DIY Food
How to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs Perfectly, Every Single Time
No cracks, no dents—deviled eggs never looked better.
Photo by Mark Weinberg

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233 Comments
Beth
April 20, 2022
This isn't about peeling eggs, but about an amazing trick my daughter did with coloring Easter eggs. She hardboiled them, peeled and cut them in half, popped out the yolk. Then mixed up some water and food coloring, several blue, pink and green, and dropped in the whites. After a few minutes, they were dyed several different beautiful shades. Then she made deviled eggs -- what a gorgeous presentation!
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April 20, 2022
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deb
April 6, 2022
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mary
April 4, 2022
Or, just use a small, thin spoon to remove the shells from the egg; just slip it inside the shell and spin it around the egg and the shell comes right off. Fast, simple.
Foodie
April 4, 2022
I've read literally dozens of articles about boiling eggs--either hard or soft but NO ONE EVER SAYS WHETHER you need to start with eggs right out of the refrigerator or at room temperature, which surely affects the cooking time. Does anyone know?
Robyn
April 4, 2022
Always straight out of the fridge. Place in a pot of boiling water, carefully. Simmer for 12 minutes for hard boiled. Then with a slotted spoon, place eggs in an ice bath for about 7 minutes. Crack & peel under running water.
Kathy S.
April 4, 2022
I once used hot water from cooking pasta to boil eggs and discovered that even farm fresh eggs peel easily with this method. Just heat the water until close to simmering and drop the eggs in, you will be amazed at how easily they peel
Patricia
April 4, 2022
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April 4, 2022
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April 4, 2022
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Beth
April 3, 2022
My husband gave me one of those microwave egg cookers for Christmas, and it works perfectly. Only cooks up to 4 eggs at a time though, so not good for a large plate of deviled eggs. It's basically the steamer method, just a little water in the bottom, microwave on high for 10 minutes, let sit for 10 more, then open and cool with ice water. Saves heating up the stove or any other appliance.
isw
April 3, 2022
To whoever wrote your e-mail teaser: it's "die" (as in "dice"); not dye (as in Easter egg).
Lissi
April 3, 2022
I believe that the die is cast, while the dye is set. (Yes, the common idiom suggests that the die has been cast, but, Easter is coming soon, and we do dye eggs.)
Julia P.
April 4, 2022
I was just about to write the same thing, Lissi! Yes, I believe the email teaser was referring to coloring or dyeing eggs.
gpark
April 3, 2022
So many comments. All proposing a different method. None based on science. Certainly the article has no science in it. I tried many methods over time. The only that results in cleanly peeled eggs is the steaming method - steamer basket over boiling water for 13-14 minutes (depending on room or refrigerator storage) for well done yolks. Pop them in ice water until cool enough to hold. Smash against the side of the sink and peel. The temptation is to peel them still too warm or too big of pieces of shell (tears the whites). In my experience, those are the only reasons to have hard to peel eggs.
kdenton
April 3, 2022
I find steamed eggs peel perfectly every time. Fit a steamer basket over a small amount of water. Add 6 or so eggs in basket (depends on size of basket). Heat water. When steam appears, put the lid on and lower heat so water is simmering. After 10-15 minutes (depends on number of eggs), remove eggs and put into a icy cold bath. Peels slide off after about 15 minutes.
Nancy H.
April 3, 2022
I follow NYT advice: steam (for my taste 11 minutes), take out and let come to room temp and then peel. Absolutely NO need for the ice bath if you have the time for them to come to room temp naturally. Has worked every single time since doing this way.
funnyvalentine
April 3, 2022
I always use my instant pot for boiled eggs. It's easy; five minutes under high pressure, five minutes of releasing, into cold water for five minutes.
The shells slip off.
The shells slip off.
orit R.
April 3, 2022
Air-fry at 270F 12-15 minutes depending how hard/soft you want it. Best method when you need to make lots of them for Passover or Easter. They peel easier when cook that way but you can still use the water method (definitely to cool them down) LOVE MY AIR-FRYER….
ustabahippie
April 3, 2022
Oh dear. Now I must buy another appliance to peel eggs? Thanks for the suggestion tho.
ustabahippie
April 3, 2022
I wish there were a way to peel eggs without using water. I’m in a serious drought in CA.
Beth
April 3, 2022
You can, just let them come to room temp after boiling/steaming, then crack all over. You may have to pick off a few pieces of shell, and they may not be as pretty as if the shell came off easily, but they taste just as good.
Foodie
April 4, 2022
Exactly what I was thinking (OR). But I do use gray kitchen water for outdoor plants and am waiting for OR legislation to allow gray water use from laundry and dishwasher.
khouria1130
April 5, 2022
If you have an Insta pot it uses so much less water than the boiling method! And the shells peel off so easily 😊
Karen
April 3, 2022
I steam the eggs in a tall 6” pot.
Put cold water under steamer and place eggs in basket.
Bring water to a boil on high.
When simmering reduce temperature to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
At this point eggs will be jammy.
For more done eggs remove pot from heat and let sit for a few minutes.
When ready run water over eggs so you can touch them.
Peel and enjoy.
The entire process takes less than 10 minutes.
Put cold water under steamer and place eggs in basket.
Bring water to a boil on high.
When simmering reduce temperature to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
At this point eggs will be jammy.
For more done eggs remove pot from heat and let sit for a few minutes.
When ready run water over eggs so you can touch them.
Peel and enjoy.
The entire process takes less than 10 minutes.
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