Peeling hard-boiled eggs can sometimes be tricky, but there’s a simple trick that makes it much easier! Here’s how to do it:
Smart Trick: Add Baking Soda or Vinegar to the Boiling Water
- Add Baking Soda
- For every dozen eggs, add about 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the water before boiling. The baking soda helps to raise the pH of the eggshells, which makes the membrane inside the shell less sticky and easier to peel away. OR
- Add Vinegar
- Alternatively, you can add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to the water. The vinegar helps loosen the eggshells and make peeling easier as well.
Steps for Easy Peeling
- Boil the Eggs
- Place your eggs in a saucepan and cover them with cold water. Add baking soda or vinegar if desired.
- Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 9–12 minutes, depending on how firm you like your yolks.
- Cool the Eggs Quickly
- After boiling, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water or run them under cold water for 5-10 minutes. The rapid cooling helps shrink the egg slightly, making it easier to peel.
- Peel the Eggs
- Tap the egg gently on a hard surface to crack the shell, then roll it to loosen the shell all over. Start peeling from the wider end (which often has a small air pocket), where the shell usually comes off more easily.
Additional Tips
- Older eggs peel more easily than fresh eggs. If you have the time, buy your eggs a week in advance!
- If you’re still having trouble peeling, you can try peeling the eggs under running water to help loosen the shell further.
With these tricks, peeling hard-boiled eggs will be a breeze! 🥚✨