Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs

Featured in: Snackable Bites

Hard-boiling eggs to perfection ensures tender whites and creamy yolks, ideal for various dishes. Begin by placing eggs in cold water with a pinch of salt to prevent cracking. Bring to a rolling boil, then remove from heat and cover, allowing eggs to rest for 10-12 minutes depending on desired yolk texture. Transfer eggs to an ice bath to cool and stop cooking, making peeling easier. Slightly older eggs peel best. Store cooled eggs refrigerated for up to one week.

Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 08:30:00 GMT
Perfect hard-boiled eggs with bright yellow yolks, ready to enjoy as a protein-packed snack. Save
Perfect hard-boiled eggs with bright yellow yolks, ready to enjoy as a protein-packed snack. | sonicpantry.com

Achieve flawlessly cooked hard-boiled eggs with tender whites and creamy yolks—ideal for snacks, salads, or sandwiches.

This method has been my go-to for years because it guarantees the exact texture I want in my eggs.

Ingredients

  • Eggs: 6 large eggs
  • Water & Seasoning: Cold water, enough to cover eggs by 1 inch
  • Water & Seasoning: 1 teaspoon salt (optional, helps prevent cracking)

Instructions

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Step 1:
Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover eggs by at least 1 inch.
Step 2:
(Optional) Add salt to the water to help prevent cracking and make peeling easier.
Step 3:
Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil.
Step 4:
Once boiling, immediately cover the pan with a lid and remove it from the heat.
Step 5:
Let the eggs sit, covered, for exactly 10–12 minutes (10 minutes for slightly creamy centers, 12 minutes for fully set yolks).
Step 6:
While the eggs are resting, prepare a large bowl of ice water.
Step 7:
After the resting time, transfer the eggs to the ice water bath using a slotted spoon. Cool for at least 5 minutes.
Step 8:
Gently crack and peel the eggs under running cold water for the easiest peeling.
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Rinse produce, clean cookware, and fill pots smoothly with flexible spray options for everyday cooking.
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Rinse produce, clean cookware, and fill pots smoothly with flexible spray options for everyday cooking.
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Close-up of perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs, showing creamy, golden yolks for breakfast. Pin it
Close-up of perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs, showing creamy, golden yolks for breakfast. | sonicpantry.com

My family loves these eggs as a quick snack or chopped into salads for lunch together.

Required Tools

Saucepan with lid, slotted spoon, large bowl, and timer are needed to ensure perfect results.

Allergen Information

Contains eggs. Individuals with egg allergies should avoid this recipe.

Nutritional Information

Each egg contains approximately 70 calories, 5 g of fat, 1 g of carbohydrates, and 6 g of protein.

Gently cracked perfect hard-boiled eggs in hand, illustrating easy peeling for salads or snacks. Pin it
Gently cracked perfect hard-boiled eggs in hand, illustrating easy peeling for salads or snacks. | sonicpantry.com
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Follow these steps for perfect eggs every time and enjoy a versatile, healthy addition to your meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I achieve creamy yolks in hard-boiled eggs?

Cook eggs by boiling water, then remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes. This resting method yields tender whites and slightly creamy yolks.

What helps prevent eggs from cracking during boiling?

Adding a teaspoon of salt to the water helps prevent cracking and makes peeling easier.

How long should eggs be cooled after boiling?

Place eggs in an ice water bath for at least 5 minutes to stop cooking and facilitate peeling.

Are fresh eggs better for boiling?

Eggs that are 7–10 days old peel more easily after boiling compared to very fresh eggs.

How long can hard-boiled eggs be stored?

Keep boiled eggs, peeled or unpeeled, refrigerated for up to one week for best quality.

Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs

Achieve tender whites and creamy yolks with perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs for versatile use.

Prep Time
2 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
12 Minutes

Category: Snackable Bites

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: International

Yield: 6 servings

Dietary: Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

Eggs

01 6 large eggs

Water & Seasoning

01 Cold water to cover eggs by 1 inch (2.54 cm)
02 1 teaspoon salt (optional)

Instructions

Step 01

Arrange eggs in saucepan: Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan and add enough cold water to cover them by at least 1 inch.

Step 02

Add optional salt: Optionally add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water to help prevent cracking and facilitate peeling.

Step 03

Heat water to boiling: Set the pan over medium-high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil.

Step 04

Remove from heat and cover: Immediately cover the saucepan with a lid and remove it from the heat once boiling.

Step 05

Let eggs rest: Allow the eggs to sit covered for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on desired yolk texture (10 minutes for creamy, 12 minutes for fully set).

Step 06

Prepare ice bath: Fill a large bowl with ice water in preparation for cooling the eggs.

Step 07

Cool eggs in ice bath: Transfer eggs to the ice water bath using a slotted spoon and cool for at least 5 minutes.

Step 08

Peel eggs: Gently crack and peel the eggs under running cold water for easier shell removal.

Tools You'll Need

  • Saucepan with lid
  • Slotted spoon
  • Large bowl
  • Timer

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains eggs; not suitable for individuals with egg allergies.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 70
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g