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Home » Recipes » Chicken » Easy Peel Eggs

January 28, 2025

Easy Peel Eggs

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A pot of water and white vinegar are all that's needed for easy peel eggs. Farm-fresh eggs or older eggs, the egg shells will slide right off.  via @foodtasticmomA pot of water and white vinegar are all that's needed for easy peel eggs. Farm-fresh eggs or older eggs, the egg shells will slide right off.  via @foodtasticmomA pot of water and white vinegar are all that's needed for easy peel eggs. Farm-fresh eggs or older eggs, the egg shells will slide right off.  via @foodtasticmomA pot of water and white vinegar are all that's needed for easy peel eggs. Farm-fresh eggs or older eggs, the egg shells will slide right off.  via @foodtasticmom

A pot of water and white vinegar are all that’s needed for easy-peel eggs. Farm-fresh eggs or older eggs, the egg shells will slide right off.
(Originally published 10/1/2016 and updated for content 1/28/2025)

If you like this recipe, check out my Deviled Eggs with Relish next!

a bowl of one dozen hard boiled eggs with two of then sliced in half
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Over the years I’ve made a lot of hard boiled eggs. And before discovering my now preferred method, I would sometimes get extremely frustrated with the peeling process. Sometimes the shell would stick to the egg like glue. Leading to a very tedious and time consuming mess. Trying to peel the egg shell off one tiny piece at a time. And removing chunks of egg with it. If you’ve been there too, you have to try this method for perfect hard boiled eggs. It works for both fresh and weeks-old eggs.

More egg recipes

  • Spanish Eggs
  • Air Fryer Poached Eggs
  • Eggs Benedict Breakfast Bake

picture of ingredients needed for easy peel eggs

Ingredients for perfect hard-boiled eggs

  • Eggs – Use large eggs for this recipe. I usually boil a dozen eggs at once. But if your pot is big enough, you can boil more. Just be sure they can rest in a single layer on the bottom. You don’t want to crowd the eggs.
  • Vinegar – White vinegar is my personal preference, because it’s cheap. But you could also use apple cider vinegar if that’s what you have.
  • Water – Use about 8 cups of water to boil your eggs. Or enough water to cover them.

Instructions

My recipe is for 12 eggs. You’ll need 8 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Bring the water and vinegar to a gentle boil first. Then use a pasta server (or similar slotted spoon) to place eggs into the boiling water. Gently boil for 14 minutes. Rinse in cold water and add some ice to create an ice bath. Allow the eggs to cool a bit in the cold water, then peel immediately.  For full instructions and a video tutorial, keep scrolling to the bottom for my free printable recipe card.

a collage of eggs soaking in ice water bath and then an egg peeled neatly in my hand

Simple tips

  • To help prevent the cold eggs from cracking as you lower them into the hot water, set your eggs out ahead of time. Get your eggs out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you plan to boil them.
  • I have found that using a nylon pasta server (nonstick) is the best way to submerge the eggs one at a time into the hot water.
  • The best method for cracking the shell is to start with the pointy of the egg. Give it one good tap on the counter to crack it. Then crack the fat end of the egg. And finally hold the egg and gently tap it on the counter all the way around the sides. This should make the shell slide off in one piece after you get it started by separating a little of the shell membrane from the cooked egg white.
  • I like my eggs hard cooked. But if you prefer “jammy eggs” with a softer yolk, cook the eggs for 8 minutes instead of 14 minutes.

a picture of the pointy end of the egg cracked

Serving suggestions

Having a batch of eggs, peeled and ready to go for the week is an easy snack. One large egg contains about 6 grams of protein. I like slicing an egg on top of avocado toast. Or top crackers with a little mayo and slices of hard boiled egg. Add them to any salad. Or to a bowl of ramen. Or make classic egg salad sandwiches.

Storage directions

Store your peeled hard boiled eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Do not freeze hard boiled eggs.

two hard boiled eggs sliced in half on a plate and topped with salt and cracked pepper

Kitchen tools

  • I use a stockpot with glass lid similar to this to boil my eggs.
  • Here is the pasta server I own, perfect for lowering the eggs into the hot water.

 

a bowl of a dozen eggs just peeled, with two of them sliced in half
Print Pin

Easy Peel Eggs

A pot of water and white vinegar are all that's needed for easy peel eggs. Farm-fresh eggs or older eggs, the egg shells will slide right off.
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword easy peel eggs
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes minutes
Total Time 19 minutes minutes
Servings 12
Calories 72kcal
Author Jill McOwen

Equipment

  • 1 Stockpot

Ingredients

  • 12 large eggs
  • 8 cups water
  • 2 tbsp white vinegar

Instructions

  • Remove the eggs from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Add the water and vinegar to a stockpot and bring it to a gentle boil.
  • Use a pasta server to gently lower the eggs one at a time into the hot water.
  • Simmer/gently boil the eggs for 14 minutes. If you'd like a softer yolk, cook them for less time.
  • Rinse the cooked eggs in the same pot under cold water until they are cool. Add some ice to water to keep them cool as you peel them.
  • Peel the eggs immediately. Be sure and crack each end first, then gently crack the sides before removing the peel.
  • Store the peeled hard cooked eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.4g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 69mg | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

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A pot of water and white vinegar are all that's needed for easy peel eggs. Farm-fresh eggs or older eggs, the egg shells will slide right off. 

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Found In: appetizers, Chicken

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says

    October 1, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    This is great – I love hard boiled eggs! You say “for several days” – do you think they’d last a full week or will they dry out too much? I usually hard boil a dozen eggs on the weekend and my toddler and I eat them throughout the following week. I’ve always peeled them when we eat them because I thought they’d dry out too much otherwise!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      October 1, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      Right, I used to peel them when we’d eat them too. But most times I’d end up with peels sticking to the egg and a mutilated egg 🙂 So far the longest a dozen has lasted for us (with four people eating) is 3 days. And they were fine. I put a couple of layers of damp paper towels in the bottom of my container. They taste great! Not sure about a week though. You could just do six at a time. To me the convenience of reaching in for an already peeled egg makes me eat more!

      Reply
      • Wendy says

        October 25, 2017 at 12:33 pm

        If I only boil 6 eggs (I live alone) do I cut water & vinegar in half?

        Reply
        • foodtasticmom says

          November 16, 2017 at 10:56 pm

          Sorry for the late reply. I’ve never done only six eggs but as long as water and vinegar is about an inch above the eggs you are good.

          Reply
  2. Dan from Platter Talk says

    October 1, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    That is one perfectly cooked egg! Beautiful. I will have to try it your way : ) My neighbors have chickens and are always giving me eggs. Thanks.

    Reply
  3. Amanda Kanashiro says

    October 1, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    I’ll have to try this. I wish I had a neighbor raising chickens next door giving me fresh eggs. Maybe I don’t…That could be a problem in these apartments 🙂

    Reply
  4. Megan Marlowe says

    October 1, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    There is nothing worse than trying to peel and egg and being left with, well, nothing…can’t wait to try your trick to perfect peeled eggs every time!

    Reply
  5. Carol says

    June 7, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    I buy fresh farm eggs and their shells are harder. Was told to take 1/2 cylinder of salt ( a lot) and I put the salt in cold water and dissolve it. Put eggs in pan. Turn heat on and bring to a rolling boil. Immediately put lid on pan and take off the heat. Let set for 15 min. Then transfer the eggs into a metal bowl and run cold water over the eggs. My pans say not to put cold water in a hot pan. Run under cold water and peel as soon as you can handle. It works perfect. No green around the yoke either.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      June 8, 2017 at 3:12 pm

      Great suggestions. Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Geetika says

    August 28, 2017 at 2:48 am

    Boil eggs is a easy method and common to eveyone,but some tricks and tips are quite good.Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  7. jducca says

    September 3, 2017 at 4:59 am

    Yes, my mom used this same method for years, and it works! We lived close to an Amish community, so I wonder if this is who my mom may have learned it from.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      October 6, 2017 at 11:43 pm

      That’s interesting. I’m thankful to whoever figured it out, that’s for sure!

      Reply
  8. Nichole says

    September 25, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    I will definitely have to try this method although is there any significance to boiling the eggs for 14 minutes? I prefer a little softer boiled egg. I would assume that I would just cut back on cooking time but I’d be disappointed in myself if I was wrong and have them be wasted. Thank you.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      October 6, 2017 at 11:40 pm

      I think the 14 minutes is a fully hard boiled egg. There’s a great photo chart at this link showing you the interior of eggs cooked from 3 minutes to 13 minutes – https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/how-to/article/how-to-boil-an-egg

      Reply
  9. Linda Miller says

    November 27, 2017 at 9:57 am

    I agree chill eggs immediatelt in ice after cooking for 10 minutes
    I purchased the Egg Stripper on HSN
    Peels 5 eggs in under 10 seconds and it works great
    Might make those hard boiled egg lovers life much easier
    Definitely worth checking out if interested

    Reply
  10. Kathy says

    December 10, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Store bought eggs are already weeks old.
    Is it the vinegar that helps with the peeling or is it used as a cleaner/disinfect ent?

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      December 11, 2017 at 6:09 pm

      Eggs from the store are usually delivered between one and seven days from leaving the farm. The 45-day old myth that I also have seen floating around is simply not true. See this article (http://www.askthefarmers.com/how-fast-do-eggs-get-delivered-to-grocery-stores/).
      I’m not sure how the science behind this method exactly works but the vinegar works to help when boiling to make the eggs easier to peel. It’s not in the recipe as cleaner or disinfectant as pasteurized eggs are already clean.

      Reply
  11. Brian Jones says

    March 27, 2018 at 11:34 am

    I’ve never heard of that method, sounds good though, must save for next time round

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 27, 2018 at 12:07 pm

      It really is the best way I have found to hard boil eggs.

      Reply
  12. georgie says

    March 27, 2018 at 11:48 am

    how easy is that! i love hard boiled eggs for snack but always end up wasting so much of the actual egg!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 27, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      Exactly – I did too and stopped hard boiling eggs for quite a while before I tried this.

      Reply
  13. Natalie says

    March 27, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    These eggs are cooked perfectly! I have to try your method!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 27, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      You really do!

      Reply
  14. Claudia Lamascolo says

    March 27, 2018 at 12:09 pm

    These are perfect wow I never have good luck peeling the shells off .. great job!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 27, 2018 at 4:52 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  15. Beth says

    March 27, 2018 at 12:12 pm

    When we had our own hens, I used to buy eggs at the grocery store, because they absolutely wouldn’t peel. I wonder if this will work. I’ll have to give it a try!!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 27, 2018 at 4:52 pm

      Please try and come back and let us know if it works on fresh from the home/farm eggs!

      Reply
  16. Heather says

    March 30, 2018 at 5:29 am

    Will they peel as easy if I wait til the next day? We color the eggs in Saturday and I peel in Sunday for deviled eggs for Easter. Thank you

    Reply
  17. Jeshimon says

    October 4, 2019 at 5:40 am

    First time trying these steps and it worked BEAUTIFULLY. Boiled 12 eggs and every single one peeled with such ease. Thanks for this gift.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      October 4, 2019 at 3:53 pm

      Love hearing this. Thank you for the comment!

      Reply
  18. Janyce H McLin says

    December 9, 2019 at 9:22 pm

    My eggs were cool – not ice cold from the fridge, but they also weren’t room temp. Even so, most of them cracked immediately upon immersion in the boiling water. However, after they cooked and I put them into the ice water bath the cracks all sealed up! They peeled like a charm after only 3 minutes in the ice water bath. I will use this method again – so easy!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      December 21, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      Glad to hear it!

      Reply
  19. Patricia says

    January 6, 2020 at 11:34 am

    I just tried this and it worked great. Thank you so much for the tip. I will keep this for sure.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 6, 2020 at 6:04 pm

      Great to hear, thank you!

      Reply
  20. Mabel says

    February 1, 2020 at 8:32 pm

    How can I tell if eggs are fresh or older. I know 1 floats & 1 sinks. Which?

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      February 4, 2020 at 4:39 pm

      If they sink and lay flat they are very fresh. If they float they are actually not good to eat anymore.

      Reply
  21. Margaret Simmons says

    March 14, 2024 at 1:06 pm

    I live at 7,000 feet — any change in cooking time for eggs at this altitude (water boils at 200 degrees)

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 23, 2024 at 1:47 pm

      I wasn’t sure so I had to look it up – https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/high-altitude-cooking#top
      It does say that it can take longer to cook eggs at high altitude. I’m just not sure exactly how much longer to tell you.

      Reply
  22. S West says

    March 29, 2024 at 9:33 am

    I just followed this method.and all I can say is WOW!! Eggs peeled so easily and quickly. Follow directions as written and you won’t be disappointed.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 29, 2024 at 10:39 am

      So happy my method worked for you. I appreciate you taking the time to comment!

      Reply
  23. Kathy says

    March 29, 2024 at 10:55 pm

    Wow! It was amazing! No more hacked up hard boiled eggs!
    So easy!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      April 1, 2024 at 9:16 pm

      Yay! So happy you found it!

      Reply

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