The perfect hard boiled egg is easy to peel with a creamy yolk. This recipe explains how to make hard boil eggs on the stove top and in an Instant Pot.

Instant Pot vs Stove Top:

When making hard boiled eggs, my recommendation is to use the Instant Pot. If you don't have an Instant Pot, I will also include directions on how to make them on the stove top.

When using the Instant Pot, the results are extremely consistent and the eggs will turn out perfect every time.
The Instant Pot makes the eggs incredibly easy to peel. In fact, many times the egg will slide out of it's shell.
Super fresh eggs are easy to peel when cooked in the Instant Pot too. The eggs in the photos below were no more than a day old. I know this because they came from my own chickens.
When hard boiling eggs on the stove top, I find they are very difficult to peel unless they are several weeks old.

How to make Instant Pot hard boiled eggs:

I use the 5-5-5 method which I will explain in depth below.

Using the rack that came with your Instant Pot or a strainer insert, gently place your eggs on the rack (photo 1). Add one cup of cold water (photo 2).
Close the lid and cook the eggs at high pressure for 5 minutes (photo3). Be sure that you have the valve set correctly so that it comes to pressure (photo 4). Once the 5 minutes are done, your Instant Pot will automatically go to the Keep Warm setting. Allow the eggs to remain for 5 minutes and then release the pressure.
Open the lid. The eggs may have cracked (photo 5). This will just make them easier to peel. Transfer the hot eggs to an ice water bath (photo 6) for at least 5 minutes.

How to make them on the stove top:

Place the eggs in a pot and cover with cold water so that the water level is about an inch above the top of the eggs (photo 1).
I like to add some rice wine vinegar (photo 2) and salt (photo 3) to the pot. The vinegar helps the whites stay in the shell in case it cracks while cooking and the salt supposedly helps them peel, although I find it doesn't help much with super fresh eggs.
Bring the water to a full boil (photo 4) for about a minute. Then, turn off heat and cover (photo 5). Allow eggs to sit in pot like this for 15 minutes (note: time will vary depending on stove).
Transfer eggs to an ice water bath (photo 6) until completely cold.

Cooking Tips:

If using the Instant Pot:

Make sure the seal on the lid is properly fit and the pressure valve is in the correct position. If it doesn't properly come to pressure, this method won't work.
I prefer the 5-5-5 method, but you can vary the times based on how done you like your yolks. This method, however, will create perfectly cooked, creamy yellow yolks.
Do not forget about your eggs once they have finished cooking and it's on the warm setting. I did this once and they sat for an hour. The eggs were inedible!

If using the Stove Top:

The type of stove you use will impact the resting period. If you have a gas range, keep the pot on the burner for 15 minutes. If you have an electric range, you will need to move it off of the hot burner after a couple minutes because it remains too hot. If you have an induction burner, you will need to reduce the heat to low for a couple minutes before turning off.
Take care not to over crowd the eggs as they may crack while boiling.
Old eggs will peel better when using this method.

Peeling tips:

Every egg has a small pocket of air in between the shell and the egg. This is most often found at the round end opposite the pointy end.

Give that spot a gentle tap and then peel away the shell.

The easiest way to peel an egg is to separate the membrane from the egg. I find the easiest way to do this is to give the egg a gentle squeeze under running water. You should see the membrane pull away from the egg, and if you can get running water in that area, it will peel away easier.

This process is much more difficult when you cook the eggs on the stove top. The Instant Pot, however, steams the eggs under pressure which makes the membrane stick to the shell instead of the egg, thus making it incredibly easy to peel.

Best recipes to make with hard boiled eggs:

Besides eating them as a quick snack with some salt and pepper, I love to make both deviled eggs and egg salad when I hard boil my eggs. Here are some of my favorite recipes.

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Ingredients

▢ 12 eggs
▢ 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (not needed if using Instant Pot)
▢ ½ teaspoon salt (not needed if using Instant Pot)

Instructions

Instant Pot (recommended):

Arrange eggs in single layer on rack. Add 1 cup cold water. Close lid and make sure pressure valve is seated correctly.
Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Once done, allow eggs to sit undisturbed while Instant Pot transitions to Keep Warm Setting. Release pressure and open lid.
Transfer eggs to ice water bath for at least 5 minutes. Peel and enjoy.

Stove top:

Arrange eggs in a single layer in a pot. Cover with at least an additional inch of cold water. Add vinegar and salt to water.
Turn heat on high and heat, uncovered, until the water starts to boil. Don’t cheat here. Wait for a real boil.
Cover and turn heat off. Allow to sit in covered pot for 15 minutes. Use that kitchen timer because you will forget.
Drain off hot water and immediately submerge eggs into ice water. Ensure there’s enough ice so that it doesn’t all melt. Allow to sit in ice water for at least 15 minutes.

Notes