Making a hard-boiled egg may seem simple, but there’s way more to the process than just dropping an egg into a pot of boiling water. Here are five simple steps to end up with an egg that’s been boiled just right.
1. Don’t Use Fresh Eggs
This may sound counterintuitive, but science has shown that as eggs age, they become easier to peel. So save your fresh eggs for frying and other cooking methods, and reserve the ones that are a few days old for boiling.
2. Poke a Tiny Hole into The Bottom of Your Eggs Before Boiling Them
You’ll want to use something sharp and thin to poke your egg, like a thumbtack, needle, or cake tester. This will ensure that you don’t poke a hole that’s too big and crack the shell, or end up with the whites spewing out once you start boiling the egg.
Poke your hole in the wider end of the egg (the bottom). Just like step one, this will help your egg separate more easily from its shell when you’re feeling it.
3. Make Sure to Be Careful When Placing Your Eggs into Boiling Water
If you simply drop your egg into a pot of boiling water, you run the risk of having the egg hit the bottom of the pot and cracking. Instead, place your egg on a large spoon (or in between tongs), and lower it into the boiling water gradually.
4. Invest in an Egg Timer
It’s hard to know exactly how much time to let your egg boil in order to have it reach your desired doneness. So take your guessing out of the equation, and buy an egg timer. You can just place it in the water with your boiling eggs, and the timer will change color to show you when the egg is soft, medium, or hard.
5. Run your Boiled Eggs Under Cold Water Before Peeling Them
If you’re in a rush and need your egg right away, run it under some cold tap water and then peel away. But if you have more time to spare, let your boiled egg sit in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes before peeling it. Both of these methods will ensure that the shell of your egg comes off more easily — especially the ice water method.
Things You Need To Know Before Making A Hard-Boiled Egg
How Much Time Does it Take to Boil an Egg?
Place eggs in a large saucepan. Cover them with cool water by 1 inch. Cover the pan with a lid and bring water to a rolling boil over high heat; when the water has reached a boil, set the timer for the desired time. Boil for 6 – 7 minutes over medium-high heat for perfect hard-boiled eggs.
Which is The Bottom of An Egg?
The fat end of an egg is the site of a small air pocket between the membranes that line the shell. Storing an egg on its narrow end keeps the yolk centered and the air sac intact, perfect egg equilibrium, which helps it stay fresh.
Can You Cook an Egg With Just Hot Water?
Poaching an egg is bring a pot of water to a simmer, adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and cracking up to 2 eggs at a time or depending on how big your pot is and cooking it for 4-7 minutes depending on how cooked you want your egg. If this is what you mean, then yes you can cook an egg with boiling water.
How Do You Hard Boil Eggs so They Peel Easily?
Place the pan over high heat until it reaches a boil. Turn off heat, cover, and let it sit for 13 minutes. After exactly 13 minutes, remove the eggs from the pan and place them in an ice-water bath and let them cool for five minutes. Carefully crack the eggs shells (making sure the majority of the shell is cracked).