This no-failure stove method is the easiest way to make hard boiled eggs. It produces perfect eggs every time in less than 15 minutes.
This is my favorite way to cook hard eggs. I love keeping a batch of snacks in the refrigerator all week. I also use them to make classic egg salads, egg eggs, avocado toast and my favorite potato salad.
You won’t believe how easy it is to cook hard eggs. Follow my tips and you will make the perfect boiled egg in no time! If you have an Instant Pot, we can also use this simple recipe for Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs.
How to cook hard boiled eggs on the stove
Place the eggs in a single layer on the bottom of the pan. You don’t want to pile them on top of each other. Place them in a layer to reduce the risk of rupturing the shell when it boils.
Pour in water and cover about 2 inches. Some hard-boiled egg recipes let you boil the water and then tell you to add the eggs. I don’t like to do this because adding a cold egg with a risk of cracking the egg with very hot water.
Bring the water to a boil. The moment the water starts to boil, cover the pot with a lid and cook for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, remove the pan from the heat and set the timer to 10 to 12 minutes (I shared the suggested cooking time below).
Transfer the cooked eggs to an ice bath to stop cooking. I used a slotted spoon to remove each egg from the hot water and carefully placed them in a large bowl filled with cold water and ice. When the eggs are cool enough to handle, you can peel them off.
How long does it take to boil eggs
The ideal cooking time for hard-boiled eggs depends on a few things: the size of the egg, the altitude, and how strong you want the yolk to be. After a lot of experimentation, here is our guide on the most accurate cooking time:
- Medium eggs: Cook for 9 to 10 minutes
- Big Eggs: Cook for 11 to 12 minutes
- Extra large eggs: Cook for 13 to 14 minutes
These cooking times will result in a completely fixed egg yolk. If you prefer a slightly softer egg yolk, reduce the cooking time by one or two. When making large amounts of eggs, I like to “sacrifice” an egg near the 10-minute mark and check the content. If it’s not enough, I’ll put the eggs in water for a minute or two.
Higher altitude: If you live at higher altitudes, you may need to have to be slightly longer than the eggs mentioned above (I will cook for another three minutes from the cooking time).
Eggs that are easy to cook
This is our foolproof stove hard boiled egg recipe. This recipe assumes four eggs, but you can increase or decrease them when appropriate (as long as the eggs can sit in the pan, one layer).
4 or more eggs
Watch us make recipes
You will need
4 or more large eggs
water
direction
1Place the eggs in a single layer in a pan and cover 1 to 2 inches with cold water. Heat over high heat until the water boils.
2Cover the pan with a lid, cook for 30 seconds, then remove from heat and let stand for 12 minutes.
3Before the eggs are finished cooking, prepare a bowl of ice water.
4Transfer the cooked eggs to iced water with a slotted spoon and leave for 5 minutes (or more).
5Cracked eggshells and carefully peel them off. If the shells are not easy to peel off the eggs, put them back in ice water and try again within 5 minutes.
6**Cooking times range from 10 to 14 minutes depending on the size of the eggs, the altitude and how strong you want them to be. If you are cooking a large batch of eggs, it may be a good idea to “sacrifice” one and check the concentration.
Adam and Joanne’s Tips
- Easily peel eggs: Cool your hard boiled eggs completely before peeling! If you are still struggling to peel the boiled eggs, break the cooled eggs and return them to the ice bath. The water under the shell will work, making it a breeze after about 5 minutes.
- Store unsticked hard boiled eggs: Unwearing hard-boiled eggs are the best choice for your best storage. Refrigerate them in shells for up to a week. You can store them in a bowl or in an airtight container.
- Store peeled hard boiled eggs: Peeled hard boiled eggs won’t last long. Store peeled eggs in a container filled with water or wrap them in a wet tissue to avoid drying. Eat them in 5 days.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
Service size
1 egg
/
Calories
71
/
protein
6 g
/
carbohydrate
0 g
/
Dietary fiber
0 g
/
Total sugar
0 g
/
Total fat
5 g
/
Saturated fat
2 g
/
cholesterol
185 mg
/
sodium
62 mg
We are Adam and Joanne, a couple who are passionate about cooking and sharing delicious, reliable recipes since 2009. Our goal? Inspire you to enter the kitchen and cook fresh and delicious meals confidently.
