How Long Do You Have To Cook Hard Boiled Eggs

Eggs — hard-boiled, soft-boiled, scrambled, and so on — are a breakfast staple. Whether you're kicking off your day with an egg breakfast, making an appetizer (we're thinking about you deviled), or you're just trying to add some protein to your salad, follow this fail-proof method. Did we mention eggs are healthy in a variety of ways too?

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There are three ways to make hard-boiled eggs:

You can pop 'em in an egg cooker, try the Test Kitchen-approved microwave approach, or go the old-fashioned route with a pot of boiling water.

If you prefer the latter, follow this simple two-step method:

Bring a pot of water to boil. Once the water's boiling, use a large slotted spoon to gently lower the eggs into the water. Boil for 11 minutes (Note: For soft-boiled eggs, cook for 6 minutes.)
Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and let sit until the shells are cold to the touch. At this point, they can be peeled and eaten or refrigerate still in their shells for up to 1 week.

TIP: Different egg sizes calls for varying cooking times. How do you know when a hard boiled egg is done? We suggest cooking medium eggs for 9 minutes, large eggs for 11 minutes, and extra-large eggs for 13 minutes.

How do you hard-boil eggs so they peel easily?

It actually comes down to the eggs — not necessarily the method — that you're using. The older the egg, the easier they are to peel. For the best results, use eggs that are 7–10 days old. Harold McGee in On Food and Cooking, explains that "difficult peeling is characteristic of fresh eggs with a relatively low albumen pH, which somehow causes the albumen to adhere to the inner shell membrane more strongly than it coheres to itself." So if you only have a fresh dozen in your fridge, Harold McGee suggests adding adding a 1/2 tsp baking soda to the water which will raise the Ph levels and possibly make them easier to peel.

Why do egg yolks turn grey or green? Also, is it okay to eat overcooked hard-boiled eggs?

Pale, creamy yellow centers are what you're aiming for. However, if they appear green or grey (sad face), it's because they have cooked for too long. So make sure you are there to transfer them to the ice water when the timer goes off. Although these less-than-perfect versions aren't as pretty, they're totally safe to eat — as long as you can look past the rubbery egg whites and chalky yolks.

How long do hard-boiled eggs last?

The general rule of thumb is that you can store hard cooked eggs in an air-tight container in the refrigerated for one week tops. That means you can prep a dozen on Sunday and eat them as a healthy breakfast for an entire week. Never — we repeat: never — stick them in the freezer unless you want to deal with tough, watery egg whites.

Once you perfect the basics, find new ways to add this protein and vitamin-packed staple into your diet. Or simply turn them into a fun activity for kids by dyeing and decorating them. Or both!

If You Have Leftovers, Try These Delicious Egg Recipes

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Kate Merker Kate Merker is the Chief Food Director and oversees the team that produces all the food content appearing in several of Hearst's top titles, including Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Prevention, Woman's Day, and Country Living.

Amanda Garrity Associate Lifestyle Editor As the Associate Lifestyle Editor for GoodHousekeeping.com, Amanda oversees gift guides and covers home, holidays, food, and other lifestyle news.

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