Hard boiled eggs
For a hard boiled egg with a yolk that's set all the way through but still tender, boil large eggs from the fridge for 10 to 12 minutes. 11 minutes is a good middle. Then chill them in ice water.
How to make hard boiled eggs
You need
- Large eggs, straight from the fridge
- Water, enough to cover the eggs by about an inch (2.5 cm)
- A bowl of ice water
Steps
- Bring the pot of water to a boil, then turn it down to a steady, gentle boil.
- Lower the eggs in one at a time with a spoon so they don't crack on the bottom.
- Boil for 10 to 12 minutes. Use the egg timer set to Hard.
- Lift the eggs into the ice water and leave them 10 to 15 minutes, until they're cold all the way through.
- Peel them, or dry them and put them in the fridge in their shells.
Tender or firm?
At 11 minutes the yolk is set right through but still a little moist and bright. Go to 13 minutes if you want it firmer and paler. A firm yolk crumbles and mashes easily, which suits deviled eggs and egg salad.
Much past that, the yolk turns dry and chalky and a grey-green ring shows up around it. It's safe to eat, it just doesn't look great. Here's why it happens.
Adjusting the time
- Room-temperature eggs: take off about 1 minute less.
- Medium eggs: about 1 minute less. Extra-large or jumbo: about 1 minute more.
- High altitude: add a little time and test one egg.
Prefer to start them in cold water? The times are different. See cold water vs boiling water.
Cooling and peeling
The ice bath matters more than people think. It stops the cooking, so a 11-minute egg doesn't keep going toward chalky, and the shell comes away more easily from a cold egg. Older eggs peel easier than very fresh ones. More tips in how to peel boiled eggs.
How long they keep
The FDA says to eat hard-cooked eggs within 1 week of cooking, in the shell or peeled. USDA says to get them in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. The details are on how long boiled eggs last.
Questions people ask
How long do you boil eggs for hard boiled eggs?
10 to 12 minutes for large eggs from the fridge, lowered into boiling water. 11 minutes gives a set but tender yolk. 13 minutes gives a firmer, paler yolk.
How can I tell if an egg is hard boiled without cracking it?
Spin it on the counter. A cooked egg spins fast and smoothly. A raw egg wobbles and slows down quickly because the liquid inside sloshes around.
Why is my hard boiled egg hard to peel?
Usually the eggs were very fresh, or they weren't chilled long enough. Older eggs, a start in boiling water and a full ice bath all help.
Can I make hard boiled eggs ahead?
Yes. Chill them, keep them in the fridge, and eat them within 1 week, which is the FDA's limit for hard-cooked eggs.