The Secret to Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs

Few things in the kitchen are more frustrating than peeling eggs.

Seriously, who wants to take deviled eggs to the family Christmas party when they look like the dog took his share before you left the house?

I've found two tried-and-true methods for easy-peel hardboiled eggs.

I bet you've heard the “old eggs” peel better.

Me too! And for years the only way I thought I could get easy-peel hard boiled eggs was the “old egg method”… I bought eggs a week or so before I needed them so they would be “old enough” to peel properly. Then I'd boil, throw salt over my shoulder for luck and pray that the eggs would turn out decent enough to serve to guests.

Once we got chickens I quickly realized the week-old egg trick would not work. Turns out a week doesn't necessarily make eggs “old” when you compare them to store-bought. Store-bought eggs can be anywhere from a few weeks to a month old when you buy them.

So I tried several methods to get eggs that were perfectly cooked and easy to peel and that produced consistent results even with farm-fresh eggs.

Frustration-Free and Money Saving Easy Peel Hardboiled Eggs

They say it's the little foxes that spoil the vine so I try to eliminate as many little foxes from my life as possible. I sigh a sigh of relief when I order something and it says, “comes in frustration-free packaging”.

I also sigh a sigh of relief when my hardboiled eggs come in frustration-free packaging. 🙂

Groceries are one of the biggest expenses in a family's budget. Plus, if you're buying $5 a dozen pastured eggs you do not want to waste them. There's no sense throwing money away (or making egg salad again) when you can make beautiful hardboiled eggs on the first try.

These two methods ensure easy-peel, frustration-free hardboiled eggs every time!

Easy-Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs Method #1

Ingredients

1 Dozen Eggs
Water
1 TBSP Salt

Instructions

Add salt and water to a pot large enough to hold the eggs. Use enough water so that the eggs are covered.
Bring water to a boil and gently add eggs.
Once the water has returned to a boil, set a timer for 12 minutes for medium-sized eggs or 15 minutes for large eggs.
Remove from heat, drain and put the eggs in an ice bath until they are cool.

Easy-Peel Hardboiled Eggs Method #2

Since I got an Instant Pot this is my go-to method. 🙂

You can use any pressure cooker, electric or stovetop.

Here's how: Use the 5-5-5 method.

You'll find it here: easy-peel hardboiled eggs in the Instant Pot.

Update 2021 – Just last week my mom (who was not convinced fresh eggs could be easily peeled) made eggs using the method above and said they were really easy:

I have been making hard-boiled eggs using these two methods for over 10 years and the results are consistent.

Need to kick up your deviled eggs a notch? Try this!

Fermented Jalapeño Deviled Eggs

Who says deviled eggs can only be made with sweet relish?! These Fermented Jalapeno Deviled Eggs are full of nourishing fat, protein, and a probiotic boost from fermented jalapenos! Give this deviled egg makeover a try.