6 Must-Try Hacks for Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs

There's nothing quite like a perfect hard-boiled egg. The whites are firm but not dry, and the yolk is creamy and unbroken. But sometimes it can be tricky to achieve this perfection.

If you've been struggling to make great hard-boiled eggs, check out these hacks for some tips on how to do it like a pro.

How to Make the Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs: 6 Must-Try Hacks

From adding vinegar to the water to using an ice bath, we'll show you all the tricks you need to make perfect eggs every time.

So give them a try and see how easy it is!

Hard-boiled eggs. The perfect go-to snack, side-dish, main dish, or even mixed with many meals such as pasta and salads. This excellent source of protein might be one of the most affordable and easy meals to prepare.

However, despite how accessible it is, there are still issues with having green and unpleasant yolks, problems with broken and popped shells, and issues on how to peel, undercooked, or overcook.

You might think that having perfect hard-boiled eggs is hard to achieve but the truth is, it is not!

Here are 6 must-try hacks that you should consider when making that perfect hard-boiled egg.

Table of Contents

Add vinegar to boiling water.

First, the hard-boiled egg hack is to add vinegar to your boiling water.

How does it work?

Vinegar helps to raise the acid pH level of the water, making it prevent the egg whites from spilling out. It also helps the egg to harden egg whites to keep them intact with the eggshell.

This method is easy and inexpensive because you probably have vinegar lying in your pantry. Regular white vinegar or apple cider vinegar is okay.

Plus, while eggshells are intact with the egg whites, the acidity of the vinegar makes shells soft and can be easier to peel.

Will it affect the taste of the egg? No, it won’t! Don’t worry.

How to do it?

Just like a regular method of boiling eggs, except you will just add white vinegar and a pinch of salt.

After the boiling method is to place the eggs in a ice water bath for 3 to 8 minutes until they’re cooled down.

Then peel the eggs and enjoy!

You will observe a less hassle cracking and peeling of the eggs, as well as fewer chances of egg whites spilling out.

Is there an alternative? You can also use lemon because of its acidity level.

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Your method matters.

If you want a perfect hard-boiled egg, then your method matters. There are a lot of ways to cook eggs. It is either vacuum-sealed or sous vide, the traditional boiling and steaming.

Sous vide hard-“boiled” eggs:

For many years, this method has been widely used by many and even perfecting hard-“boiled” eggs. Sous vide can be tedious work but it is definitely worth it for cooking perfect eggs. Now, the sous vide method may sound like a fancy method, but we promise you, it is not. However, with this, it is required to have sous vide equipment and tools.

You can sous vide your hard-boiled eggs at a temperature of 150°F to 170°F and cook them for 40 minutes to an hour.

Remember that time and temperature matter with sous vide eggs. This is also a great way to predict what texture your sous vide eggs will be.

Traditional boiling eggs

First is to place eggs in a pot filled with cold water and bring it to a boil, then cover the pot letting the eggs cook for 8 to 13 minutes depending on the result you want.

After this is to prepare an ice bath for them to cool down for 10 to 15 minutes for an easier peel.

And enjoy.

Steamed hard-“boiled” eggs

To do this method is to first fill your pot or pan with water for a few inches and then get a steamer basket on top of the steaming water. Boil water and once it starts to boil is to place your eggs in the steamer basket for 6 to 12 minutes.

Prepare an ice bath after the steam and let them sit for a few minutes to cool.

They are much easier to peel compared to other methods even with slight differences only, yolks are more tender and soft.

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What is the best method for perfect eggs?

If you can wait for a slightly longer time, then sous vide is a good method. But steaming eggs may be a great way to have a perfect hard-boiled egg. You can also add vinegar and a pinch of salt with water too.

The traditional boiling works too but tendencies are egg whites spilling out.

Although, there are methods and ways how you can make hard-boiled eggs such as using a pressure cooker, baking them, and cooking them in an instant pot.

Boil older eggs

Eggs that are 7 days to 2 weeks old are ideal to have the perfect boiled egg because they are easier to peel because the egg whites shrink. You can buy eggs a week before cooking.

Try adding the vinegar and salt method when boiling for an almost perfect egg.

Cooking Time matters!

The first question is… what is your definition of a perfect hard-boiled egg? You might like runny yolks, or maybe runny ones and others may prefer the fully cooked ones. It really depends, that is why cooking time matters for boiling eggs.

If you prefer soft and runny yolks then 2 to 4 minutes is recommended.

5 to 8 minutes are soft but are set.

9 to 15 minutes – hard to fully-cooked yolks.

Many people say that 8 to 9 minutes is the most ideal time to cook hard-boiled eggs.

The peeling method matters too

Yes, how you peel the eggs matters! If you want a perfect hard-boiled egg, make sure your ways how to peel them are effective and do not have a scratch on your eggs.

There are dozens of ways on the internet that will help you how to peel eggs perfectly. A great method on how you can peel is to crack eggs and roll the egg gently between your hands until the eggs pop or loosen up. After that is to peel the egg fully starting with the largest crack.

There are also other peeling methods such as the spoon method, blowing one, and peeling eggs underwater.

Also, a famous effective way to get a jar and place an egg is to shake it with the sealed jar. It will help loosen the shell and fall off.

Monitor temperature

When boiling eggs, the temperature has a big impact on cooking hard-boiled eggs. If you are confused about what temperature of water to use, or confusions about the boiling point, don’t worry because it is more advised to boil around 170°F (77°C) and not beyond 180°F.

It is also great to use cold eggs straight from the refrigerator for an easier peel.

As you can see, there are a lot of hacks on how you can make your hard-boiled eggs perfect. From temperature, methods, and even peeling method matters. Many factors have a big impact on cooking eggs.