Updated post here. I find the shock method works more consistently for all types of eggs.
Easy to peel hard-boiled eggs seem like a no-brainer. Just boil some eggs and peel, right? Well, it’s the peeling part that can be the big annoyance, especially if you’re trying to use fresh eggs or actually trying to keep your egg whole instead of gouged out from the peeling process. This seemingly simple task turned into a quest for the perfect easy to peel hard boiled egg. Our problem is that most of the methods for “Easy to Peel Hard Boiled Eggs” are formulated for standard grocery store eggs that have been sitting around for awhile and are nearing their expiration date. Many of these methods specifically recommend using older eggs to make them peel easier. This hard boiled steamed method works great with fresh eggs, even farm fresh.
Easy Steam ‘n’ Peel Eggs
Steaming eggs might seem like a strange way to hard-boil eggs, but it truly is the way to go to peel them without fighting with the egg white on fresher brown organic cage free eggs. We have tried steaming standard white shelled cheap grocery store eggs and this method has not worked as well, so be aware this method is for organic cage free eggs. We usually use this method with such eggs from Costco or local farm fresh eggs and it’s worked great.
When we first read of this method we were very skeptical since my husband and I have struggled to get eggs to peel smoothly for years, trying different methods and we didn’t want to switch back to standard white eggs just to get the perfect peel. This method has finally proven itself to us and it’s the only way we hard-boil and peel our eggs now. We use a Steamer Pot to cook the eggs. Yes, it takes a bit longer than the traditional boiling egg method, but it’s worth it if you want to easily peel those fresh eggs! Also, make sure your steamer basket is large enough to fit the eggs in a single layer only, not stacking otherwise the stacked one will not peel well.
Smooth Deviled Eggs are Possible!
For years my husband and I wouldn’t attempt making deviled eggs simply because we dreaded the messy and disappointing peeling process. We tried every trick possible: egg timers, tricks using foil, different boiling methods, peeling cold/hot, even blowing air under the shell after cooking…you name it, we probably tried it. It was impossible for us to get good looking and easy to peel eggs. It was frustrating enough for us to quit even trying for a while until we heard of the steaming trick. Now we’re back to enjoying eggs and even making those tasty little deviled egg treats on occasion.
We’d love to hear how these peel for you using different types of eggs, so please share your comments with us. Happy Peeling!
Katia
We use local farm fresh eggs or Costco Brown Cage Free Organic Eggs usually. We have also tried it with grocery store fresh brown organic eggs and they worked just as well. We can not guarantee how this method will work on standard non-organic white eggs. Also, times many vary at higher elevations. We use this method at sea-level.
5 minPrep Time
15 minCook Time
20 minTotal Time

Ingredients
- Whole Cage Free Organic Brown Eggs
- Steamer Pot with Steamer basket or steamer basket to insert into pot
- *Ice Bath (If making Cold Hard-Boiled Eggs)
- *Colander (If making Warm Hard-Boiled Eggs)
Instructions
- Boil about 1 inch of water if using a steamer pot or 1/2 inch if using a low sitting steamer basket. (you do not want the boiling water to roll over the eggs)
- Gently place eggs in steamer basket, but SINGLE LAYER ONLY! (Make sure your basket or pot is big enough to fit them this way, I can steam about 18 eggs in a large pasta strainer pot)
- Once boiling has begun and water steaming well, place basket into pot, cover with lid and set timer for 15 minutes.
- While eggs steaming make a large ice bath in a bowl. (This is only if you're making cold hard-boiled eggs like for a dish or deviled eggs)
- Once eggs done steaming for full time use tongs to gently take out eggs immediately and transfer them into the ice bath. Let them sit in the ice bath for 5 minutes.
- After the time, gently start tapping and rolling eggs to crack the shells and start peeling.
- Remove eggs from steamer basket with tongs and place into colander, running cold water over them for a minute or two, (once they're cool enough to not burn your hands) gently start tapping and rolling eggs to crack the shells to peel.
- You should have perfectly peeling eggs!
Notes
Disclaimer- We do not guarantee how standard fresh non-organic white eggs will turn out or using this method. Also, we are at sea level so that may also vary results.
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