Make perfect hard-boiled eggs every time that are easy to peel and cooked just right! Great to have on hand for healthy snacks or quick lunches.
Happy to be sharing my recipe for hard-boiled eggs today! It’s not so much a recipe as it is a method to get easy to peel, never fail, always perfect, hard-boiled eggs! Whether you’re dying eggs for Easter, making egg salad or making a few protein snack boxes, you need perfect hard-boiled eggs and this is just the ticket.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
Cooking a hard-boiled egg to perfection is kind of tricky because there are so many variables. How cold the water is, to begin with, how cold the eggs are right out of the fridge, how long to boil them for, how long it takes to bring the eggs to a boil, whether you use an electric cooktop or gas stove, whether you submerge in cold water or ice water, etc. etc.
Of course, I’ve been cooking eggs for years but my results have always been inconsistent. Just because I can cook them 8 minutes on my stove with great results doesn’t mean I can cook them on my mother’s stove with the same results. Rage.
Eggs to me were just super annoying to deal with because I could never get them right every time. SO! The only reason why I’m posting a simple recipe for hard-boiled eggs is that I figured out the formula! I’ve tried cooking these eggs 6 times, ya’ll!! And they came out perfectly every time. Easy to peel with that quintessential bright yellow yolk.
What’s my secret?
I steam them in my electric pressure cooker! The pressure cooker works by bringing everything up to a steady temperature together, holding all ingredients (in our case, eggs, and water) at said temperature for 4 minutes and then slowly releasing that pressure for 5 minutes before removing the eggs and shocking them in a water bath. This method works perfectly for everyone who tries it because the pressure cooker removes all the variables I listed above that could potentially keep you from achieving success. And that’s why I’m sharing this with you today.
My husband loves having hard-boiled eggs on hand for quick and healthy snacks and my kids love love love them too. We have started buying our eggs in bulk and I try to make a dozen or two hard-boiled each week because we will go through them quickly. And they make a great healthy egg salad!
What if I don’t have a pressure cooker?
Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
- Pour 2 cups of cold water into the bottom of a cold pressure cooker and place the steaming rack into water. The rack should stand just above the water, so no eggs ever come in contact with it. Place the eggs onto the rack, creating an even layer across the bottom. (You don’t want them to be stacked on top of each other.)
- Close the lid and lock. Ensure the valve is sealed. Press the “Steam” function and “High” pressure. Adjust cook time to 4 minutes and press “Start”.
- After 4 minutes have passed, wait another 5 minutes before releasing pressure completely. Remove lid and transfer eggs to an ice water bath. Cool until they are easily handled.
- Gently crack the shell all the way around and peel away using the side of your thumb. (It should come off in big pieces.) Rinse under cold water and place onto dry paper towels until all eggs are peeled.
- Use as desired.
How to Hard Boil Eggs
- Place eggs in a single layer in the bottom of a pot.
- Cover completely with cold water. Cover and place on stove.
- Bring to a rolling boil gently over medium to medium-high heat.
- Turn burner off and let eggs sit in hot water for 12 minutes. (If using an electric stove, remove from burner. Not necessary if using a gas burner.)
- Remove eggs from hot water and immerse in a large bowl of ice water for 5 minutes or until easy to handle.
- Crack shell gently around the entire egg and using the side of your thumb, peel shell off. (It should remove easily as long as you get underneath the membrane just under the shell.)
- Use as desired.
What if my eggs are hard to peel?
I think we have all had those terrible, hard-to-peel hard-boiled eggs a time or two before. From what I can tell, this happens because the eggs you are using are fresh. So, use eggs that are a few weeks old for best results.
How long do Hard Boiled Eggs Last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, hard-boiled eggs can last up to 5 days.
What can I make with Hard-Boiled Eggs?
Oh, so many things! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Classic Deviled Eggs
- California Cobb Salad
- Healthier Egg Salad
- Buffalo Blue Cheese Deviled Eggs
- Ham & Cheese Melt Deviled Eggs
Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
- 1 dozen large eggs
- 2 cups cold water
Instructions
Instant Pot Directions
- Pour 2 cups of cold water into the bottom of a cold pressure cooker and place the steaming rack into water. The rack should stand just above the water, so no eggs ever come in contact with it. Place the eggs onto the rack, creating an even layer across the bottom. (You don't want them to be stacked on top of each other.)
- Close the lid and lock. Ensure the valve is sealed. Press "Steam" function and "High" pressure. Adjust cook time to 4 minutes and press "Start".
- After 4 minutes have passed, wait another 5 minutes before releasing pressure completely. Remove lid and transfer eggs to an ice water bath. Cool until they are easily handled.
- Gently crack shell all the way around and peel away using the side of your thumb. (It should come off in big pieces.) Rinse under cold water and place onto dry paper towels until all eggs are peeled.
Stovetop Directions
- Place eggs in a single layer in the bottom of a pot. Cover completely with cold water. Cover with lid and place on stove.
- Bring to a rolling boil gently over medium to medium high heat. Turn burner off and let eggs sit in hot water for 12 minutes. (If using an electric stove, remove from burner. Not necessary if using a gas burner.)
- Remove eggs from hot water and immerse in a large bowl of ice water for 5 minutes or until easy to handle. Crack shell gently around entire egg and using the side of your thumb, peel shell off. (It should remove easily as long as you get underneath the membrane just under the shell.) Use as desired.
Jackie says
My pressure cooker does not have a steaming rack. Any suggestions on how to do this method without one?
Analida's Ethnic Spoon says
These look great! Getting eggy water all over my hands always keeps me from making hard boiled eggs. This method skips the hassle.
Zach says
I just started using my Instant Pot so this will come in handy, especially for making Deviled Eggs at the last minute. So, thank you for the tutorial.
Also, this is the first video of yours I have seen and for some reason I thought your voice would be higher in pitch. I have no idea why. 🙂
Ranjini Pillai says
Discovered this rick last summer!Wonderful,isn’t it?Taught it to my son -the younger one ,who loves eggs!Thanks for publishing it!
Hannah H. says
I always do mine in the Instant Pot now, too! Probably about the same total time, but soooo much less maintenance!
Cheryl Francis says
How like no for soft boiled?
Betty J Singleton says
Super! Could not believe it…so had to try it! Shells come off so easily and they are cooked perfectly! Thanks!
Beth G says
Actually, I’ve been doing this for over a year or so now. You can stack eggs, fit in as many as you want/ can. Only need about 1 cup of water… then keep the same settings or 5-5-5…. 5 high pressure, 5 hold, 5 Ice bath. My 14 yr old has been doing these as well… he loves egg salad. If that is your goal, make it a bit easier on yourself, crack all the eggs into a pot-safe bowl/ container (I use a silicone loaf pan). Add your 1 cup water, rack, pan… 4 min high, 5 wait, and then ice bath the bottom of the pan. You then can chop them up. Or use a cookie cooling rack (one with a grid pattern) just push the eggs through the grate into a bowl below for quick chopped eggs. Have fun with your electric pressure cooker, my favorite items in my kitchen, I have a small 4qt for sides and veggies and a large 8 qt for anything else.
Stephanie E says
When people ask me about my electric pressure cooker I always include how easily hard boiled eggs peel when done in the pressure cooker. Love that it finally takes the guess work out of cooking them!
Susan says
You can do this on the stove top if you don’t have a pressure cooker. You will need a pot, a steamer basket that will fit in the pot, but not touch the water, and a lid to cover the pot. Put an inch or two of water in the pot and bring to a boil. Put the eggs in the steamer basket and place in pot making sure the bottom of the basket is above the water. Place the lid on top and let steam for 13 minutes. Remove from heat and using tongs, place eggs in a bowl of iced water. After about five minutes, remove each egg and crack in several places and put back into the iced water. The water must stay ice cold so keep adding ice if necessary until the eggs are cooled. Then peel and enjoy.
Jackie Colette says
My pressure cooker does not have a cooking rack. Any suggestions on how to use this method without one?
Peggy says
I just lay a dozen on the rack that came with my instapot voila so easy
Monica says
My husband and I like to eat hard boiled eggs during the week. I remember you blogging about this and searched it yesterday to forward to a friend as we both just bought Instant Pots over the weekend. I receive mine tomorrow and I’m beyond excited to try so many delicious recipes I see everyone posting; especially making hard boiled eggs! Thanks for this post, and the video!!
Brenda Brown says
I’ll never boil hard boiled eggs again! Thanks for this trick. It’s the simplest way to get perfect eggs!
Courtney Cook says
This technique is perfect! At 32 I’ve finally mastered hard boiled eggs. Thank you so much 🙂
Mary Conaway says
I consider myself a good cook who has always been hard boiled egg challenged! I think eggs are one of the healthiest foods!
Thank you for the great easy to follow recipe, I look forward to finally being able to make great hard boiled Eggs!
Jill Hershey says
This post has made me want to buy an Instant Pot–if for no other reason than to make perfect hard-cooked eggs! I never got consistent results in the past when I made them and I was never sure why.
Thanks for figuring it out and sharing it with us!
Kathy Bruner says
Hi Lauren! Can you please share a link to the pressure cooker (or the name and size) you used in making your hard boiled eggs? I really like the rack in it. Many thanks!
Lauren says
I have a Crock-Pot Pressure Cooker. This is the cheapest one I found: http://shopstyle.it/l/Avnt
Kendra says
This has been a savior for me! They come out great every time!
Lyndsey says
I make this hard boiled eggs recipe in my Instant Pot all the time. It’s perfect. 👌🏼
Andrea says
Perfect!!!!!!! I always crack my eggs using the 5-5-5 but doing it at 4 was amazing!!!! Thank you!