs straight out of the refrigerator.
- Make sure you have a single layer of eggs in the pan. If you try to stack eggs or stuff more in the pan that fit, the water won't be hot enough to cook the eggs. I use a 2.5 quart pot for six eggs, which is about 6.5 inches in diameter.
- In my experience, making that tiny hole in the shell with a thumbtack actually does help—a little. If you don't have a thumbtack handy, you don't need to drive to the store to get one just to make easy-to-peel eggs. But, if you do have one, use a thumbtack to make a tiny whole at the top of the big end of the egg before boiling (gently press and it will go right through the shell). The shells will be that much easier to peel.
- Unpeeled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator up to 7 days. I suggest storing them in an airtight container to prevent odor in your refrigerator.
Keywords: hard boiled eggs, easy to peel eggs, best hard boiled eggs
Looking to use your beautifully peeled eggs? Try my Secretly Healthy Deviled Eggs
Click here to read the Secretly Healthy Deviled Eggs Recipe
What do you think? Have you tried this method or others? Let us know how they turn out in the comments below.
Susan Conley
I, too, followed this recipe to a T, but had a very difficult time with peeling the eggs.
★
www.fooddoz.com
It is a great recipe. Thanks alot!
Meg Agrella
I am 57 years old and for the first time in my life I have easy to peel eggs EVERY TIME! Thank you! We have chickens so LOTS of eggs! Note: store bought eggs can be months (not weeks) old so check the date, not the “use by” but the 3 digit DOY date (January 1st being number 1 and December 31st being number 365) located above/below the “best by” date. : )Thanks!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Rider
Glad to hear it, Meg! Thanks for leaving a comment to let us know 🙂
Christine Michels
I have been struggling lately with peeling hard boiled eggs and was actually starting the eggs in the cold water when I decided to look up what can you do to make it easier to peel hard boiled eggs. I took those eggs out of the water, tried this method, and what a relief! Those shells came right off.
Mary Jo
First time ever did I have eggs that peeled! We have chickens, so our eggs are really fresh. I followed the instructions and still got perfect eggs! I have tried everything to get my eggs to peel and this is the only thing that actually worked. Really enjoyed my egg salad sandwich.
★★★★★
Elizabeth Rider
Glad to hear it!
Jane M Kiser
Perfect
★★★★★
meg
I followed to a T but it did not work for me. The yolks were like jelly and they were impossible to peel.
★★
Kathy Cicciarelli
This was an epic fail. When I very carefully lowered the eggs into the boiling water, every single one of them cracked IMMEDIATELY. Common sense now tells me that the eggs MUST be at room temp. Cold eggs Hot water=cracked eggs.
Tony Wormer
This the correct way to hard boil eggs (13 minutes max)and not only get them to peel easily but also get beautiful yellow golden firm yokes without a dark ring around them. if your eggs are cracking as bad as you experienced get better eggs or not fresh eggs and don't boil your water as if it is an erupting volcano! Out of a dozen eggs I get at most two cracked, most of the time none. I landed on this method by lots of trial and error before I read Elizabeth's method and I heartily endorse her method.
★★★★★
GG
LIES, LIES, LIES!!! It is Christmas Day, No stores are open to buy more eggs. I am in charge of two dishes today and I have 7 acceptable eggs out of 16 for my deviled eggs. I had bought these a week ago to have older eggs. I didn't salt my water because you said it's no use. I usually hard boil them for 25 minutes and usually only have a couple unusable ones. Don't trust the internet, people. No Fail - Failure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jordan
Me too. Followed directions exactly...did not pin prick the ends before cooking, and I'm off to get another dozen eggs, and these will go in salads or egg salad....too ugly to serve. UGH!
Blaine C
Wow! So perfect, after years of mutilated egg whites and embarrassing deviled eggs, what an easy method to perfect peeling and beautiful showing of my deviled eggs. Thank you so much!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING ❤️