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Perfect Easy-to-Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs

4.2(70)

This easy-to-peel hard-boiled egg post is a #1 Google search result for a reason--it works! Read the recipe notes below to prevent your eggs from cracking. If you love this recipe, give it a 5-star rating in the comments below to help other readers. One reader recently commented, "I deployed your method just yesterday and the results were stunning! Not only did the shells just “slide” away – the eggs were gorgeous."

by Elizabeth Rider·published 2025-03-09

Open original recipe

Breakfast

Servings

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varies

Total time

30 min

prep 5 min

Calories / serving

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Ingredients (1)

Eggs (obviously!)(Super fresh eggs crack easily, so try to use “older” but not bad eggs. Read the notes below.)egg

Instructions (8 steps)

01Bring a pot of water to a full boil. Use an appropriate-sized pot that will fit your eggs. I use a 2.5-quart pot for six eggs.
02If using, use a thumbtack to make a tiny hole at the top of the big end of the eggs. (See note.)
03Gently lower the eggs into boiling water. A fine mesh strainer or spider-skimmer work well for this. (Tip from a reader comment: “I took my boiling water off the burner and let it settle a moment and then gently lowered my eggs. Worked great! I had several broken eggs on my first batch when I put the eggs in while the water was at a rolling boil. Hope this helps someone because this recipe is a game-changer!”)
04Once the eggs are in, keep the burner on high for 30 seconds (so long as the eggs aren’t knocking together), then turn the burner to the lowest setting for a very gentle (not rolling) simmer. Cover the pan with a lid and wait 13 minutes.
05Put the eggs in an ice bath. You can do this by filling a separate bowl with water and ice, and transfer the eggs, or, gently pour the water out of the pan without cracking the eggs, then fill the pan with cold water and ice. The first way, with the bowl, is easiest to prevent accidentally cracking your eggs while they are hot.