How to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
I’ve tested so many methods for easily removing the shell from hard boiled eggs, but this method consistently gives me the best results. It works with grocery store eggs and farm fresh eggs alike, and leaves you with flawlessly peeled eggs for Deviled Eggs or Cobb Salad. These directions are so easy, and you can easily peel all the eggs you need at once. They practically peel themselves!
Ingredients
- 12 eggs, cold
- 2-3 cups ice, for ice water bath
Instructions
- Cook the eggs in Boiling Water - To make peeling easier, gently add cold eggs to a large pot of boiling water, and cook to your desired doneness (see time chart below).* This sudden change in temperature helps to separate the membrane from the shell.
- Give the eggs an ice water bath - once the eggs are cooked to the desired doneness, transfer them to a large bowl with ice water using a slotted spoon to prevent overcooking. The thermal shock will make peeling easier.
- Crack the eggs immediately in the ice water bath - once the eggs are in the ice water bath, quickly crack each egg starting with the wide end of the egg and all around. The water will get under the membrane to help loosen the shell from the membrane as the eggs cool. Let the eggs chill in the water for at least 10 minutes.
- Peel from the bottom of the egg to make the shell come off more easily, since there is an air pocket in the bottom. Try to get under the membrane as you begin peeling. You can peel under the ice water or under running water if that makes it easier, and you can use a spoon to help you separate the shell following the curve of the egg, if desired.
Notes
* How long to boil eggs if adding to boiling water:
- Runny yolks - 6 minutes
- Soft-boiled - 8 minutes
- Hard-boiled - 10 minutes
Nutrition Facts
How to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs
Amount per Serving
Calories
63
% Daily Value*
Fat
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
0.02
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
2
g
Cholesterol
164
mg
55
%
Sodium
64
mg
3
%
Potassium
61
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
0.3
g
0
%
Sugar
0.2
g
0
%
Protein
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
238
IU
5
%
Calcium
26
mg
3
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
