Steam-Cooking Hard-Boiled Eggs: A Step-By-Step Guide

Steaming hard-boiled eggs is a great alternative to boiling them. Not only does it make the eggs easier to peel, but it also cooks them more evenly, and the eggs are more tender. The process is simple: add about an inch of water to a medium pot, bring it to a boil, place the eggs in a steamer basket, cover with a lid, and steam for 6 to 15 minutes depending on your desired level of doneness. Then, transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and make them easier to handle.

Use a steamer basket and a pot

Steaming hard-boiled eggs is a great way to ensure your eggs are evenly cooked, tender, and easy to peel. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving perfect steamed eggs using a steamer basket and a pot:

Firstly, you will need to gather your equipment: a steamer basket and a medium-sized pot or large saucepan. A steamer basket is a great investment and can be used for steaming vegetables and other foods, in addition to eggs. Ensure you have a lid that fits the pot securely.

Next, fill the pot with water to a height of about one inch, or enough to boil for 15-20 minutes without drying up. Place the steamer basket inside the pot and put the pot on the stove. Bring the water to a full boil over medium-high heat.

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the eggs into the steamer basket. You can steam up to six eggs at a time, but be sure to place them gently into the basket to avoid cracking the shells. Cover the pot with the lid.

Let the eggs steam for 6 to 15 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness. For a runny yolk, steam for 6 to 8 minutes. For a nearly set yolk, steam for 9 to 11 minutes. For a fully cooked, hard-boiled egg, steam for 13 to 15 minutes.

While the eggs are steaming, prepare an ice bath by filling a medium bowl with ice and cold water. When the eggs are finished steaming, use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer them to the ice bath. Allow the eggs to cool in the ice bath for at least a few minutes before peeling.

To peel the eggs, crack the shell all over and then roll the egg along your countertop or another hard surface. Rinse the egg under cold water to help remove any remaining shell.

Your perfectly steamed hard-boiled eggs are now ready to eat! You can store any leftover eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Enjoy your delicious and tender hard-boiled eggs, made easy with the steamer basket and pot method!

Add an inch of water to the pot

To steam hard-boiled eggs, you'll need to add about an inch of water to a medium-sized pot or saucepan. The water should be at a level just below the height of the steamer basket. If you don't have a steamer basket, it's recommended to invest in one, as it is considered a kitchen essential.

Once you've added the water, place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Cover the pot with a lid and wait for the water to come to a full boil. This is important, as you want to ensure there is enough water to generate steam for 15 to 20 minutes without drying up.

After the water has reached a rolling boil, it's time to add the eggs. Carefully place the eggs directly from the fridge into the steamer insert or basket. Make sure you handle the eggs gently, as they are fragile and can crack easily.

With the eggs in the steamer basket, cover the pot again and start timing. The steaming time will depend on how runny or firm you want your yolks to be. For a runny yolk, steam for 6 to 8 minutes. If you prefer your yolks nearly set, steam for 9 to 11 minutes. And for a fully cooked, hard-boiled yolk, steam for 13 to 15 minutes.

While the eggs are steaming, prepare an ice bath by filling a medium bowl with ice and cold water. This ice bath will be used to stop the cooking process and cool the eggs after steaming.

Once the eggs are done steaming, immediately transfer them to the ice bath. Let them sit in the ice bath for at least a few minutes to cool down before attempting to peel them. For best results, peel the eggs while they are still warm, as this will make the process easier.

Steam for 6-15 minutes

Steaming is a great way to cook hard-boiled eggs, and it is super easy to prepare. It is also the best way to make "hard-boiled" eggs as they are super easy to peel, cook more evenly, and the eggs are more tender.

Step 1:

Add about 1 inch of water to a medium pot and bring it to a boil. Make sure you have a steamer insert or basket that fits into the pot. You can also use a double boiler if you have one.

Step 2:

Once the water is boiling, carefully place up to six large eggs directly from the fridge into the steamer insert/basket. Be careful, as steam can burn! Cover the pot with a lid.

Step 3:

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the eggs steam for 6 to 15 minutes, depending on your desired doneness. For runny yolks, steam for 6 to 8 minutes. For nearly set, vibrant yolks, steam for 9 to 11 minutes. For fully cooked through yolks (hard-boiled), steam for 13 to 15 minutes.

Step 4:

While the eggs are steaming, fill a medium bowl with ice and cold water to create an ice bath.

Step 5:

Once the eggs are done steaming, immediately transfer them to the ice bath and let them sit for a few minutes to stop the cooking process and cool them down.

Step 6:

To peel the eggs, crack the shell all over and then roll the egg along your countertop or against the side of the bowl. The shell should slide right off with minimal effort. Rinse away any remaining shell debris under cold water.

Step 7:

If you are not eating the eggs right away, you can store them in the refrigerator. For cold eggs, it is best to let them rest in the ice bath for at least 15 minutes before peeling. Fully cooked steamed hard-boiled eggs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Prepare an ice bath

Preparing an ice bath is an essential step in the process of steaming hard-boiled eggs. It is crucial for several reasons, including halting the cooking process, ensuring perfectly cooked eggs, and making the eggs easier to peel. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare an ice bath:

Step 1: Prepare the Ice

Start by gathering a generous amount of ice cubes and placing them in a large bowl. The bowl should be large enough to accommodate all the eggs you plan to cook comfortably. It is recommended to use a metal bowl, as it helps maintain a colder temperature for a longer duration. However, any bowl that can hold the ice and water will work.

Step 2: Add Water

Once you have a sufficient amount of ice in the bowl, start adding cold water. The water level should be high enough to completely submerge the eggs in the ice bath. You can prepare this ice bath in advance and keep it ready while the eggs are steaming.

Step 3: Timing is Key

As soon as your steaming eggs are ready, it's time to transfer them to the ice bath. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to carefully move the eggs from the steamer to the ice bath. Ensure that the eggs are fully immersed in the ice water. This step is crucial in stopping the cooking process and preventing overcooking. The eggs' residual heat will continue to cook them even after removing them from the steamer, so the ice bath helps arrest this process.

Step 4: Cooling and Peeling

Allow the eggs to cool completely in the ice bath. Depending on the number of eggs and their size, this process can take around 10 to 15 minutes. Keep the eggs in the ice bath until they are cool enough to handle. Once they are cooled, you can start peeling them. The ice bath helps separate the egg membrane from the shell, making the peeling process much easier. Gently tap the egg on a counter or bowl to create cracks in the shell, and then carefully peel it away.

Step 5: Storage

If you don't plan to consume the eggs immediately, you can store them in their shells in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to five days. However, it is recommended to peel and consume them as soon as possible, as the shells become more difficult to remove the longer the eggs are refrigerated.

Peel the eggs

Once your eggs are done steaming, it's time to peel them. The first step is to transfer the eggs to an ice bath. This will stop the cooking process and help cool the eggs down, making them easier to handle. Let the eggs sit in the ice bath for at least a few minutes, or until they are cool enough to touch.

Next, you can start to crack the eggshells. You can do this by tapping the eggs gently on the countertop or the side of the bowl. Once the shells are cracked, you can start to peel them away from the eggs. Some people find it helpful to roll the eggs on the countertop or between their hands to create more cracks in the shell before peeling.

As you peel, you may find it helpful to run the eggs under cold water. This can help to rinse away any small pieces of shell that may stick to the egg. It can also help to loosen the shell from the egg, making it easier to peel.

If you are having trouble getting the shell off, try using a small spoon to gently separate the shell from the egg. Start by inserting the edge of the spoon between the shell and the egg, and then gently wiggle it to loosen the shell.

Once your eggs are peeled, you can rinse them off and enjoy them as desired!

It is worth noting that the longer the eggs are refrigerated, the more difficult the shells are to remove. Therefore, it is best to peel the eggs as soon as possible after cooking and cooling them.

Frequently asked questions