Quick Answer
The most common thing to add to water when boiling eggs is salt. Adding salt to the water helps the egg whites coagulate faster and makes peeling the hard boiled eggs easier. About 1-2 teaspoons of salt per quart of water is ideal. Some other additions that can be made when boiling eggs include vinegar or baking soda which also aid with peeling, herbs and spices for flavor, and food coloring for decorating Easter eggs.
Why Add Anything to the Water?
Adding salt, vinegar, baking soda or other ingredients to the boiling water serves a few key purposes when it comes to hard boiled eggs:
Easier to Peel
Adding salt, vinegar or baking soda to the boiling water produces a chemical reaction that helps separate the egg from its shell. This makes peeling the hard boiled egg easier and helps keep the white from sticking to the shell.
Speeds Cooking
The ingredients added to the water can help speed up the coagulation or setting of the egg whites. This firms up the egg faster.
Adds Flavor
Ingredients like herbs, spices or salt help infuse the hard boiled eggs with more flavor.
Decorates the Eggs
Food coloring dyes the shells of the eggs when boiling for Easter or other decorating purposes.
Salt
Adding plain salt to the boiling water is the most common way to prepare hard boiled eggs. Here are some key tips on using salt:
How Much Salt?
The recommended amount of salt is about 1-2 teaspoons per quart of water. For a large pot, use about a tablespoon of salt.
Why Use Salt?
The salt helps the protein in the egg white set more quickly, leading to a firm, dense egg white. The salt also helps separate the membrane from the shell, making peeling easier.
When to Add the Salt?
Add the salt to the pot before bringing the water to a boil. This allows the salt to fully dissolve and diffuse through the water.
What Kind of Salt to Use?
Regular table salt, kosher salt or sea salt all work well. The main thing is that the salt fully dissolves. Avoid large flaky sea salt crystals if not dissolving fully.
Vinegar
Vinegar is another common addition to hard boiled eggs. Here are some tips:
How Much Vinegar?
For about a quart of water, add 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar. White distilled vinegar works best.
Why Vinegar?
The acetic acid in vinegar reacts with the eggshell, helping separate the membrane for easier peeling.
When to Add Vinegar?
Add the vinegar to the pot before bringing the water to a boil.
Does Vinegar Affect Taste?
A small amount of vinegar does not significantly affect the flavor. Use cider or wine vinegar if concerned about taste.
Baking Soda
Like vinegar, baking soda also makes the shells easier to peel:
How Much Baking Soda?
1 teaspoon of baking soda per quart of water is recommended.
Why Baking Soda Works
The alkalinity of baking soda leads to the reaction that makes peeling simpler.
When to Add Baking Soda
Stir in the baking soda before boiling for best results.
Baking Soda Taste?
Baking soda does not alter the flavor of the eggs.
Herbs, Spices and Seasonings
Herbs, spices, seasonings and other flavor infusions can make your hard boiled eggs extra tasty:
What to Use?
Popular options include:
– Dill
– Parsley
– Chives
– Lemon Pepper
– Paprika
– Ranch Seasoning
– Old Bay Seasoning
– Curry Powder
– Garlic Powder
– Onion Powder
How Much to Use?
Start with around 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs or spices per quart of water. Adjust amounts as desired.
When to Add Seasonings?
Add the herbs and spices to the pot with the eggs and water to infuse the flavors.
Will It Affect Peeling?
The seasonings do not interfere with peeling the hard boiled eggs.
Food Coloring
Adding food coloring to the boiling water when preparing Easter eggs or other decorated eggs can dye the shells. Here are some tips:
Types of Food Coloring
Liquid food coloring works best. Use food coloring gels if needed for darker colors.
How Much to Use?
Start with about 10 drops of food coloring per 1 cup of water. Adjust as needed for darker colors.
When to Add Food Coloring?
Add the food coloring to the water and bring to a boil first before adding eggs.
Effect on Peeling and Taste
Food coloring does not affect peeling or flavor when coloring the shells only.
Other Possible Additions
In addition to the most common ingredients described already, here are some other items people sometimes add when boiling eggs:
Sugar or Corn Syrup
A bit of sugar or corn syrup can help retain moisture in the whites. However, it is not vital for easy peeling.
Acid like Cream of Tartar or Lemon Juice
The acid may slightly aid peeling but vinegar works better. These have minimal effect.
Oil
Some say oil eases peeling. However, it can leave an oily film on the whites. Not usually recommended.
Coffee or Tea
These liquids may slightly stain the shells but do not aid peeling.
Boiling Process
Now that you know what to add to the boiling water, here is a summary of the complete process for easy peel hard boiled eggs:
Ingredients:
– Eggs
– 1-2 tsp salt per quart of water
– 2-3 tbsp vinegar (optional)
– Herbs or spices (optional)
Directions:
1. Fill a pot with enough water to fully cover the eggs by 1-2 inches.
2. Add the salt and vinegar (if using).
3. Bring the salted water to a rapid boil.
4. Use a spoon to lower the eggs into the boiling water.
5. Boil for 11-12 minutes for hard boiled.
6. Drain eggs and add to an ice bath to stop the cooking.
7. Peel eggs starting from the wider end. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should eggs be room temperature before boiling?
Yes, eggs should sit out and come to room temperature before boiling for even cooking. Eggs from the fridge can crack more easily.
Does boiling time change if you add things to the water?
No, the boiling time remains the same whether you add salt, vinegar or other items – still boil eggs for 11-12 minutes.
Can you boil eggs in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker?
Yes, you can boil eggs in an Instant Pot. Use 1 cup water, trivet, and 2 minutes under high pressure plus 5 minute natural release.
How long do boiled eggs last in the refrigerator?
Hard boiled eggs last for up to 1 week in the fridge stored in their shells or peeled in an airtight container.
Conclusion
While plain water is all you really need to boil eggs, adding salt, vinegar or other items like spices can make peeling easier and infuse extra flavor. Just be sure not to drastically alter boiling times if adding ingredients to the water. Now go enjoy some easy peel hard boiled eggs!