Get Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs every single time when you follow this easy recipe! You only need 15 minutes and a large pot to get the creamiest boiled eggs that are easy to peel and great for dying or making the best egg salad.

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Calling all egg lovers! We have all the tips and tricks for you to get Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs every single time you make them!
I know you can buy preboiled eggs at the store and while they may be uber-convenient, let's face it, they don't taste anywhere as good as a freshly hard boiled egg that you make at home.
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔︎ No more losing half of the egg white when you try to peel hard boiled eggs. These peel easily every.single.time.
✔︎ NO green yolks! This method will give you bright yellow yolks, not overcooked green yolks.
✔︎ You can control the doneness of the yolk. Cook them just the way you like them.
Ingredients
You only need eggs to make this easy recipe. Just be sure to purchase them a week before you want to make them.
Ingredient Notes:
Eggs: Any size eggs work here but you do need to buy your eggs in advance. Eggs that are one week to 10 days old peel more easily than fresh eggs.
Instructions
You can get perfect hard boiled eggs in less than 30 minutes.
Gently set the eggs in a single layer in the bottom of a large pan and fully immerse them in water. Bring the water to a boil, let it boil for 1 minute and then cover it and remove from the heat. Let it sit for exactly 12 minutes.
Immerse the eggs in an ice water bath and let them sit for 5 minutes. Dry the eggs thoroughly before peeling or coloring.
FAQs
Eggs that have been hard boiled will keep in the refrigerator for 10 days. Be sure to use a container with a tight seal to keep the eggs fresh and prevent the smell from getting in the fridge.
If you prefer a softer yolk, set your timer for 7 minutes after the water has started to boil. Skip the ice bath and eat them warm.
I love to use gel food coloring to dye eggs. Here's how to do it:
Mix 2-3 drops of gel food coloring and 2 tablespoons of vinegar in 1 cup of warm water. Add more gel food coloring as needed to get water to desired color.
Stir until thoroughly combined.
Place eggs in the mixture and let sit until the desired color is reached.
Place on a drying rack to let the color set.
Once eggs are dry, wipe them with a little canola oil to make eggs shiny and bright.
Expert Tips for Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
✘ Buy your eggs ahead of time. Eggs that are 7-10 days old are best for hard boiling. If you use fresh eggs, you will probably lose some of the egg white when you peel them.
✘ Place your eggs in the pan and pour the cold water over the top of them rather than add the eggs to boiling water. Cold eggs going into hot water will lead to broken shells.
✘ Roll your hard boiled eggs on a hard surface for easy peeling.
✘ Don't forget the vinegar when you dye your eggs. The acidity of the vinegar helps the dye stick to the shell.
✘ Stir the water well to mix the gel food coloring, vinegar and water. Some colors take a little longer to combine. A mini whisk is a great way to do this.
Substitutions and Shortcuts
▶︎ If you don't have gel food coloring, you can use liquid food coloring but the color will not be as vibrant.
▶︎ If you aren't coloring your eggs, use your favorite kind. I love to use Brown Pasture Raised Eggs to make the best deviled eggs year round.
▶︎ Use a food chopper to make the best egg salad! It's a great tool to chop eggs without it getting stuck in the tines of a fork.
More Great Egg Recipes
Check out all of our Tips & Tricks for the kitchen!
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Recipe
Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Ingredients
For Hard Boil Eggs:
- 1 dozen large eggs (7-10 days old for best results)
For Coloring Eggs:
- Food coloring gel
- Vinegar
- Canola Oil
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Instructions
To Hard Boil Eggs:
- Place eggs in a single layer in a large pan. Cover with enough cold water so water level is 1 inch above eggs and bring to a boil.1 dozen large eggs
- Cover the pot with a lid, turn down the heat, and simmer for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and set timer for 12 minutes.
- Immediately transfer eggs in a cold ice water bath to stop cooking. Let eggs sit in ice water for at least 5 minutes.
- Remove eggs from water bath and peel or refrigerate. Make sure eggs are thoroughly dry before coloring or eating.
To Color Eggs:
- In a deep bowl, mix together 3-4 drops of food coloring gel and 2 tablespoons vinegar in 1 cup warm water.Food coloring gel, Vinegar
- Add eggs to coloring liquid. Let eggs sit in the mixture until desired color is reached. Place on drying rack to let color set.
- Once eggs are dry, wipe with a little canola oil to make eggs shiny and bright. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 5 days.Canola Oil
Notes
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Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
Works perfectly! Thanks. I also like that this recipe uses less energy than leaving on the burner until the eggs are done. Here's to good food and the planet.
Thanks, Bob!