Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

For hard boiled eggs, you should boil them for 10 to 12 minutes after the water reaches a rolling boil. The 10-minute mark produces eggs with fully cooked but creamy yolks, while 12 minutes yields firmer, paler yolks with a slightly chalkier texture.

Cooking Method

The most common approach is to place eggs in a pot, cover them with cold water by about one inch, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the eggs sit in the hot water for 10-12 minutes. After cooking, immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath for about 10 minutes to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel.

Timing by Egg Size

Cooking times may vary slightly based on egg size. Large eggs need about 12 minutes of standing time in hot water after boiling, while medium eggs require 9 minutes and extra-large eggs need approximately 15 minutes. Going beyond 12-15 minutes can result in rubbery whites and dry, powdery yolks with an undesirable grey ring around the yolk.