Learn How To Boil Eggs using our simple trick that makes a spot on boiled eggs every time. It comes in three variations for you to choose from – boiled, soft and medium boiled. Tried and tested!
Eggs have always been a breakfast staple around the world. It’s quick and easy to cook and it’ll keep you full for quite a long time.
But isn’t it frustrating when one bad boiled egg could ruin your entire morning? Forgive me if it was just me, but I’ve had been on grumpy mornings just because my boiled eggs weren’t perfectly peeled or the egg yolks aren’t the way I wanted it to be (no to gray-green ring, please). Call it OC-ness or what, but my breakfast experience should be as pleasant as possible so I can start my day right.
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to another day of learning some of the most basic kitchen skill that has left some of us scratching our head.
Let me show you how to make perfect boiled eggs in no time. These would be perfect not just for breakfast, but also as a side dish, appetizer, and snack. Ready to get cracking? Alright!
What Makes a Perfectly Boiled Egg?
While there is no imposed right or wrong answer to this question, most of us would agree that below are the characteristics of a spot-on boiled egg that is perfect at any time of the day.
A perfectly boiled egg …
- It shouldn’t have a rubbery egg white.
- It should peel off beautifully without damaging the egg white surface.
- Egg yolk must not have any gray-green rings.
- And lastly, it should be quick and easy. (Yep, this rings the loudest!)
How Long to Boil Eggs
For soft boiled egg it should cook in just 4-6 minutes depending on if you want a runny or very soft yolk.
As for medium or hard-boiled eggs, your timer should start after the egg came to a boil and you remove the pot from the heat. Leave it submerged in the water for 7-8 minutes for medium-boiled and 10-12 minutes for hard-boiled. Then after your timer goes off, place the eggs in an ice-water bath to stop the cooking process.
How To Peel Boiled Eggs
This has always been a tricky task for me until I found some tips and notes on how to peel eggs successfully every time. But please take note that even if the surface of the egg comes off, it is still completely edible; nothing changed, but only the appearance.
- Add a bit of vinegar to the water to make the shell softer and easier to peel.
- Some would even add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the water for it to peel off easily.
- Roll the boiled eggs on the counter for a couple of seconds before you start gently peeling them.
- Or crack them on a hard surface without peeling and place them under running water or soak them in a bowl of water and let the water penetrate under the shell and peel off.
How Long Do Boiled Eggs Last?
Once you figure out how to boil eggs perfectly, you’ll likely be adding it far more often in your menu. And with Easter just around the corner, I’m pretty sure you’ve also planned on how to dye your eggs.
But how long do boiled eggs really last?
When it comes to boiled eggs, it would only last about 2 hours outside the fridge. After that, they need to be discarded. But it’s a different story though when it comes to PEELED BOILED eggs. It should be consumed right away once they’re peeled.
Your best bet is to store unused boiled eggs (still in their shells) within 2 hours of cooking for up to 1 week in the fridge.
If you notice any rotten smell coming off the egg, you might want to toss it out as it’s already a bad egg.
Different Ways to Cook Eggs
We just love anything with EGGS! Aside from they being easy to prepare, you can just make about anything with eggs.
- fried egg
- poached
- scrambled
- deviled eggs
- omelet
- baked egg cups
- microwave egg in a cup
Which one is your favorite way of cooking eggs?
Recipes Using Boiled Eggs
Now that you know how to make boiled eggs without scratching your head (😅), you can move on to the next level and make use of them for these ones below:
- Pickled Eggs
- Baked Scotch Eggs
- Nicoise Salad
- Ham Salad
- Caribbean Potato Salad
- Deviled Eggs with Bacon and Jalapenos
More Egg Recipes to Explore
I hear ya! So here are just some of our favorite egg recipes that you’ll surely fall in love with. Let us know if we miss anything. Enjoy!
- Sausage Egg Casserole
- Chorizo and Eggs
- Egg Salad Sandwich
- Baked Plantain and Eggs
- Quiche Lorraine
- Shakshuka
How To Boil Eggs
Place eggs in an empty medium-sized pot. Do not overcrowd the pot, eggs should fit comfortably and not be on top of each other. Fill the pot with cold water 1” above the eggs so they are covered completely. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, cover the pot and remove it from heat. Do not lift the lid once covered until it is time to remove the eggs. This is when you begin your timer based on how you like your eggs cooked.
After your timer goes off, using a slotted spoon remove the eggs from the water and transfer them to the ice water bath.
This stops the cooking process and cools eggs, so they are easier to peel.
How To Boil Eggs
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Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 4 cups water (approximately)
Instructions
Soft Boiled
- Add 1-inch of water to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- When boiling, add eggs in a single layer making sure not to overcrowd.
- Boil for 6 minutes and transfer to ice bath using a slotted spoon.
For Medium or Hard-Boiled
- Place eggs in an empty medium-sized pot. Do not overcrowd the pot, eggs should fit comfortably and not be on top of each other.
- Fill the pot with cold water 1-inch above eggs so the eggs are covered completely.
- Bring to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, cover the pot and remove it from heat. Do not lift the lid once covered until it is time to remove the eggs. This is when you begin your timer based on how you like your eggs cooked. Refer to the time chart below.
- After your timer goes off, using a slotted spoon remove the eggs from the water and transfer to ice water bath. This stops the cooking process and cools eggs, so they are easier to peel.
Cooking Times
- Soft Boiled: 4-6 minutesMedium: 7-8 minutes Hard Boiled: 10- 12 minutes (leave in boiling water for 1 minute before covering and removing from heat)
Tips & Notes:
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Beryl Oginga says
Thanks for sharing.l must try it out
Stay blessed
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Let me know how it works out for you!
Norbert Voss says
Hi, Imma,
A couple of points: A splash of vinegar is a MUST, IMHO, not so much to make peeling easy. but so if the shell cracks during boiling, far less of the egg white escapes; To reduce shells cracking, use a so-called “egg picker” to insert a tiny hole in the shell before boiling. It sounds odd perhaps but it really helps.
On a separate note, your “Boiled Egg Time Chart” is inconsistent with the times given in the recipes.
Respectfully,
Norbert
AbbyD says
The Instant Pot is also a fabulous vehicle for making perfect hard boiled eggs. Just add 1 cup of water with a little salt to the bottom of the pot. Add a basket or rack and the eggs. Pressure cook for 5 minutes (a little less for medium eggs). Then do a quick release and immediately remove the eggs to a bowl of ice water until cool. The shells just slide off. Note: Using the Instant Pot is not really quicker, but for me, it is more reliable, especially in terms of having easy-off shells.
Thanks for your many suggestions, Imma…I learn from you regularly!
imma africanbites says
Thank you so much for sharing those tips. I truly appreciate it. Wishing you a lovely weekend!
Imma Adamu says
Absolutely you are welcome
Imma Adamu says
And I just learned from you. Guess what I am going to do next? 🙂
Kerry says
Trying this now thanks
imma africanbites says
Yes, please. Enjoy!