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Hard boiled egg on a plate.

How to Hard Boil Eggs

This easy method makes perfect hard boiled eggs every time. Remember to cover the pot and start your timer as soon as the water comes to a boil.
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings 12 eggs
Calories 78 kcal

Ingredients

  • up to 12 eggs

Instructions

  1. Fill a pot with cool water. Gently place eggs into the pot in a single layer. The water should cover the eggs by about an inch.
    Four hard boiled eggs in a small green pot.
  2. Bring the water to a full boil over high heat.
  3. As soon as the water reaches a boil, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and remove the pan from the heat.

  4. Allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. (See note below.) Use a timer. The eggs can overcook if they sit in the hot water for too long.

  5. After the cooking time is complete, remove the eggs and place them in a water bath to cool.
    Placing a hard boiled egg in an ice bath.
  6. Once cool, peel the eggs right away or store them unpeeled in the refrigerator for up to seven days

Recipe Notes

Cook as many eggs as you need. Always keep the eggs in a single layer in the pot. 

Hard Boiled Egg Cook Times

  • 10 Minutes. Mostly firm yolk. The center of the yolk has a little softness and the color tends to be dark yellow. Very tender egg white.

  • 11 Minutes. Firm fully cooked yolk. Even yellow color. Firm egg white. This is my preferred cook time.

  • 12 Minutes. Yolk is almost dry and pastel yellow in color. The egg white is very firm. but not rubbery.