Hard Boiled Egg
A simple, reliable way to cook eggs until the yolks are firm and creamy. These eggs are handy for breakfast plates, lunch boxes, salads, and quick Indian-style snacks with a little salt and pepper.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~1 min
Place the eggs in a saucepan.
Arrange the eggs in a single layer in a saucepan and pour in the water so the eggs are fully covered.
- boil · ~6 min
Bring the water to a boil.
Set the pan over medium-high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil.
- simmer · ~10 min
Cook the eggs until hard boiled.
Once the water boils, lower the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil and cook the eggs for 10 minutes for firm yolks.
TIPAvoid a very violent boil so the shells are less likely to crack. - rest · ~3 min
Cool the eggs in cold water.
Drain the hot water and run cold water over the eggs until cool enough to handle. Peel and serve, or chill and store for later.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Start the eggs in cold water so they heat gradually and are less likely to crack.
- 2Keep the eggs in a single layer; stacking can lead to uneven cooking and bumping.
- 3Once the water reaches a rolling boil, reduce to a gentler boil so the shells stay intact.
- 4Cool the eggs immediately under cold running water to stop the yolks from overcooking.
- 5Peel under lightly running water if the shell is stubborn; it helps lift the membrane cleanly.
- 6For lunch boxes or salads, chill the eggs fully before peeling so they slice more neatly.
- 7Store unpeeled hard-boiled eggs in the fridge and peel only when ready to use for best texture.
Adapt it for your goals.
Masala
Peel and dust the warm eggs with salt, red chilli powder, black pepper, and chaat masala for a simple Indian snack.
jammy centerJammy-center
Cook for a shorter time if you want a softer, slightly jammy yolk for toast, ramen, or grain bowls.
egg chaatEgg-chaat
Quarter the boiled eggs and top with onion, coriander, green chilli, lemon juice, and chaat masala for a quick chaat-style plate.
salad readySalad-ready
Chill, peel, and slice the eggs to add protein and richness to salads, sandwiches, or stuffed rotis.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Good Quality Protein
Eggs provide complete protein, making this simple dish filling and useful for breakfast, snacks, or lunch boxes.
Rich in Key Nutrients
Eggs naturally contain nutrients like choline, vitamin B12, and selenium that support normal body functions.
Naturally Low in Carbs
With just eggs and water, this preparation fits well into lower-carb meal plans without added sugars or starches.
Frequently asked questions
A violent boil or eggs knocking into each other can crack the shells. Keep them in a single layer and lower the heat once the water boils.
