There are so many techniques on how to boil eggs. Following this method yields a boiled egg that is easy to peel. This basic recipe let’s you choose if the eggs are boiled hard, soft, or somewhere in-between! Read on to learn how to boil eggs perfectly and easily every time!
I have a funny relationship with eggs. Since we’re being honest, my favorite way to eat eggs are in Chocolate Chip Cookies and Sweet Cream Blueberry Muffins.
A few times a year, I make deviled eggs. And for that, you need to boil eggs. When I first started cooking, I didn’t realize there was a difference between hard boiled and soft boiled. Imagine my surprise the first time my eggs were soft boiled!
How to Boil Eggs
What I’ve learned over the years, is that you need to cover your eggs with cold water, bring the water to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat and allow the eggs to finish cooking. This technique is perfect for making Easter eggs, egg salad, and deviled eggs.
6 large eggs, cold
Cold Water
Ice
Place eggs in a medium saucepan and fill with cold water to cover the eggs by an inch.
Bring water to a boil on high heat, uncovered.
As soon as the water is at a rolling boil, remove the from heat and cover.
Set your kitchen timer according to how soft or hard the eggs should be and leave the eggs in the pan until the timer sounds. No looking! Leave the eggs alone in the pan.
How long to let the eggs sit
For runny soft-boiled eggs, with barely set whites: 3 minutes
For slightly runny soft-boiled eggs: 4 minutes
For custardy yet firm soft-boiled eggs: 6 minutes
For firm yet still creamy hard-boiled eggs: 10 minutes
For very firm hard-boiled eggs: 15 minutes
Once the eggs have finished cooking, remove the cooked eggs from the pan using a slotted spoon. Tap each egg firmly on the countertop to crack the shell in a few places. (Skip this step if you plan to dye your eggs for Easter or if you’ve soft-boiled them with runny yolks!)
Place each egg in a bowl of ice water and let them sit for at least two minutes.
When ready to eat, peel the egg and enjoy!
Now that you can boil eggs, your family can enjoy hard boiled eggs for breakfast, delicious egg salad sandwiches and deviled eggs!