Steaming Hard-Boiled Eggs: A Quick, Easy Breakfast Solution

Steaming is a great way to cook hard-boiled eggs, as it makes them easier to peel. The process is simple: add about an inch of water to a pot, place a steamer basket inside, and bring the water to a boil. Then, add your eggs to the basket, cover, and steam for 10-15 minutes, depending on how hard you like your eggs. Once they're done, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool them down before peeling. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs!

How to set up your steamer

To set up your steamer, you'll need a pot or saucepan, a steamer basket, and water.

First, fill the pot or saucepan with about an inch of water. You can go up to 2-3 inches, but make sure the water level stays just below the steamer basket. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a small metal colander or sieve instead.

Next, place the steamer basket into the pot. If your basket has collapsible legs, make sure to prop them up. Cover the pot with a lid.

Now, turn the stove on to medium or high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, you're ready to add the eggs to the steamer basket and start the steaming process.

Note that it's important to cover the pot while heating and steaming to prevent steam from escaping.

How long to steam hard-boiled eggs

Steaming is a great way to cook hard-boiled eggs, and it makes them easier to peel, too! The length of time you need to steam your eggs depends on a few factors, including how soft or firm you like your eggs, how many eggs you are cooking, and the size of the eggs.

Preparation

First, prepare your pot and steamer basket. If you are using a steamer basket, fill a saucepan with enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer basket (about 1 inch of water). If you are not using a steamer basket, just fill the bottom of a saucepan with 1/2 inch of water.

Cooking

Heat the water on high until it is boiling and producing steam. Then, turn off the heat and gently place your eggs in the steamer basket or the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat back on to medium-high, and cover the pot.

Timing

For soft-boiled eggs, set your timer for 6 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs with a still translucent and bright yolk, steam for 10 minutes. For cooked-through hard-boiled eggs, steam for 12 to 15 minutes. If you are cooking more than one layer of eggs, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

Cooling

When your eggs are done steaming, remove them to a bowl of icy cold water or run cold water directly into the pan to quickly cool them down. If serving cold, you can add ice cubes to the water to help the eggs cool faster.

How to cool hard-boiled eggs

To cool hard-boiled eggs, you'll need to prepare an ice bath. Fill a bowl with ice and water, or simply use cold water. As soon as your eggs are done steaming, transfer them to the ice bath. Allow them to cool for at least a few minutes before peeling. If you want the eggs to be completely cold, let them rest in the ice bath for about 15 minutes.

To peel the eggs, gently tap them on your countertop to crack the shell all over. You can then use a thin stream of running water to help get under the shell and lift it off the egg. Alternatively, roll the egg along your countertop and then run it under cold water to peel.

It's important to cool hard-boiled eggs quickly to prevent overcooking and to achieve the desired yolk consistency. Additionally, chilling the eggs immediately after steaming ensures they retain their shape, without any air-space indentations on the wider end.

How to peel hard-boiled eggs

To peel hard-boiled eggs, start by removing the eggs from the steamer and placing them in a bowl of ice water until they are cool enough to handle. You can then make a small crack on the large end of each egg and place them back into the ice water for about 20 minutes.

To peel the eggs, gently tap them all over to thoroughly crack the shell, then remove the shell under a thin stream of running water. The water helps to get under the shell and lift it off the egg. You can also try rolling the egg gently between your hands to loosen the shell, before peeling it off.

Some people also suggest adding a bit of baking soda to the water prior to boiling, as this increases the pH level of the egg whites, which makes them easier to peel. Alternatively, you can try boiling the eggs with vinegar, as the acid dissolves some of the calcium carbonate in the eggshell, making it softer and easier to peel.

How to store hard-boiled eggs

Once you've steamed your hard-boiled eggs, it's important to store them properly to keep them fresh and safe to eat. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to store hard-boiled eggs:

Storing Unpeeled Hard-Boiled Eggs:

• Immediately after steaming, transfer the eggs to a bowl of cold water or an ice bath to help them cool down quickly. This step is important as it expedites the cooling process and ensures the eggs are safe to eat.
• Once the eggs have cooled, dry them thoroughly with paper towels. Removing moisture is crucial to prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Place the unpeeled eggs in an airtight, hard-sided storage container or a resealable storage bag. If using a bag, ensure it is sealed tightly.
• Store the container or bag of eggs on the middle shelf of your refrigerator, where the temperature is most stable and consistent.
• Unpeeled hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Storing Peeled Hard-Boiled Eggs:

• If you prefer to peel your hard-boiled eggs before storing, follow the same initial steps as above: transfer the eggs to a bowl of cold water or an ice bath immediately after steaming.
• Peel the eggs under running water.
• Place the peeled eggs in a bowl and fill the bowl with just enough cold water to cover the eggs.
• Store the bowl of peeled eggs, uncovered, in the refrigerator for two to three days. Replace the water with fresh, cold water every day to keep it from going stale.
• Peeled hard-boiled eggs have a shorter shelf life than unpeeled eggs, so it's best to consume them within a few days.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid leaving hard-boiled eggs at room temperature for more than two hours, as this can lead to spoilage and the growth of harmful bacteria.
• Do not store hard-boiled eggs in the freezer, as the egg whites will turn tough and watery upon defrosting.
• If you notice any slimy or chalky texture on the shell or an unpleasant odour, discard the eggs immediately, as these are signs of spoilage.

Frequently asked questions