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


- Place the steam rack in the Instant Pot. Add 12 eggs and 1 cup water.
- Close and lock the Instant Pot lid. Ensure the vent is closed.
- Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make an ice bath in a large bowl.
- 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).
- Move the eggs to the ice bath to stop the cooking.
- 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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