How to Hard Boil {easy to peel} Fresh Eggs

If you've ever tried boiling a fresh egg, you've probably gotten frustrated by how hard they are to peel. Don't give up--perfectly cooked, easy to peel hard boiled eggs are possible!

The fresher the egg, the more the membranes cling to the shell. Store bought eggs are already typically 4+ weeks old by the time you buy them and have a nice air pocket between the membrane and the shell, making for easier peeling. Your fresh eggs have very clingy membranes.

Since our boys could eat two dozen hard boiled eggs a week, I have tinkered with different ways to cook them and found this to be the easiest and most efficient method.

1. Using a push pin, poke two shallow holes in the shell--one in each end--being careful not to poke through the membrane.
2. Boil enough water to cover all the eggs completely.
3. Lower the eggs gently into the boiling water with a slotted spoon or other utensil.
4. Turn down the heat, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes.
5. Prepare an ice bath and gently lower the eggs into the cold water after they're cooked.
6. Let them sit in the ice bath for 15 minutes, then peel and enjoy!

I like to roll one end on the counter to break up the shell, then peel under running water. Don't forget to save the shells for the chickens for a nice calcium booster!