I Asked 5 Experts the Easiest Way To Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs—They All Said the Same Thing

Peeling hard-boiled eggs can be a frustrating task, so I asked a bunch of chefs how they do it. They had an answer that will make your life easier.

Feb 10, 2025 - 16:00
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I Asked 5 Experts the Easiest Way To Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs—They All Said the Same Thing
Overhead view of hands peeling boiled eggs on a wooden cutting board next to various bowls and plates and ingredients
Simply Recipes / Getty Images

I know it’s a bit of a cliché for a thirty-something to take up running as her big new life goal, but over the holidays, my family bought a treadmill, and I started logging a few miles every week. With the extra movement, I knew I needed to fuel my body properly, so I started looking for easy, budget-friendly ways to add more protein to my diet. Enter: hard-boiled eggs.

Cut to me boiling batch after batch, only to lose half of the whites (and a little bit of my sanity) every time I tried to peel them. After a little trial and error, I learned a few tricks: cooling the eggs completely, using older eggs, and taking my time. But when I asked chefs and food pros for their best peeling advice, they all agreed on one foolproof method I hadn’t tried yet—peeling the eggs under running water.

The Expert Egg Peelers I Asked

Why Peeling Hard-Boiled Eggs Under Running Water Works

In my egg-peeling frustration, I would have grabbed the tweezers before turning on the tap to loosen those stubborn shells, but this method is significantly easier (and way less tedious).

Awada explained why this trick works so well, saying, “Running water helps loosen the shell, making it easier to peel. The water gets under the membrane, lifting the shell away from the egg white.”

Resnick pointed out another benefit. “Not only does this wash away any lingering shell fragments, but if a piece of shell is stuck, sometimes the force of the water will help separate it from the egg,” he notes.

Best of all, there are no fancy gadgets or beauty tools repurposed; just a little water, and suddenly, egg peeling becomes effortless.

Ten slices of hardboiled eggs on a tray on a white tabletop
Simply Recipes / Getty Images

Tips for Peeling Eggs Like a Pro

Want to make peeling hard-boiled eggs even easier? Keep these expert-backed tips in mind:

  • Dunk your eggs in an ice bath: Jurcevic recommended transferring your eggs to an ice bath for 2 to 3 minutes after boiling. “They’re much easier to peel when cold,” he explains.
  • Crack the shells the right way: Farmer said, “Roll them lightly on the counter to loosen the shell.” Instead of smashing an egg, this method creates microcracks that help the shell slide off more easily.
  • Avoid fresh eggs: Jurcevic said, “Very fresh eggs are harder to peel—the membrane shrinks during storage.” Use eggs that have been in the fridge for at least a few days if you can.
  • Use a small bowl under running water: Catch any loose shells with a bowl or colander so they don’t clog your drain.
  • Keep the water pressure gentle: Too much force can break the egg or make a mess.

With these tips in your back pocket, peeling eggs doesn’t have to be a battle—it can be pretty easy.

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