How to Boil an Egg So That It Peels Easily

Eggs from our chickens

I'm actually quite surprised by the number of times I've seen people ask HOW to boil an egg.  Mostly because the peel doesn't always come off nicely and so what they're really asking is how to boil an egg and make it easy to peel and pretty.

I've seen lots of suggestions.  Vinegar, baking soda, salt, and on and on.  But you don't really need to do any of that.

 All you really need to do is bring your water to a boil

then lower your eggs into the water one at a time with a slotted spoon, and boil your eggs  

I like to boil mine between 12 - 15 minutes depending on the the size.  That's it.  It's really that simple.  You can either then let them cool in the hot water after you've removed them from the heat, you can dump out the water, you can fill it back up with cold water.  It really doesn't matter.  The outcome is the same.  Beautiful, perfectly boiled eggs.  This works for fresh eggs, it works for grocery store eggs, it works for them all!

How about that.  No need to add anything else to the water!

So, since that was so simple, I'll throw in a bonus on how to make deviled eggs. :)

Take your beautifully peeled eggs

Cut them in half and put the yolks in a bowl.

Mash up the yolks

(Notice how dark the yolks are!  That's because they're from our backyard chickens.)

Add in mayo (my son is allergic to soy, so that's why I have safflower mayo), a dab of mustard, and about a teaspoon or so of sweet pickle juice.  

No, I don't have exact proportions.  It will depend on the size of your yolks, the number of eggs, your personal taste preferences.  *I* don't like much mustard, but some people love that being the dominate flavor, just mix in a small amount til you find your personal yum spot.

Mix it all up.

Fill up a sandwich baggie with your yolk mix, cut a hole in the corner and use it as a pastry bag and squeeze it into the egg halves.  Or, use a spoon and spoon it in, but the baggie way is more fun.  :)

Then I sprinkle the top with paprika just to be pretty.  I've even used chipotle pepper powder before for a bit of a smoky pepper flavor.  You can get fancy and sprinkle some cut up bacon, chives, green onions, just about anything you'd like!  

And there ya go.  Easy Peasy.  :)