Steaming Boiled Eggs: The Perfect Technique For Beginners

Steaming is a great way to cook hard-boiled eggs that are easy to peel and have tender whites. To steam eggs, add about an inch of water to a medium saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil. Then, add the eggs to a steamer basket, cover, and continue cooking for 6 minutes for soft-boiled eggs or 12 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. If serving cold, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to cool for at least 15 minutes before peeling.

How to prepare the pot and steamer basket

To prepare the pot and steamer basket for steamed boiled eggs, start by filling a medium-sized saucepan or pot with water. You'll need to add enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer basket, which is typically about 1 inch of water. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can fill the bottom of the saucepan with 1/2 inch of water instead.

Next, place the steamer basket inside the pot. Make sure the legs of the basket are propped up if it has collapsible legs. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. You want the water to be boiling and producing steam before adding the eggs.

Once the water is boiling, it's time to add the eggs to the steamer basket. It's best to arrange the eggs in a single layer if possible, as this ensures more even cooking. However, you can stack them or cook them in batches if needed. Cover the pot to trap the steam inside.

How to boil water and add eggs

To make steamed hard-boiled eggs, start by filling a medium-sized pot or large saucepan with about an inch of water. You can use a steamer basket or simply fill the bottom of the pot with water. Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Cover the pot with a lid to bring the water to a boil.

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the eggs into the steamer basket or directly into the pot. If using a steamer basket, place it inside the pot and then add the eggs. It's best to arrange the eggs in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Cover the pot and continue cooking over medium-high heat.

The cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For soft-boiled eggs with runny yolks, steam for 6-8 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs with fully cooked yolks, steam for 12-15 minutes. Adjust the cooking time as needed, depending on factors such as altitude, egg size, and the initial temperature of the eggs.

When the eggs are done to your liking, remove them from the heat and transfer them to a bowl of icy cold water to stop the cooking process. Let the eggs cool for at least a few minutes before peeling. For cold eggs, it is recommended to rest them in the ice water for at least 15 minutes.

To peel the eggs, gently tap the shell all over to create cracks, then remove the shell under a thin stream of running water. The water helps to lift the shell off the egg, making it easier to peel.

How long to steam eggs for

The length of time you should steam eggs for depends on several factors, including how soft or firm you want the yolks to be, the size of the eggs, the altitude of your location, and how vigorously the water is boiling.

For soft-boiled eggs, steam 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 12-15 minutes. If your eggs are stacked on top of each other, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the steaming time.

If you are using a steamer basket, fill a saucepan with enough water to reach the bottom of the basket (about 1 inch or so). If you are not using a steamer basket, fill the bottom of a saucepan with 1/2 inch of water. Heat the water on high until it is boiling and producing steam. Turn off the heat and gently place the eggs in the steamer basket or the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat back on to medium-high, and cover the pot. Set your timer according to your desired yolk consistency.

Once the timer goes off, remove the eggs with a spoon and place them in a bowl of ice water or run cold water directly into the pan to quickly cool them down.

How to chill steamed eggs

To chill steamed eggs, you'll first need to prepare a bowl of ice water. Fill a bowl with ice and water, or add a tray of ice cubes to a large bowl and fill it with water.

Once your steamed eggs are done cooking, immediately transfer them to the ice water to cool. Let them rest for a few minutes before peeling. If you want to chill the eggs through, let them rest in the ice water for at least 15 minutes.

To peel the eggs, gently tap them all over to crack the shell, then remove the shell under a thin stream of running water. The water will help get under the shell and lift it off the egg.

You can store shell-on cooked eggs in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Store peeled eggs in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

How to peel hard steamed eggs

Steaming hard-boiled eggs is a great way to ensure they are easy to peel. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to peel hard steamed eggs:

Firstly, it is important to prepare the eggs for steaming. This involves placing a steamer insert into a saucepan and adding around one inch of water to the pan. The water should then be brought to a boil. It is important to ensure that the water is boiling vigorously to ensure even cooking.

Next, carefully place the eggs into the steamer insert. It is best to use eggs straight from the refrigerator, as these will be easier to peel. The number of eggs placed in the steamer will affect the cooking time, so it is best to place them in a single layer if possible. Cover the pan and continue to boil the water. For hard-boiled eggs, this process should take around 12 minutes.

Once the eggs are cooked, they should be immediately cooled. This can be done by placing them in a bowl of icy cold water or by running cold water directly over them. This step is important as it ensures the eggs are easy to handle and also helps to stop the cooking process.

Finally, the eggs can be peeled. This is done by gently tapping the eggs all over to crack the shell and then removing the shell under a thin stream of running water. The water helps to get under the shell and lift it off the egg.

By following these steps, you will be able to achieve perfectly peeled, hard-steamed eggs with tender whites.

Frequently asked questions