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READY IN 40 mins

Ken's Perfect Hard Boiled Egg (And I Mean Perfect)

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"Couldn't sleep one night so I researched several ways to hard boil eggs and developed this process. While you do not taste the vinegar or salt, they both pull the skin from the eggshell so it peels easily without tearing or sticking. Family members call them 'Ken's Eggs'. Enjoy!" — Ken

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Original recipe makes 8 eggs Change Servings

1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

6 cups water
8 eggs

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Directions

Combine the salt, vinegar, and water in a large pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the eggs one at a time, being careful not to crack them. Reduce the heat to a gentle boil, and cook for 14 minutes.
Once the eggs have cooked, remove them from the hot water, and place into a container of ice water or cold, running water. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. Store in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

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PREP 5 mins
COOK 20 mins
READY IN 40 mins

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Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Mar 02, 2011

This recipe does actually produce "Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs"! My husband loves hard boiled eggs and quite frankly so do I and nothing is more frustrating than something so simple turning out improper or down right ugly when doing deviled eggs or wanting something pretty to garnish a nice salad. I let the eggs come to room temp. to reduce cracking. When adding the eggs to the water I use a slotted spoon and gently place them into the pot this also helps to remove them. These were very easy to peel and the yolk has a nice rich yellow color. Thanks Ken!

—Jillian

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Apr 21, 2011

You do not need vinegar or salt. The secret to making hard boiled eggs that do not stick to the shell is to use older eggs! Ideally, eggs that are 10 days to 2 weeks old work best. For Easter, I always buy eggs ahead of time. I put the eggs in a pan, cover with COLD water 1" over the eggs; bring to a boil over medium/medium high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, cook for 1-2 minutes, then turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Let sit for 10-15 minutes depending on egg size. Drain water and cool immediately with cold water (I drop the eggs in bowl of ice water). Let them sit for a couple minutes and remove.

—Alex D

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608 Ratings

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Mar 09, 2010

Salt just increases the boiling point of the water, it doesn't actually do anything to make the eggs easier to peel. Vinegar is not necessary, the real trick here is submerging the eggs in the ice water after removing them from the boiling water. I do the exact same thing with just plain water, and they are perfect! Save your vinegar, the ice is the magic ingredient here ;)

—LuckyLeprechaun

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Mar 10, 2010

Brilliant, Ken! I've always used salt (supposed to prevent the contents leaking out) but the vinegar is news, and it works! 14 minutes is a bit long, I think; 10 minutes total boiling time will produce a less rubbery white and a creamy yolk, if you plunge the eggs into cold water immediately. Also crack the shells immediately after putting the eggs in cold water. This will allow the gas to escape which turns the yolk blue.

—ANNALIE

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Mar 11, 2010

Wow! I've been cooking for over 50 years and finally today I made perfect boiled eggs for deviling. Have tried everything anybody told me from poking holes in the ends with a needle/fingers to vinegar in the water to standing on my head. This recipe really works. My eggs were extra large so I boiled them the full 15 minutes but a couple extra minutes would have been better. I would have had soft-boiled if I had taken the advise of one reviewer and only boiled for 10 minutes. Like most of the other reviewers I recommend following the recipe exactly. Thanks Ken...wish I had discovered this recipe years ago. Who knew you would need a recipe for boiled eggs...ha ha!!!

—mary jane kail

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Apr 23, 2011

Thanks for all of those that have posted comments to my receipe. I heard alot of discussion about eggs cracking when you put them into the boiling water. So, I did what every husband would do..ask the wife! Her trick as indicated in some of the reviews, is to allow them to become room tempeture before going into the water. Seems to work perfect everytime. Once again, thanks to all that have posted and have a Happy Easter.

—Ken

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Mar 08, 2010

PERFECT EGGS! I always have problems peeling eggs, especially fresh ones. I will always use this method to boil my eggs from now on, the shell practically slipped off of the eggs! Just in time for Easter too, I'm so happy, thank you for sharing this Ken! :)

—Cat Lady Cyndi

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Mar 09, 2010

Although I consider myself an above-average cook, hard boiled eggs had never turned out correctly. Until now! Thanks to Ken's recipe I finally had a hard boiled egg turn out perfect! They peeled cleanly and easily and the yolk was cooked through without turning green around the edges. Follow recipe exactly...it won't disappoint!

—Darla O

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Nutrition

Calories
72 kcal
4%

Carbohydrates
0.4 g
< 1%

Cholesterol
212 mg
70%

Fiber
0 g
0%

Protein
6.3 g
13%

Sodium
947 mg
38%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Ken's Perfect Hard Boiled Egg (And I Mean Perfect)

Serving Size: 1/8 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 72
Calories from Fat: 45

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 8 %
Saturated Fat 1.5g 8 %
Cholesterol 212mg 70 %
Sodium 947mg 38 %
** Potassium 69mg 2 %
Total Carbohydrates 0.4g < 1 %
Dietary Fiber 0g 0 %
Protein 6.3g 13 %
Sugars 0.4g
Vitamin A 5 %
Vitamin C 0 %
Calcium 4 %
Iron 9 %
** Thiamin 3 %
** Niacin 11 %
** Vitamin B6 4 %
** Magnesium 3 %
** Folate 13 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.