How To Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs

I remember when I first started trying to make hard-boiled eggs. It was a struggle for a long time until I figured out my foolproof method for easy-peel hard-boiled eggs. With my method and the tricks I learned along the way, there were no more stuck-on shells, broken egg whites, or overcooked yolks. I truly have cracked the code on how to make hard-boiled eggs perfectly every single time!

Egg Quality Matters

Choosing quality eggs is key to making the best hard-boiled eggs. Fresher eggs (ideally 7-10 days old) can contribute to making peeling easier, while older eggs will start to lose their integrity and freshness. Farm-fresh eggs tend to have better flavor and richer yolks, but store-bought eggs are a convenient and reliable option. With store-bought eggs, I just always make sure to look for ones labeled free-range, cage-free, or organic. I also tend to consider ethical labels (e.g. American Humane Certified) for both quality and animal welfare. 

Equipment Needed

• Pot – I use a 2-quart large pot. It’s great for boiling up to 12 eggs, so I can make a lot at once if I need eggs for recipes or meal prep.
• Medium bowl – This is used for the ice water bath. 
• Slotted spoon – I use this to lift the eggs in and out of the boiling water.
• Ice – This is key for making the ice water bath to plunge the cooked eggs into (this stops the cooking process).

Making Them At A High-Altitude

Some members of my work family live in Colorado at an elevation of 5,500 feet. So when they want to follow my recipe, they simply increase the boiling time by 10% to 15%. To break this down better, I would boil the eggs at 13 1/2 minutes (which is 12 minutes + 10% to 15%) instead of the suggested 10-12 minutes in the recipe. This allows for the yolks to be fully cooked at high-altitude levels.

If The Eggshells Keep On Sticking 

There are several reasons why boiled eggs may stick to the shell so stubbornly:

• The eggs are placed in cold water. This can cause the protein in the egg whites to stick to the shells more. Make sure the water comes to a boil before adding the eggs. 
• The eggs have been undercooked. This will cause the eggs to have a higher acidity and more likely to stick to the shell. Be sure to follow the exact cooking time so that the eggs are not overcooked or undercooked.
• The eggs are too fresh. Fresh eggs have higher acidity than older eggs, which means there is less space between the egg membrane and the shell. Buy fresh eggs, but let them sit in your refrigerator for 5 to 10 days before boiling. After several days, the contents of the egg will shrink a bit due to moisture loss and some air coming into the egg. This creates a larger air cavity at the large end of the eggs, which will make peeling easier. Alternatively, several weeks-old eggs will start to lose their integrity and freshness.
• The ice water bath is skipped. This will cause the eggs to continue to cook – even after being removed from the water – which will make them harder to peel cleanly. Remember to plunge the cooked eggs into a large bowl of ice water immediately after removing them from the boiling water.

How Long Boiled Eggs Last

I either use the eggs immediately in recipes or store them (peeled or unpeeled) in the fridge. I store my eggs in an airtight meal prep container in the fridge. If they’re unpeeled, they’ll last for 1 week, and if they’re peeled or used in recipes, they’ll last about 3-4 days. 

How To Eat And Serve 

I often make hard-boiled eggs to have on hand for easy meals and snacks. They’re a simple, whole food, low-cost, and protein-rich option. I like to eat them with a dash of salt, pepper, and hot sauce. I’ll also add them to lettuce wraps or a protein plate, and use them to make a fantastic egg salad sandwich or a variety of delicious egg salads. They’re perfect to eat straight after they’re cooked and peeled, but I also love them for meal prep, as they can be eaten or incorporated into meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

How to make easy peel hard boiled eggs at high altitude

Some members of our team live in Colorado, at an elevation of 5,500 feet, so we know a thing or two about how to hard boil eggs at high altitudes. Use our foolproof method and simply increase the boiling time by 10% to 15%. So, if you want your yolks fully cooked, boil the eggs for 13 1/2 minutes (which is 12 minutes + 10% to 15%).

---

For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!