Here’s how to peel hard-boiled eggs easily and get perfectly consistent results every time! I’ve tested a lot of “tricks” but this method is hands down the best way to remove eggshells easily. It works on both old and fresh eggs, and the eggs will almost peel themselves.
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How to Peel a Boiled Egg Video
Learning how to peel a hard-boiled egg is as easy as cracking it! This technique creates a beautiful plate of deviled eggs or these adorable Easter egg chicks!
This egg peeling method cracks all the eggs in one go, peels them beautifully, and the eggs almost peel themselves. This simple video shows you how to peel hard-boiled eggs perfectly every time!
The best way to peel an egg
I watched all the popular videos. I tested all the so-called “easy peel” methods with extremely inconsistent results, from shaking them in the jar one at a time to rolling them on the counter.
No matter which method I use, many of the eggshells are too stubborn to remove well, so I end up with a bunch of ugly, messy eggs. They look like they’ve been run over by a lawnmower. This is not what you want in a plate of pretty eggs.
The “thermal shock” trick for easily peeling hard-boiled eggs is to place them in boiling water while cooking and then pop them in an ice-water bath. This always gives me the best results and you can quickly peel a bunch of eggs Once, so it’s easy to make my five-star egg salad recipe or viral hard-boiled egg chocolate pudding, no need The frustration of being stuck
What eggs are easiest to peel?
It’s true that older eggs are easier to peel – they have more time for the center to shrink and create more space between the shell and membrane. Farm fresh eggs are difficult to peel and will be easier if you let them sit for 7-10 days before boiling.
Keep in mind that most grocery store eggs are not truly “fresh” and may have been sitting there for 30 days before coming into your home.
Boil the eggs in boiling water to make them easier to peel
If you have trouble peeling hard-boiled eggs, this simple trick can make a big difference. Do not put the egg in cold water, but gently place it in the water boiling water (I love my spider filter). I’ve tested this method and it does work. The sudden change in temperature helps create a slight separation between the shell and membrane, making the eggs easier to peel.
Here are the times to cook eggs in boiling water:
- 6 minutes For runny yolks
- 8 minutes for soft-boiled eggs
- 10 minutes for boiled eggs
How to peel a hard-boiled egg
Once the eggs are cooked to desired doneness, remove them from the water with a slotted spoon and follow these steps to easily peel them:
- Ice water bath for eggs – Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to prevent the eggs from overcooking.
- Immediately place the eggs in an ice water bath and crack them. Knock firmly starting at the wide end to get water under the membrane, then tapping all around to help loosen the membrane in place.
- Peel the skin from the bottom of the egg Once they cool, it is easier to separate the membranes. If you find that the eggs help them slide off the shell, you can peel the eggs in a water bath or under running water.
Pro tip:
One trick that helps me separate stubborn shells is to shell them in water or under running water. For very stubborn eggs, you can also run a spoon under the shell along the curve of the egg. Start working from the bottom and move to the top.
These hard-boiled eggs are ready to use once peeled, whether you’re making egg salad, deviled eggs, or adding them to a salad. Be sure to check out my favorite hard boiled egg recipes.
We eat a lot of hard-boiled eggs, so I’ve tested them all over the years, from traditional hard-boiled eggs to Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs This practical method makes peeling easier.
Now you know my favorite trick for peeling hard-boiled eggs with ease and getting beautiful results every time. Let me know how this method helped you in the comments.
How to peel a hard-boiled egg
I’ve tested many ways to easily remove hard-boiled egg shells, but this method always gives me the best results. It works with both grocery store eggs and farm-fresh eggs, and gives you perfectly peeled eggs for deviled eggs or Cobb salad. The instructions are so simple that you can easily peel all the eggs you need in one go. They almost peeled themselves off!
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Cook eggs in boiling water – For easier peeling, gently place cold eggs into a large pan of boiling water and cook to your desired doneness (see schedule below). *This sudden change in temperature helps separate the membrane from the eggshell.
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Ice water bath for eggs – Once the eggs are cooked to desired doneness, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a large bowl of ice water to prevent overcooking. Thermal shock will make peeling easier.
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Immediately place the eggs in an ice water bath and crack them – Once the eggs are in the ice water bath, quickly crack each egg starting at the wide end and around the edges. As the egg cools, water gets under the membrane and helps loosen the shell from the membrane. Let the eggs cool in the water for at least 10 minutes.
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Peel the skin from the bottom of the egg Makes the shell easier to come off because there is an air pocket at the bottom. When you start peeling, try to get under the film. If it’s easier, you can peel it under ice or running water, using a spoon to help you separate the shell along the curve of the egg if needed.
- Runny yolk – 6 minutes
- Medium rare – 8 minutes
- Cook – 10 minutes
storage
Once the eggs are peeled, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate. Peeled hard-boiled eggs are best enjoyed inside 3 to 5 days. If the eggs smell strange or feel slimy, discard them.
63kilocalories Calories0.3gram carbohydrate6gram protein4gram fat
Nutritional information
How to peel a hard-boiled egg
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
*Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
More cooking and baking tips
Once you’ve mastered the easy way to peel hard-boiled eggs, check out my other cooking tutorials to make food prep easier and more fun: