Boiled eggs can be a nutritious and delicious addition to any meal, but it can be incredibly frustrating when you can’t seem to get the shell off without removing half of the egg white.

However, there are a few tricks to peeling boiled eggs perfectly every time. Whether you prefer soft-boiled or hard-boiled eggs, these tips will help you achieve a perfectly peeled egg every time.

1. Use Older Eggs

If you’ve ever tried to peel a boiled egg that is fresh out of the carton, then you might have noticed that the shell doesn’t come off as easily as it should.

This is because the membrane that separates the egg white and the shell is still firmly attached. The solution is to use older eggs, at least a week or two old before boiling them. As eggs age, the membrane begins to deteriorate and loosen, making it much easier to peel boiled eggs.

2. Add Salt to the Water

Adding salt to the water when boiling eggs can help to make the eggs easier to peel. When you add salt to the boiling water, it helps to create small pits in the eggshell, which can make it easier to peel once it has cooled.

3. Peel Under Running Water

After boiling your eggs, let them cool down for a bit. Then, hold them under cool running water as you begin peeling the shells. The water helps to neutralize the pH of the egg white, which can help to prevent it from sticking to the shell.

Additionally, the cool water can also help to loosen the shell, making it easier to peel off.

4. Crack the Egg on a Hard Surface

One of the best ways to start peeling boiled eggs is to crack them on a hard surface. This helps to create a fracture in the shell that you can then peel away.

Simply tap the egg on a hard surface like a countertop, being careful not to crack the egg itself too much.

5. Roll the Egg Gently

Once you’ve cracked the egg, try rolling it gently back and forth on a hard surface. Rolling the egg can help to loosen the shell and make it easier to peel away from the egg white.

6. Peel from the Larger End

Another trick to peeling boiled eggs is to start peeling from the larger end. This is because there is a small air pocket at the large end of the egg, which can make it easier to get under the shell to peel it away.

7. Use a Spoon

If all else fails, you can also use a spoon to help you peel boiled eggs. Simply crack the egg and then use a spoon to gently pry the shell away from the egg white.

This method works especially well if you’re trying to peel eggs that have been boiled for a long time and the shell is firmly stuck to the egg white.

8. Use an Instant Pot

Using an Instant Pot to boil eggs is a great way to ensure that they come out perfectly every time.

With an Instant Pot, you can cook eggs in just a few minutes, and the high-pressure environment can help to cook the eggs evenly and prevent the shell from sticking to the egg white.

9. Store the Eggs Properly

If you’re not going to eat your boiled eggs right away, it’s important to store them properly to ensure that they stay fresh and easy to peel.

After boiling, place the eggs in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Additionally, you can also store peeled boiled eggs in the refrigerator, but it’s best to eat them within a day or two of peeling.

10. Practice!

Like everything else, peeling boiled eggs perfectly takes practice. Don’t give up if you don’t get it right the first time. Keep experimenting with different methods and eventually, you’ll find the one that works best for you.