Steaming Boiled Eggs: Using Your Pressure Cooker

Boiling eggs in a pressure cooker is a quick and easy way to make perfect hard-boiled eggs. The eggs are cooked to perfection every time, with golden, set centres and no green rings. The pressure cooker method also makes fresh eggs easy to peel. The process is simple: add water to the pressure cooker, place the desired number of eggs in the steamer basket, seal the cooker, and cook on high pressure for 5-10 minutes, depending on how well you like your eggs done. Once the eggs are done, transfer them to an ice bath to cool. The entire process, from start to finish, should take no longer than 20 minutes.

How to prepare your pressure cooker for steaming boiled eggs

To prepare your pressure cooker for steaming boiled eggs, you will need to follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure you have a wire rack, steamer basket, or trivet that fits inside your pressure cooker pot. You can also use a silicone egg tray or stackable stainless steel egg racks to cook multiple eggs at once. These accessories are important as they prevent the eggs from touching the water or the bottom of the pot, which can cause the shells to crack or burn.

Next, fill your pressure cooker with the minimum amount of water specified by the manufacturer. This is usually around 1 cup of water, but you should always check your pressure cooker's instructions.

Now, place your desired number of eggs in the steamer basket or on the rack/trivet. You can cook as many eggs as you like, but be careful not to overcrowd them, as this can cause cracking. If you are cooking a large number of eggs, you may need to do multiple batches.

At this point, you can close the lid of your pressure cooker and set the timer according to your desired level of doneness. For soft-boiled eggs, set the timer for 2-4 minutes; for medium-boiled, set it for 3-6 minutes; and for hard-boiled, set it for 5-10 minutes.

Once the timer goes off, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Then, release any remaining pressure using the quick-release method.

Finally, remove the eggs from the pressure cooker and place them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel.

How to cook soft-boiled eggs in a pressure cooker

First, fill your pressure cooker with water. The amount of water required will vary depending on the size of your pressure cooker, so check your manual for the manufacturer's guidance. However, sources suggest that 1 cup of water is sufficient for a standard-sized Instant Pot, while 2 cups are needed for a 6-quart pressure cooker.

Next, insert a trivet or steamer basket into your pressure cooker. This will raise the eggs above the water. Most Instant Pots come with a suitable trivet. If you're using a different brand of pressure cooker, you may need to purchase a steamer basket separately.

Now, place your eggs in a single layer on the trivet or steamer basket. The number of eggs you can cook at once will depend on the size of your pressure cooker. A 6-quart model typically holds 10 to 12 eggs.

Close the lid of the pressure cooker and set the cooker to low pressure. Cooking time will depend on your desired level of doneness. For a soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk and just-set whites, cook for 3 minutes. If you prefer your whites fully set but with a yolk that's still runny, cook for 5 to 6 minutes.

Once the cooking time is up, manually release the pressure. Be careful of the steam when doing this. Then, transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Allow the eggs to cool for a few minutes before peeling and serving.

How to cook medium-boiled eggs in a pressure cooker

Ingredients

• Eggs (as many as you like)
• Water
• Ice

Optional

• Slotted spoon
• Steamer basket

Method

Firstly, fill a bowl with ice and water and set it aside. You'll use this later to cool your eggs.

Next, fill your pressure cooker with the minimum amount of water specified by the manufacturer. Place your desired number of eggs in the steamer basket above the water. Seal the lid and bring the pressure cooker to low pressure.

Maintain low pressure and cook for 4 minutes for medium-boiled yolks, or 5 minutes for medium-hard yolks.

Remove the pressure cooker from the heat and allow the pressure to drop for 5 minutes. Then, use the quick-release method to open the pressure cooker.

Transfer the hot eggs to the ice bath using an oven mitt or a slotted spoon. Leave them to cool completely, which should take about 30 minutes.

Tips

• To avoid cracked eggs, use room-temperature eggs.
• To peel your eggs, crack the shell in multiple places and it should slide right off.
• If you don't have a steamer basket, you can skip it, but you may get more cracked eggs.

How to cook hard-boiled eggs in a pressure cooker

Cooking hard-boiled eggs in a pressure cooker is a great way to make fresh eggs easy to peel. The process is simple and straightforward, and you can cook as many eggs as you like. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Pressure Cooker

Place a steamer basket or trivet at the bottom of your pressure cooker. If your pressure cooker didn't come with a steamer basket, you can use a standard metal or silicone steamer basket instead. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can skip it, but you may get more cracked eggs. Then, add water to the pressure cooker. The amount of water required may vary depending on the manufacturer's instructions, but generally, you will need at least enough water to reach the minimum amount specified by the manufacturer. This is typically around 1 cup of water, but it's always good to check your pressure cooker's instructions.

Step 2: Prepare the Eggs

Take the desired number of eggs and bring them to room temperature before cooking. Using room-temperature eggs helps prevent cracking during cooking. Place the eggs on top of the steamer basket or trivet, ensuring they don't touch the water. You can stack the eggs in two layers if needed, but avoid stacking them too high or wedging them too firmly together, as this can cause cracking.

Step 3: Cook the Eggs

Close the lid of the pressure cooker and seal the steam valve. Set the pressure cooker to high pressure and the timer according to your desired yolk consistency. For hard-boiled eggs, cook for 5-6 minutes for hard yolks, 4 minutes for medium-hard yolks, 3 minutes for medium yolks, 2 minutes for soft-medium yolks, and 1 minute for soft yolks. Keep in mind that the pressure cooker will take some time to come up to pressure before the cooking time starts, usually around 5-10 minutes.

Step 4: Natural Pressure Release

Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for about 5 minutes. This is an important step to ensure the eggs are cooked properly.

Step 5: Quick Release and Ice Bath

After the natural pressure release, carefully release any remaining pressure by moving the valve to the venting position. Then, remove the eggs from the pressure cooker and place them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel. The ice bath should be prepared ahead of time by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water. Let the eggs sit in the ice bath for about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Peel and Enjoy

After the eggs have cooled down in the ice bath, you can peel and enjoy your perfectly cooked hard-boiled eggs!

Tips:

• To prevent cracking, avoid stacking eggs or wedging them too firmly against each other. If you need to cook more eggs than can fit in a single layer, consider cooking in batches.
• Always use fast release after the eggs are done to prevent overcooking.
• The ice bath is important to stop the cooking process and make the eggs easier to peel. If you don't have ice, you can run the eggs under cold tap water for 1-2 minutes instead.

How to prevent overcooking when steaming boiled eggs in a pressure cooker

To steam boil eggs in a pressure cooker without overcooking them, there are several steps you can take to prevent this. Firstly, it is important to note that the pressure cooker should be set to low pressure. Cooking eggs at high pressure can cause them to crack.

Secondly, the cooking time should be adjusted according to the desired yolk consistency. For soft-boiled eggs, three to four minutes is sufficient, while medium-boiled eggs should be cooked for five to seven minutes. Hard-boiled eggs require a cooking time of eight to nine minutes. It is important to monitor the timer to avoid overcooking and adjust the time according to your preference.

Thirdly, after the cooking time has elapsed, use the rapid-release or quick-release method to release the pressure inside the cooker. The natural release method, where pressure drops slowly, is not suitable for delicate eggs as it may lead to overcooking.

Additionally, it is recommended to use room temperature eggs to reduce the chance of cracking during cooking. This can be achieved by letting the eggs sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before cooking.

Finally, for easy peeling and to stop the cooking process, transfer the eggs to an ice bath after releasing the pressure. This will ensure the eggs don't continue cooking and overcook, resulting in a bright yellow yolk without the green ring.

Frequently asked questions