How to Make Boiled Eggs 5 Ways: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether it’s destined for deviled egging, topping your breakfast toast, or serving as a snack on-the-go, the hard-boiled egg is a humble, yet hardworking, protein source every home cook should know how to make. There are a number of methods for preparing easily peeled, perfectly creamy-yolked hard-boiled eggs, and everybody’s got a favorite. Here are 5 of the most popular methods explained—follow the path that speaks to you, and you’re guaranteed hard-boiled success.

Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

1. Place eggs in a pot of cold water; bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer (less aggressive, smaller bubbles continuously reaching the surface) for 9 minutes (for slightly soft yolks) or 10 minutes (for perfect hard-boiled yolks).
3. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking; let rest for 2 minutes and peel.

Related: Boiling vs. Simmering—What’s the Difference?

Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

1. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.
2. Carefully lower eggs into the water using a slotted spoon and return to a boil for 3 minutes.
3. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking; let rest for 2 minutes and peel.

Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

1. Place a steamer basket over 1-2 inches of water in a saucepan.
2. Bring water to a boil and carefully place eggs in basket.
3. Cover the pan and steam eggs for 13 minutes.
4. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking; let rest for 2 minutes and peel.

Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

1. Pour ¾ cup water into the bottom of your Instant Pot. Place rack into pot and put 6-10 eggs on rack. Place cover on Instant Pot and close valve to “sealing”position.
2. Using the manual pressure setting on high, set the timer to 5 minutes.
3. Release the pressure, remove eggs from pot; shock in cold water and peel

*Test Kitchen Note:This method produced the easiest-to-peel eggs!

Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski

1. Place 12 eggs in a 12-cup muffin tin and bake at 325° for 27 minutes.
2. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking; let rest for 2 minutes and peel.