What if I told you there was a way to cook hard-boiled eggs that made them so easy to peel that you could do it one-handed? If you feel a bit skeptical about this claim, you wouldn’t be the only one, because that’s exactly how I felt until I gave the method a try for myself!
I originally came across the idea a couple of years ago, when I was reading through comments on one of my older blog posts. I came across one from a reader named Pia who mentioned that she had recently tried steaming eggs instead of boiling them, and that the steamed eggs had been easier to peel by far.
Related: How to Make Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
Steamed eggs? I’d literally never heard of such a thing before reading Pia’s comment, which of course meant that I had to try it out immediately! :-)
Check out this hard-boiled egg hack in action in my video at the end of the post!
However, my timing wasn’t exactly ideal because I forgot that I had an important phone call coming up until I was already in the midst of my egg steaming project! (And unfortunately, the call was sufficiently important that “I’m in the middle of steaming some eggs!” didn’t seem like it would hold up as an excuse to reschedule.)
But anyway, the timer for the eggs went off while I was on my important call, but I was worried about just letting them sit there until I was done. So I started attempting to peel the eggs with one hand while holding my phone in the other, and to my great surprise, I was able to peel them all single-handedly without any issues at all!
Not that I think everyone needs a solution that enables them to peel eggs with one hand, but it’s nice to know that you could if you wanted to, right? ;-) It also just goes to show how much of a difference this particular method makes in the “peel-ability” of hard-cooked eggs!
Here’s how it’s done, so that you can give it a try at home and experience the difference for yourself!
How to Steam Eggs to Make Them Easy to Peel
You’ll need:
- Raw eggs
- Steamer basket
- Pot
- Water
Directions:
Place the steamer basket in the bottom of a pot, then add water until it starts to come up through the bottom of the steamer. (You’re aiming for just enough water that it can boil for 15 to 20 minutes without drying up on you.)
Place the eggs in the steamer basket and cover the pot with a lid.
Bring the water to a boil, then turn down the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
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After steaming, remove the eggs from the pot and run them under cold water for several minutes to stop the cooking process. (You could also transfer them to a prepared ice bath to achieve the same result.)
Once the eggs are cool, just crack, peel, and enjoy! The shells should slide right off quickly and easily. (Why, you ask? See below for a brief explanation!)
If you don’t want to peel the eggs right away, you can store them in your refrigerator to keep them fresh for a few days.
Why Are Steamed Eggs Easier to Peel?
After I experienced just how easy it was to peel steamed eggs, I couldn’t help but wonder why and how it actually worked! So I did some research and eventually found the following explanation that helped satisfy my curiosity.
Because eggshells are permeable, the tiny water molecules trapped inside the steaming pot can penetrate the shell and cook the egg inside. The hot steam also causes the proteins in the egg whites to shrink, which makes the whites pull away from the membrane lining the shell.
Once the membrane has loosened its grip on the egg white, the egg becomes much easier to peel after it’s done cooking (not to mention a lot less frustrating for the one doing the peeling!) ;-)
What’s your preferred way to cook eggs in the shell?
Can they be steamed in a microwave?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My father grew White Leghorn chickens and we had a hatchery where we sold eggs when I was a young sprite. My summer job was washing and packing the eggs in cases for transport. We always put the eggs in the egg flat with the small end down. (It always bugs me when I open a carton of eggs from the grocery and find the small end up.) The reason for doing this is because the round end has an air sack. The eggs will stay fresher longer if stored with the small end pointing down or the egg lays on its side. When peeling boiled eggs, start by cracking the round end first. This breaks the air sack and releases the vacuum that the membrane has on the egg. Then I gently roll the egg on a wet paper towel and the shell will basically peal off on it’s own. Then I just pick up the paper towel with the shells in it and drop it in the trash.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m always asked to supply 4 dozen deviled eggs for various church affairs. I’ve hated doing so the past few times because of the peeling difficulty . Jillee’s steam hint sounds great but where do I find giant steamer baskets? Was ready to say no to the next egg request but will gladly try your method. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Think spaghetti pot! I have a pot that you cook the spaghetti in a basket so when it is done you lift the basket out of the water in thw pot to drain the pasta.
Your kind statement made lots of good sense to me. Thank you very much.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have found that my rice cooker makes great steamed eggs as well. When I make potato salad I cook the potatoes and eggs at the same time in the rice cooker. I put the potatoes in the bottom with the water and the eggs in the steam basket on top. I set the cooking timer and walk away. When the timer beeps I take the eggs out and put them in cold water while dealing with the potatoes. It works like a charm.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is so clever!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m more excited to know that I actually have a steamer basket. Must of been a gift because I had no clue what it was ~ LOL. Nonetheless… I am going to go try this now.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s cool , this method. I also found on Jillees blog how to do them in the insta pot.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a steamer and have been doing this for years now. It works like a charm. Put in the steamer, turn on the timer and I have plenty of time to do other chores!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I really like your new idea for making hard boiled eggs. Can’t wait to try it! How long can you keep hard boiled eggs in the fridge? Peeled or left in the shell?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the great ideas. Do you have any idea how to do them soft-boiled, or would that not work?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just steam them for about 7-10 minutes instead of 15 :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee-
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t doubt the ease of steaming eggs, but I have to add something else. I have found that it’s the immediate immersion into ice cold water that makes my eggs easy to peel! This step makes all the difference. Don’t let them cool off first. I usually have a bowl full of water and ice cubes ready to put the eggs in. It works like a charm!
Very interesting concept. Thanks for sharing
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That is so something I will have to try.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have my own chickens and trying to get shells of fresh eggs – oh man!
I have chickens, too. I’ve tried steaming them, baking them, and everything else….but fresh eggs are nearly impossible to peel cleanly. I now keep an egg container in the fridge, and leave them a week or two before I steam them. It helps a little.
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