How Long to Boil Eggs for Hard Boiled?

Timing chart (large eggs lowered into already-boiling water):

Add about 1 minute for extra-large or fridge-cold eggs, and subtract about 1 minute at high altitude.

The method that works most reliably

1. Bring a saucepan of water to a rolling boil — enough to cover the eggs by an inch.
2. Lower the eggs in gently with a slotted spoon so they don't crack on the bottom.
3. Reduce to a steady simmer and start your timer.
4. Prepare a bowl of ice water while they cook.
5. When the timer goes, move the eggs immediately into the ice water for at least 5 minutes.

Why start with boiling water rather than cold? Starting eggs in cold water and bringing it up to the boil is the older method, but the timing then depends on your pan, your hob, and how much water you used. Lowering eggs into water that's already boiling makes the cook time repeatable, and it makes them noticeably easier to peel.

The ice bath isn't optional. It stops the cooking instantly, which prevents the grey-green ring around the yolk, and it makes the egg contract slightly away from the shell, which is most of the peeling battle.

How to boil eggs so they peel easily

• Use older eggs. Very fresh eggs are notoriously hard to peel — the membrane clings to the white. Eggs a week or two old peel far better, which is why the supermarket carton often beats the farm-fresh dozen.
• Start in boiling water, not cold.
• Shock in ice water and leave for at least 5 minutes.
• Crack and roll. Tap the fat end first (the air pocket is there), roll the egg gently to craze the whole shell, then peel from the fat end.
• Peel under running water, which gets between the membrane and the white.
• Steaming instead of boiling — 12–13 minutes in a steamer basket — peels even more reliably.

How long to boil eggs for deviled eggs: 11 to 12 minutes. You want the yolk fully firm so it mashes to a smooth paste without any wet centre, but not so long that it turns grey. Cool completely before halving, and use a wet knife for clean cuts.

Other methods

• Air fryer: 250°F (120°C) for 15–16 minutes, then ice water. No water needed and the shells come off cleanly.
• Instant Pot: the 5-5-5 rule — 5 minutes high pressure, 5 minutes natural release, 5 minutes in ice water.
• Microwave: don't boil eggs in the shell in a microwave. Steam builds up inside and they can explode, sometimes after you take them out. If you want microwave eggs, crack them into water in a bowl first.

Storage: hard-boiled eggs keep 1 week in the fridge, and they last longer unpeeled than peeled. Peeled eggs should be kept in a covered container, ideally in a little water, and eaten within a couple of days. Don't leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

How to tell if an egg is already hard-boiled: spin it on the counter. A hard-boiled egg spins fast and smoothly; a raw one wobbles and stops quickly, because the liquid inside is still sloshing.

Two similar answers: How Long to Boil Green Beans? and How Long to Cook a Spiral Ham?.

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