Name: Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 12 min
Ingredients: 12 large eggs; Water; 1 teaspoon baking soda ((Optional to make eggs peel easier))

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Learn how to make perfect Hard Boiled Eggs on the stovetop that are easy to peel and perfect for dying or eating! This foolproof method produces easy-peel firm whites and creamy yellow yolks.

Hard boiled egg halves on a black plate with a carton of brown eggs behind.

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Hard boiled eggs are eggs that are boiled until firm and cooked all the way through, producing solid, cooked yolks (as opposed to soft boiled eggs where the yolks are still soft and runny).

This foolproof method of hard boiling eggs is easy and effective (and so is this favorite instant pot version). Adding the eggs to the cold water before bringing to a boil allows the egg to come to temperature more slowly, preventing breaking from sudden temperature change, and turning the heat off to allow them to finish cooking prevents over-cooking. Making these truly the PERFECT hard boiled eggs!

How Many Minutes Should I Boil My Eggs?

You don't actually need to actively boil your eggs for more than a few seconds. After that, you'll just cover the pot and allow to cook in the very hot water for about 12 minutes.

This method prevents over-cooking and keeps the eggs from cracking during cooking.

An overhead of a ceramic pot with 18 eggs, half white and half brown, covered with water with 2 cartons of eggs behind and a linen napkin next to the pot.

Why Does My Yolk Have a Green Circle Around It?

This is because the egg is overcooked. You can still use the egg. It's just a little less pretty. To prevent this, shock the eggs after boiling by placing them into cold ice water, as directed in the recipe.

Why Doesn't My Hard Boiled Egg Peel Smoothly?

This can happen due to several different factors. One of the most notable is the age of the egg. Fresher eggs are more difficult to peel, while older eggs are easier. I know this seems counter-intuitive, but it actually has to do with the pH level of fresh egg whites, which changes as the egg ages.

Try These Tricks for Easy Egg Peeling

Place the eggs in an ice bath and then gently tap the egg to crack the shell all around. Peel the egg under running cold water, allowing the water to slip between the egg white and the membrane of the shell. This will help release the two, making it easier to peel.

You can also add 1 teaspoon baking soda to the water while you boil them. This will ensure a beautiful clean peel every time.

A hard boiled egg cut in half on the left and an egg half-peeled on the right with a linen napkin behind

How Can I Use Hard Boiled Eggs?

Hard boiled eggs are nutritious as the main element of the meal or as a

Enjoy them as a healthy protein-packed snack, as a salad topping, or try them in these recipes:

Southern Deviled Eggs - a classic appetizer or snack recipe with a creamy, tangy filling inside of a cooked egg white.
Egg Salad - chopped hard boiled eggs in a creamy, tangy, fresh salad. Great on bread or toast, crackers, or wraps.
Deviled Egg Potato Salad - a combination of two picnic favorites: potato salad and deviled eggs. It's simple, creamy, tangy and delicious!
Avocado Deviled Eggs - deviled eggs made with avocado instead of mayo for a healthy fat and fiber packed version.
Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs - classic pimento cheese is homemade as the filling to these savory comforting deviled eggs.