The Secret to Perfect Hard (or Soft) Boiled Eggs

How hard can it be to boil eggs?  Well, if you've ever had shells that stick when you try to peel them, or green rings around the yolks, you know it can be one of life's little enduring annoyances.  My mother taught me to put eggs into a saucepan with cool water and bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.  After 15 minutes are up, run the eggs under cold water for a minute or two.  After I had a particularly frustrating episode with sticky shells that ended up shredding the eggs into lumpy blobs I decided there had to be a better way.  I did some research and discovered an article written by a guy who tried several different techniques.  His recommendation was to boil the water first, gently lower the eggs into the water, time for precisely 11 minutes, then immediately put the eggs in an ice water bath for 15 minutes.  It's pretty similar to my old method except the temperature change is much faster on both ends. I tried that several times and it did cure the sticky shell and green ring issues, but a few of the eggs tended to crack when lowered into the boiling water.  I did more research and discovered another article by the same guy who said his new (and better) technique was to steam the eggs rather than boil them.  I tried that but still an occasional egg cracked when added to the steamer basket.  I finally figured out the problem - I was taking the eggs straight out of the refrigerator so they were cold when added to the heat.  Once I started taking the eggs out in advance to warm up, the problem was solved.

Note that this technique works for both soft and hard boiled eggs - the only difference is how long you steam them.  If you like those Instagram-worthy eggs where the yolks are just a tiny bit gooey, take them out a minute or two earlier than the hard-boiled time.

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Perfect Hard (or Soft) Boiled Eggs

Eggs - as many as you want
Steamer Insert
Large saucepan with lid

Take the eggs out of the refrigerator at least an hour before cooking.  Put 1" of water in the saucepan and add the steamer insert, making sure the water level is below the insert.  Heat on high until the water starts steaming, then gently add the eggs to the steamer insert.  Turn to medium, cover, and time for 6 minutes for soft boiled eggs and 11 minutes for hard boiled eggs.(If you like the center of your hard boiled eggs to be a little soft, time for a minute or two less.)

For soft boiled eggs, remove at the end of the time and serve hot.

For hard boiled eggs, prepare an ice bath (a large bowl filled with cold water and ice) while the eggs are cooking.  Remove the eggs at the end of the time and immediately place in the ice bath for at least 15 minutes.  Remove, dry, and store in the refrigerator until ready to shell and serve.