5 from 15 votes
How to Hard Boil an Egg
This method for hard boiling eggs uses steaming above boiling water rather than boiling eggs submerged, helping to separate the shell membrane for easier peeling. The eggs are cooked in a covered steamer basket for a precise 13 minutes, then cooled rapidly in an ice bath. The result is fully cooked eggs with firm whites and yolks that peel cleanly, suitable for snacks, salads, or meal prep.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
13 mins
Total Time
18 mins
Servings:
6
servings (1 egg each)
Calories:
63 kcal
Course:
Snacks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 6 egg see note 1
- water
Instructions
- Fill a medium saucepan with about 1 inch of water (about 2 cups) and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Place eggs in a steamer basket and lower into the saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 13 minutes.
- Set up an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water. When eggs are done, use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the eggs from the hot water and submerge them under the cold water to cool, about 5 minutes.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store unpeeled hard boiled eggs in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Use the ice bath promptly after cooking to stop heat and facilitate peeling.
- This recipe yields six eggs but can be doubled or tripled without adjusting cooking time.
- Adding eggs quickly to hot steam helps separate the egg white from the shell membrane, easing peeling.
- Unlike some myths, egg freshness does not guarantee peeling ease; cooking technique is more important.
- Hard boiled eggs made this way can be prepared in advance for convenience.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1egg
Calories
63kcal
(3%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Cholesterol
164mg
(55%)
Sodium
62mg
(3%)
Potassium
61mg
(1%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
238IU
(5%)
Calcium
25mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings (1 egg each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 63
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1egg | |
| Calories | 63kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 164mg | 55% |
| Sodium | 62mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 61mg | 1% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 238IU | 5% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.