How to make perfect hard-cooked eggs

There are several ways to hard-cook eggs. Some methods are easier, faster, or taste better. After experimenting with several approaches, I have discovered my favorite – and most reliable – method to get perfect hard-cooked eggs.

Pros & cons of other methods

One of the most common approaches is putting eggs in boiling water and cooking for about 12 minutes. This method is simple and produces easy-to-peel eggs. The texture, however, can be a bit rubbery.

Another method is to put eggs in cold water, bring them to a boil, remove them from the heat, and let them sit covered for 10-12 minutes. This method produces eggs with a velvety texture, but they can be nearly impossible to peel because the inner membrane fuses to the shell.

My favorite method

If you are looking for a way to hard-cook eggs that are easy to peel and have a great texture, I recommend using an Instant Pot. This approach doesn’t require watching the stove and it only takes a few minutes. Technically speaking, using an Instant Pot steams the eggs instead of boiling them. This cooks the egg more gently, resulting in a more tender egg white and creamier yolk.

How to prepare

1. Place the steam rack in the Instant Pot. Add 12 eggs and 1 cup water.
2. Close and lock the Instant Pot lid. Ensure the vent is closed.
3. Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, make an ice bath in a large bowl.
5. When the 5-minute timer beeps, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for about 3 minutes, then manually release any extra pressure (longer or shorter times determine how cooked you prefer the yolk).
6. Move the eggs to the ice bath to stop the cooking.
7. Store as-is or shell the eggs before storing (I prefer to shell them for less effort later). They will keep for about 7 days in the fridge in an air-tight container.

While an Instant Pot is great for multiple purposes, using one to make hard-cooked eggs has been a great asset for my food prep. (It’s also perfect for upcoming Easter eggs!).

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