How to Tell if Hard Boiled Eggs are Done

By: Jay
Date: September 16, 2022
Time to read: 3 min.

The most important thing to remember when boiling eggs is that they should be cooked on medium heat. If the water is boiling too rapidly, the egg will become overcooked on the outside while the inside remains runny.

At The Average Cook, we strive to give you the best facts about food possible. Read on to learn more!

Table of Contents

Hard-Boiled Eggs

To check if your water is at the right temperature, place a drop of it on your wrist before adding the eggs. It should feel hot, but not too hot to keep your hand in.

Once you’ve determined that the water is at the right temperature, gently lower the eggs into the pot using a spoon.

Be careful not to crack them! Allow the eggs to cook for about 12 minutes, then remove them from the pot and place them in a bowl of ice water.

After a few minutes in the ice water, you can start to test the eggs. Gently tap the egg on the countertop until you make a small crack all around it, then peel back the shell.

If the egg is cooked properly, the white will be firm and set, and the yolk will be cooked through but still bright yellow. If the egg is undercooked, the white will be runny and the yolk will be very soft. And if it’s overcooked, the white will be rubbery and the yolk will start to turn green.

How to Tell if Hard Boiled Eggs are Done video

Things to Know About Eggs

However, if an egg has been sitting in contaminated water – say from a dirty cooler at a picnic – it can develop bacteria that cause food poisoning. Those bad eggs will have an unpleasant odor and should be thrown out. So, the rule of thumb is: if in doubt, throw it out!

How to Tell if Hard Boiled Eggs are Done

As for hard-boiled eggs, the same principles apply. If you are uncertain about how long the egg has been sitting in the refrigerator, it is best to discard it.

As a general rule, hard-boiled eggs are safe to eat up to one week after they have been cooked. After that, they may start to develop bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

If you are hard-boiling eggs to use in egg salad or another dish that will be eaten cold, it is best to use them within three days. If you are hard-boiling eggs to eat hot, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Eggs that have been frozen can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one year. However, they will not be as fresh as eggs that have been refrigerated and used within a week.

When it comes to eggs, it is always best to be on the side of caution and throw them out if you are unsure about how long they have been sitting in the refrigerator. Better safe than sorry!