How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs (Stove top Hard Boiled Eggs)

Hard boiled eggs are easy to make and make for a great snack, breakfast or lunch. All you need is eggs and a pot of water and you will have perfect hard-boiled eggs. With this basic technique, you’ll have delicious eggs ready to enjoy as a snack, in salads, or as part of your favorite recipes. Using this recipe and our tips you will have perfect hard boiled eggs every time.

How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Hard boiled eggs are a staple in our house. We enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, and quick snacks. They are a healthy option for everyone to enjoy and when they are already cooked and in the fridge, it makes them a very easy healthy option for people to grab. 2

There are many different ways to make hard boiled eggs, depending on the time I have and my mood depends on how I am going to cook them. Hard boiling eggs on the stove top is the first way I learned to make hard boiled eggs. 

You can make oven baked hard boiled eggs, instant pot hard boiled eggs and air fryer hard boiled eggs. This recipe is for the traditional hard boiled eggs in water on the stove top. 

You can use this method of cooking eggs for any eggs you need hard boiled for recipes and for dying Easter eggs. 

What is a hard boiled egg?

A hard-boiled egg is an egg that has been cooked in its shell in boiling water until both the white and the yolk have solidified. When properly cooked, the white of the egg is fully set and firm, and the yolk is firm but not dry or chalky. The term “hard-boiled” refers to the firm texture of the egg white and yolk after cooking.

These cooked eggs are commonly eaten as a snack, sliced and added to salads, or used as an ingredient in various recipes.

Ways To Enjoy Hard boiled Eggs 

There are many ways to enjoy the cooked eggs both as a snack and in other recipes.

Simple snacks. Enjoy as a simple snack on their own, seasoned with a sprinkle of salt and pepper or any of the topping ideas that I share later on.

Deviled eggs. The cooked eggs are cut in half and the yolk is used with other ingredients as a filling. Some of my favorite deviled eggs recipes are Bacon Deviled Eggs, Pastel Deviled Eggs, Christmas Deviled Eggs and Halloween deviled eggs.

Egg and avocado toast. Mash the cooked eggs with ripe avocado and spread it on toast for a nutritious and filling breakfast or snack.

The Best Egg Salad. Using the cooked eggs and other ingredients make egg salad that is the perfect filling for egg salad sandwiches and Egg Salad Wraps.

Stuffed in sandwiches. Slice the eggs and use them to place on sandwiches or in wraps along with your favorite fillings such as lettuce, tomato, cheese, and deli meats.

Sliced on salads. Add sliced eggs to salads for extra protein and flavor. They pair well with greens, vegetables, and a variety of dressings.

Pasta Salads. Pasta salad is a great way to enjoy hard-boiled eggs, they add a great flavor and texture to pasta salad recipes. My favorite pasta salad to make with hard boiled eggs is Egg Salad Pasta Salad.

Toppings for Hard Boiled Eggs as a Snack

When enjoying hard boiled eggs as a snack while they are great on their own adding some toppings makes them even more tasty. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy eating them as a snack. I like to cut them in half and then add the toppings. 

Salt and pepper. A classic and simple combination to enhance the flavor of the cooked eggs.

Everything bagel seasoning. The combination of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt adds a flavorful twist to the eggs.

Paprika. Sprinkle smoked or sweet paprika over the cooked eggs for a touch of smokiness and great flavor.

Hot sauce. Drizzle your favorite hot sauce over hard-boiled eggs for a spicy kick.

Cajun seasoning and avocado. Add a sprinkle of cajun seasoning and a thin slice of avocado on top of each egg half.

Tips for Making Hard Boiled Eggs

Choose the right eggs. Use eggs that are a few days old rather than very fresh eggs. Older eggs tend to peel more easily.

Start with room temperature eggs. Allow the eggs to come to room temperature before boiling. This helps prevent cracking.

Single layer in the pot. Make sure the eggs are in a single layer in your pot and cover eggs with 2 inches of water in the pot. The more eggs you have crowded in the pot of water the more water you will need to have, but you never want to have them stacked on top of each other.

Cooking time. Start counting the cooking time when the water reaches a full rolling boil. If you have a stove top that does not keep the heat when you turn it off it is best to keep the stove temperature on low. 

Cooling. Once the eggs are done cooking, immediately cooling them is important. You can run them under cold water and place them in the fridge to cool or you can transfer them to a large bowl of ice water, called and ice bath to cool.

Let them cool before peeling. Once the cooking time is up, transfer the eggs to a bowl of cold water or an ice bath to cool down. This helps in stopping the cooking process and makes peeling easier.

How to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs

Give them a gentle roll. To make peeling a breeze, gently tap the egg on a hard surface to crack the shell all around, then roll it between your hands to loosen the shell. 

Cracking the Shell. Gently tap the egg on a hard surface, such as the countertop or cutting board. Roll the egg back and forth under your palm to create small cracks all over the shell. Be gentle to avoid crushing the egg underneath.

How to Store Hard Boiled Eggs

It is best to store hardboiled eggs unpeeled but you can store them peeled as well. Allow the eggs to fully cool and then place them peeled or unpeeled in an air tight container and store in the fridge. 

It is important to store the eggs with in 2 hours after they are done being cooked and also to store them on an inside shelf in the fridge and not on the refrigerator door. 

How long do hard boiled eggs last?

Hard-boiled eggs will keep fresh for about a week in the fridge if they are left in the shell, if they are unpeeled it is best to eat them within 3 days.

Hard Boiled Eggs Ingredients

• eggs
• water

How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs

Place the eggs into a deep pot and then fill it with cold water. Be sure to cover the eggs, you will want about 4 cups of water if using a large pot and a dozen eggs. 

Place the pot on the stove on a medium-high heat until it reaches a full boil.

Once the water comes to a full boil turn off the heat and cover the pot with the lid. Let the eggs sit for 12 minutes to finish cooking. I find it best to set a timer so I do not over cook them. 

After 12 minutes, use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs into a colander and rinse with cold running water. 

Place eggs in the fridge for an hour to cool completely or use a large bowl filled with ice and water to make a water bath to cool the eggs before storing them in the fridge.

Easy Egg Recipes

• Ham and cheese egg muffins
• Baked Avocado and Egg
• Canadian Bacon, Egg and cheese breakfast sandwich
• Bacon Egg and cheese monkey bread
• Egg in a hole

Recipe FAQ

What is the green ring on my hard boiled eggs?

The greenish-gray ring that sometimes appears around the yolk of hard-boiled eggs is called a “sulfur ring” or “ferrous sulfide ring.” It’s caused by a chemical reaction between sulfur in the egg white and iron in the yolk when the eggs are cooked for too long or at too high a temperature. 

How do I stop having the green ring when making hard boiled eggs?

To prevent the green ring from forming, make sure to cook your hard-boiled eggs for the right amount of time and at the correct temperature. Follow the tips provided earlier, and cooling the eggs promptly after cooking. This should help prevent overcooking and the formation of the sulfur ring.

Do I have to use a pot to make hard boiled eggs?

No you can use a saucepan to make hardboiled eggs. Just be sure they are fully covered with water and in a single layer in the pan.