How long to boil eggs? It seems simple enough but most people overcook their eggs. Here’s how to make perfect hard-boiled eggs or soft-boiled eggs.

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Perfect Boiled Eggs
Are you tired of overcooked green or grey egg yolks, rubbery whites, or discovering an oozing yolk when you need a firm one for your Chicken Cobb Salad? Do you tend to overcook your eggs just to be sure they are done? This tutorial is for you!
Learn how to make hard-boiled eggs with our tried and true (easy-peel) method. Boiled eggs are such a versatile ingredient and every cook should have this skill down. You will be a pro in no time, enjoying all of your favorite Boiled Egg Recipes, and let’s not forget Easter Eggs.
Hard-Boiled Eggs Video
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Everyone needs a go-to method for perfectly cooked eggs every time for making Deviled Eggs and Egg Salad. This method is really easy – all you need is a saucepan and water.

What are the Best Eggs for Boiling?
Eggs come in different sizes (small to jumbo) and varieties (natural, free-range, organic, omega-3, etc). The primary things to consider for boiled eggs are:
- Egg Freshness – Older store-bought eggs are easier to peel. Farm fresh eggs (from backyard chickens) should be cooked under high pressure in the instant pot or they can be very difficult to peel.
- Size Matters – We use Large Grade AA eggs. Large eggs (2 ounces each) are the standard size in most recipes so we stick with those. Medium eggs will cook faster and Extra Large or Jumbo eggs will take a little longer.

Tips for Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs:
- Use the same pan every time for consistent results. We use a large 3-quart stainless steel saucepan. Different types of pans such as cast iron can take longer to come to a boil which may need less cooking time once eggs are at a boil.
- Don’t cover with the lid or you won’t be able to see when the water starts boiling.
- Set a timer as soon as the water is at a boil (keep watch for the start of the boil so you aren’t guessing at your timings).
- Have a bowl of ice water ready so you can lower your eggs into there as soon as the timer is done. This stops the cooking process and makes them easier to peel.
How to Boil Eggs
- Place cold eggs in a large stainless steel pot and cover with cold water, filling 1″ over the surface of the eggs. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat uncovered.
- Once at a boil, reduce heat to keep a medium boil then set a timer for your desired doneness (see chart below).
- Prepare your ice water bath and as soon as the timer is done, transfer eggs into ice water.

How Long to Boil Eggs Chart
As soon as the water comes to a boil, set your timer and follow this time chart for soft boiled to hard-boiled eggs. Tip: You can pull them out at different times and set up different bowls with ice water to make a variety of eggs all in one pot.
- Boil for 2 minutes: soft boiled with a liquid center
- 3 minutes: soft-boiled with a creamy center
- 4-5 minutes: medium-boiled with a moist, soft center
- 6-7 minutes: hard-boiled eggs with a soft center
- 8-9 minutes – fully hard-boiled eggs with firm, dry center
A perfect hard-boiled egg should have fully set (but not rubbery) whites, have a bright yellow center, and should never have a green tinge around the yolk which signifies overcooking. Soft-boiled eggs have fully set whites and a creamy liquid center.

Do I need to add salt or vinegar for Boiled Eggs?
It is thought that adding vinegar to the water helps with easier peeling of eggs, but the difference is minimal so it’s optional. Adding salt to the water is also optional but it can help if you have a cracked egg to reduce the amount of egg white that leaks into the water. It can help form a small seal on small cracks.
Helpful Reader Review
“Great method. I have a terrible habit of overcooking eggs and this is a super helpful chart. I had a thought about the salt, though. I learned in my college cooking courses that salt in the water will stop cracked eggs from leaking egg into the water. Sometimes eggs will crack a little bit when the water really gets roiling and the salt helps keep the egg inside the shell.” – Betsy ★★★★★
What is the best way to peel eggs?
Start peeling at the thick end of the egg where the air bubble is located to get under the membrane for easy shell removal. Also, peeling eggs under running cold water forces water under the membrane for easier shell removal.

How to Store Hard-Boiled Eggs
According to the USDA, boiled eggs should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. The length of time you can store them depends on if they are hard-boiled versus soft-boiled:
- Hard-boiled eggs will keep well in the fridge for up to 7 days. Keep them unpeeled to prevent order absorption and drying out. If peeled, store them in an airtight container.
- Soft-boiled eggs can be kept refrigerated for up to 3 days, peeled, or unpeeled in an airtight container.
How to Use Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-cooked eggs are so versatile and good for you. Here are our favorite ways to use boiled eggs:
- Egg Salad – simple and excellent
- Guacamole Stuffed Eggs – amazing flavor
- Chicken Avocado Salad – our #1 salad
- Easter Egg Chicks – so adorable!
- Salmon Cobb Salad – with the best dressing
- Potato Salad – with creamy dressing
How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs Recipe

Ingredients
- 8 large eggs, (can use 6-12 eggs), cold from the fridge
- 8 cups cold water, (for a 3 qt saucepan)
Instructions
- Place cold eggs in a large 3-quart stainless steel saucepan and cover with cold water so water is 1" above the surface of the eggs. With the lid off, bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Once at a boil, reduce heat to keep at a medium boil and set a timer for your desired doneness (see chart below).
- Prepare your ice water bath, and as soon as the timer is done, transfer the eggs into ice water so they are fully submerged. Once the eggs have cooled, you can refrigerate hard-boiled eggs for up to 7 days or soft-boiled eggs for up to 3 days. Peel when ready to use.
Notes
- Boil 2 min: soft boiled with a liquid center
- Boil 3 min: soft-boiled with a creamy center
- Boil 4-5 min: medium-boiled with a moist, soft center
- Boil 6-7 min: hard-boiled eggs with a soft center
- Boil 8-9 min: hard-boiled eggs with firm dry center
Just a comment about adding salt to the water. A little salt – a 1/2 teaspoon or so – will prevent the egg white from spewing out into the water, in case a shell is cracked. That is something I learned in a Foods & Nutrition class in college several years ago.
Best instructions for boiled eggs I’ve found and used ever!
Always boiled them to long and wound up with the green ring around the yolk of the eggs.
Will definitely be saving this post for future use!
I’m glad it was helpful, Christine! Thank you.
Hi Natasha
I learned that you need to boil the water first, and then add the eggs to the boiling water. I have done it this way three times so far. The eggs have peeled much easier this way every time.
Great to hear that, Kelly!
This is my second time using this recipe for boiled eggs. The shell did not peel easy for me and I ended up wasting a lot of egg whites.
They peel perfectly for us every time we make this. Feel free to check the comments section at the bottom for more tips.
Kelly I do the same thing with my boiled eggs! Putting them in boiling water seizes the membrane to the shell and the ice after boiling keeps in attached to the shell instead of the egg.
Hi Brenda. Great to hear that someone else does this! That makes sense. Thanks!
Thank you for this recipe. It never came to my mind to search for boiling egg instructions and to be honest this recipe came up when I looked for Easter recipes! I always guessed about timing of boiling egg and it always ended up overcooking! The pictures with timing are very helpful! I never thought 2 min would be enough for soft egg! I just made and true! Now , I can enjoy my egg at home!
Hi Varash! you’re very welcome! I’m glad it’s helpful. 🙂
Question for you Natasha – what is your recommendation for boiling at 4,400 ft? Standard recommendations for any additional time for cooking at this altitude, or do you have anything specific. It always seems to take longer…and I find 12 min for large the best to get the ‘dry’ center.
Hi Debbie, I don’t have anything specific and I have to personally try it to give some suggestions. I hope that will work just fine and that you’ll enjoy it!
I have always added salt to the water when boiling eggs. The reason is that if an egg should crack while cooking it reduces the amount of egg white that leaks out. My son in law was steaming the eggs and he found that all of the eggs peeled very easily every time. Love your recipes
Thank you! So glad you love my recipes. 🙂
From my son: This is for large eggs. Get a pot of water boiling and add a steamer basket of screen mesh. Put in the desired amount of eggs while the water is boiling, put the lid on, and keep boiling for 13 minutes plus 15 seconds. Use an ice bath to prevent overcooking. The eggs are perfectly cooked and the shell is very easy to peel.
My perfect eggs are the same boiling procedure but I turn off heat and cover for 15 minutes. Then cool and peel no green yolk anywhere
Don’t boil your eggs for only 6 minutes it doesn’t work waste of eggs don’t try!
Perfect!
I crack the eggshells with a spoon before placing in the ice water. Seems easier to peel.
Since I started boiling eggs like this, my husband said they’ve been perfect every time! Easy to peel and they are beautiful and delicious!
Wonderful! I’m glad to hear that.