This Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg recipe is my favorite way to “cook” eggs! And it’s a bit of a misnomer because we don’t actually hard boil the eggs at all. We use another method, instead, that evenly cooks the eggs and makes them easy to peel! {Paleo}
Spiriteds, I think I’ve got it! The Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg Recipe. Really! No more dimpled, over-dried, or undercooked eggs. And no more peeling away at our collective souls as we chip itty bitty pieces of shell from what is supposed to be our dinner.
Nope, Spiriteds, achieving the perfect hard-boiled egg is not difficult to do, and once you’ve done it, you can add these perfect specimens to any number of recipes (including that one where you pour a little salt on the egg and eat it over the sink). For additional inspiration, think Spicy Avocado Deviled Eggs or Mayo-Free, Paleo Egg Salad.
What makes this Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg Recipe so “perfect”? Well, actually, I have a confession: you see, this hard-boiled egg recipe isn’t about hard boiling at all. It’s a misnomer. Because, for this recipe, we’re going to use…STEAM, followed by a cold water bath.
You are in and out of this recipe in about 30 minutes. And that INCLUDES time for the water to heat up. So let’s get going! Once you’ve tried this recipe, you’ll see what all the hype is about!
Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg equipment
Since this recipe takes a different approach to hard-boiled eggs, it’s helpful to know what to have on hand. To prepare your eggs this way, you’ll need a:
- Steamer basket. A metal insert will work just fine. If you have a steam pot with a built-in basket, then that will work, too.
- Saucepan with lid. Large enough to hold about 1-2 inches of water and the steamer basket. The bowl should be large enough to hold ice, water, and steamed eggs.
- Ice cream scoop. Yes, I’m serious. I use the ice cream scoop to transfer the steamed eggs from the saucepan to the bowl and then to their final destination post-bath. But, also yes? A soup spoon will work, too.
How to make the Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg Recipe
- Fill a saucepan with about 1-2 inches of water. Add the steamer basket, cover with a lid, and bring the water to a boil.
- Then add the eggs to the steamer basket. Include only as many eggs as can lay evenly in the basket with space in between each one. Steam on a MEDIUM-HIGH heat for 15 minutes.
- Just as the eggs are about done steaming, fill a bowl with water and add several ice cubes. When the eggs are done steaming, then transfer them carefully to the bowl of ice water. Leave them submerged for 10 minutes.
- Next, remove them from the ice water bath, dry them off with a towel, and either use them in the desired recipe or store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
NOTE: Small batches of eggs can easily be prepared this way. Even if you’re steaming just 1-2 eggs, this process still works. For larger quantities, work in batches, if needed, to prevent the eggs from being crowded in the steamer basket.
Best practices for evenly steamed eggs
- Don’t overfill the steamer basket with eggs. Add only as many as you need for the recipe without overlapping them. Ideally, there should be enough room between the eggs for steam to pass through. This allows the eggs to cook through evenly.
- Remove the eggs promptly at 10 minutes. This is the primo time slot when the eggs have cooled and the shell is still easy to remove. After 10 minutes, you’ll still be able to peel away the shell, but it may be more difficult. If, like me, you’re prone to getting pulled away from what you’re doing, then I suggest setting a timer. That’s what I always do.
- Gently make the first crack in the shell and then peel carefully. Why be so careful at the outset, once the eggs are done? Because not all eggs behave the same. Even with this nifty approach to cooked eggs, there will still be some eggs with shells that are difficult to remove. The more itty-bitty pieces the shell is broken into, the harder it may be to remove it. Sometimes, too, the egg’s membrane (the thin skin between the egg and the shell), likes to separate. But this is actually a good thing! If the membrane separates, then use it as the guide for removing the rest of the shell. You’ll find it tears and the shell cracks, but the egg is more likely to stay intact.
Eggs up!
Now that you have the Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg recipe, it’s time to enjoy those eggs! Aside from sprinkling sea salt on one and eating it straight over the sink, as I mentioned above, there are other ways to enjoy these eggs!
Spiriteds, enjoy these eggs, stay wild, and always know I’m glad you’re here! ❤️
PrintPerfect Hard-Boiled Egg Recipe
This Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg recipe is my favorite way to “cook” eggs! And it’s a bit of a misnomer because ew don’t actually hard boil the eggs at all. We use another method, instead, that evenly cooks the eggs and makes them easier to peel! {Paleo}
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Varies
- Category: Salads and Dressings
- Method: Stovetop
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- Eggs
- Ice water
Instructions
- Fill a saucepan with about 1-2 inches of water. Add the steamer basket and cover with a lid. Bring water to a boil.
- Then add the eggs to the steamer basket. Include only as many eggs as can lay evenly in the basket with space in between each one. Steam on a MEDIUM-HIGH heat for 15 minutes.
- Just as the eggs are about done steaming, fill a bowl with water and add several ice cubes. When the eggs are done steaming, transfer them carefully to the bowl of ice water. Leave them submerged for 10 minutes.
- Next, remove them from the ice water bath, dry them off with a towel, and either use them in the desired recipe or store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
- Small batches of eggs can easily be prepared this way. Even if you’re steaming just 1-2 eggs, this process still works. For larger quantities, work in batches, if needed, to prevent the eggs from crowding in the steamer basket.
- Remove the eggs from the cold water bath promptly at 10 minutes.
- Gently crack the eggs before peeling them. This will make it easier to pull the shell and membrane away from the egg without puncturing it.
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