Instant Pot Hardboiled Eggs.
We tend to tune out a lot of the fan chatter about the Instant Pot, especially when folks start talking about how to cook something in the IP that has no business there—like prime rib!—or something that would be just as easy and good cooked in a more traditional way. Thus we paid no attention to the many posts and comments praising the IP’s prowess with hard boiled eggs.
But guess what… it works! We previously detailed this method which has an 83% success rate (as in, 10 out of 12 eggs were intact after peeling). But the IP after two tries was at 100%, 12 out of 12 huevos perfectos.
Here is the very straightforward technique for Instant Pot hardboiled eggs:
- Pour 1 c water in the IP inner container.
- Add the included trivet or other element (like a cheap collapsible steamer from Target) that will keep the eggs from direct contact with the water.
- Carefully add the uncooked eggs above the trivet, spreading them out to avoid too much direct content. (Our eggs were at room temperature but I’m not sure it matters.)
- Set IP to high pressure, 5 minutes. Monitor the IP as it heats up to be sure it seals properly. (The pre-heat takes about 5 minutes which is why some call this the 5-5-5-5 method: preheat/pressure cook/cool down/ice bath.)
- After the pressure cooking is done, leave the eggs in the sealed pot till the timer reaches 5 minutes. Release the pressure (there will be some residual steam) by pressing the valve with a slotted spoon, NOT your hand.
- Use slotted spoon to remove eggs to a bowl of ice water (prepared in advance).
- Cool eggs for at least 5 minutes. The cooler the better! If you have room in your freezer stick the bowl of eggs in there,
- Crack shells by rolling eggs on a hard surface. (This works—much better than cracking in one spot).
- Peel and enjoy.
Can you get equally good results by refrigerating the cooked eggs in their shells so they last longer, then peeling before use? Something to try next time. Our instant pot hardboiled eggs are all gone!
While I agree that the Instant Pot is the best way to prepare hard boiled eggs, I’m so not much of a rule follower. I have been doing my hard-boiled eggs in my Instant Pot since I bought it in 2015. I pile them in right to the top. I’ve done as many as 30 Medium eggs at one time. I cook on high for 1 minute. I release after 5 minutes. I just place the whole liner under cold running water and peel them as soon as I can handle them. It’s amazing that every single egg has come out perfectly!
Thanks Susan. Mind blown!
And did you use just 1 c water? or more?
Just a cup, but truthfully, I just eyeball it!
As I’m leading an Instant Pot free life I use the poke a hole in the big end and put oil in the water method. In combination. A blended attack! Not concerned about age of the eggs or cooking method.
Jack pokes in first few seconds of this good video.
First time I saw oil in the water eggs.
https://www.bowlofdelicious.com/how-to-make-perfect-easy-to-peel-boiled-eggs-every-time/
Eggs in USA stores are washed which make them porous. I wonder if the
pressure cooking separates the egg from the shell?
That’s a great video with Jack. Bright orange yolks!
I poke a hole, into boiling water for 8.5 minutes, chill in cold water. They ALWAYS peel easily. I don’t understand why there’s so much discussion about boiling eggs.
You’re the second person to talk about poking holes, something I’ve never done. Will have to try it. Anybody else?