Note: Several readers have requested posts on topics that have already appeared here – this is one of those posts that has been updated and republished.
It has taken several years, and many failed experiments – but I’ve finally found a way to make hard-boiled eggs (that can be peeled easily and perfectly) from fresh eggs!
I love hard-boiled eggs (and egg salad, and deviled eggs), but fresh eggs are nearly impossible to peel after you hard boil them. Eggs from the grocery store are typically six weeks old before they reach us (so they’re easy to peel when boiled) whereas ours are very fresh (they never last more than a few days after the chickens lay them) so are very difficult to peel.
I’ve tried every method I came across to produce hard-boiled eggs from fresh eggs (that could be peeled easily) and, I believe I’ve got the answer – steam them instead. It’s pretty much foolproof – finally! It’s always seemed ridiculous to me that we’ve got the healthiest, freshest eggs – but no way to enjoy them hard-boiled.
Bring a small amount of water to a boil in the bottom of a steamer or pot that you can sit a steaming basket within. Place the eggs in the steaming basket.
Steam the eggs for 20 minutes and then put them into ice water until they’re cool enough to peel. Roll each egg on the counter to break up the shell and peel from the wide end of the egg.
And the result is perfectly peeled eggs! Egg salad and deviled eggs are back on the menu – it’s hard to believe it took me so long to find a solution.
One can also use an electric rice cooker with a steaming tray.
Hi Mathew, Good idea, hadn’t thought of that, but will be giving it a try!
Can you freeze peeled hard boiled eggs?
Hi Piera, I think you can freeze the yolks, but the white part doesn’t do well after being frozen.
Thank you!!! Finally a way to enjoy hard boiled eggs from our chickens! I will pass this along to others!
Hi Michelle, I know it’s great to finally be able to enjoy those fresh eggs!
I struggled with this for a long time also. I few years ago I stumbled across the cuisinart egg cooker at a willimas sonoma outlet and i’ve never looked back. It’s quick and easy to use makes my fresh eggs super easy to peel also. Only limitation is it only does 7 eggs at a time which means if I’m making deviled eggs for a crowd I need to do a couple of batches. It take about 20 minutes per batch.
I actually used the easy-peel method for 2 doz. eggs that I took to a holiday party. I used my veggie steamer basket in my favorite soup pot. Cooking took 20 minutes, cooling just a couple more until I was able to start peeling.
I’ll have to try this next time I get fresh eggs. I always thought it was such a shame to lose half the egg attaches to the shell if we boiled them.
I’m new to having chickens and having our own eggs. I tried the easy-peel hardboiled eggs method this morning. FANTASTIC. If the shells started to tighten up while I was peeling, I just dipped them back into the ice bath and voila!
This method works perfectly every time, even if the eggs come straight from the hens and are still warm! We’ve done it this way five times and wouldn’t change a thing — after all, why go back to the hard way(s)?
Hi Teda, it’s amazing isn’t it? I struggled so long with the fresh eggs, until this method!
Wow this is a great method that I’m gonna have to try! Thanks.
What an awesome idea! Sounds like it’s easy and works perfectly…..my girls are on strike right now but can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much for sharing it!
I just tried this with fresh eggs and I have never had such an easy time peeling eggs before, they almost came out of the shell by themselves!
So glad everyone is as excited about this method as I was 🙂 I’m so happy, there’s been egg salad in my refrigerator every day since I discovered it!
wonderful! I have a great method, too, but yours is much easier!
I am trying this as I write!! Thank you.
My son taught me that adding 2-3 T. baking soda to the water will also help aid in peeling the shells. I tried it and was amazed that they peeled right off. I will try your steaming method the next time I do eggs, though.
I am SO EXCITED! I LOVE boiled eggs, and have been very frustrated with trying to use fresh eggs. Never could save enough to get “old” ones to boil. Woooo hoooo! Thank God for Lesa and her inquisitive mind!
Thanks for the tip – you bet I’m going to give it a try.
I used this method two days ago and it works great! The whole process is very easy. And instead of the yolks getting boiled to death and turning gray, with whites so hard they’re like rubber, and cracked-up shells oozing out, steamed eggs come out perfect, with perfect texture and color.
Thanks again, Lesa!
Wow. I’ll have to try this. Thanks for posting on the From the Farm Blog Hop – that’s how I found this post.
Michele
It’s the only way in my opinion to get fresh eggs to peel.
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2012/01/hard-steamed-eggs.html
Becky, what does this do for the plant?
I did this for the first time today. I had volunteered to take deviled eggs to a pot luck picnic. Had no “old” eggs to use. This works perfectly. My eggs had no chips in them at all. I shared the tip with the group.
Yep! This is a pretty near perfect solution. Don’t forget to pour the water onto a plant. 🙂
Great info — thanks, Lesa! I’m looking forward to trying this method tomorrow. No more buying old, store-bought factory eggs for hard boiling (or anything else!).