Making a hard-boiled egg seems easy, but we’ve ended up with enough cracked, hard-to-peel, or gooey-in-the-middle eggs to know otherwise. Now, we use this foolproof method every time! Any type of vinegar works, but we went with Thrive Market Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. This amazing fermented liquid contains gut-friendly bacteria and is believed to support healthy digestion and detoxification—and it’s a pretty crucial component to any salad dressing recipe—so we always make sure to keep a bottle or two in the pantry! So, let’s make vinegar hard boiled eggs!
Making hard boiled eggs with vinegar is a simple process that can yield perfect results every time. To boil eggs with vinegar, start by placing your eggs in a pot and adding enough water to cover them. How much vinegar to boil eggs is needed? Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the water. The vinegar helps to keep the egg whites from leaking out if the shells crack while cooking. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the eggs simmer for about 9-12 minutes. After they’re done, drain the hot water and replace it with cold water to stop the cooking process. The result is perfectly boiled eggs with easy-to-peel shells!
Benefits of vinegar hard-boiled eggs
Boiling eggs with vinegar instead of just water has several benefits. The acetic acid in vinegar attacks the calcium in the eggshells, breaking them down as they boil. This results in eggs that have thinner and more brittle shells, making them easier to peel. Additionally, if you decide to make boiled eggs with vinegar, it helps to prevent the egg whites from spilling out if the shells crack while cooking.
However, it’s important to note that too much vinegar can affect the flavor of the eggs because the eggshell is porous and will absorb the flavor of vinegar in the water. Therefore, adding one tablespoon or 15 ml of vinegar for every quart of water in the pot is recommended. So, vinegar for hard boiled eggs can save you time and effort when peeling and also help you get more out of your protein-rich snack!
Hard-Boiled Eggs With Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe
Yield: 6 eggs
Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Ingredients
¼ cup Thrive Market Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
6 eggs
Ice
Cold water
Instructions
Step 1: Fill a pot with water
Fill a sauce pot about ⅔-full with water. Add vinegar and eggs. Bring water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once water begins to boil, place lid on pot and turn off heat.
Step 2: Cook for 11 minutes
Keep eggs in the covered pot for 11 minutes. While eggs cook in the hot water, make an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water.
Step 3: Cool eggs and peel
Transfer eggs to the water bath; leave them until cool enough to handle. To peel, tap eggshell on all sides, using a hard surface. Peel over water bath, dipping in water, if needed.
Recipe by: Angela Gaines
Photo credit: Paul Delmont
FAQs
Boiling eggs with vinegar instead of just water has several benefits. The acetic acid in vinegar attacks the calcium in the eggshells, breaking them down as they boil. This results in eggs that have thinner and more brittle shells, making them easier to peel.
How much vinegar do I add to hard-boiled eggs? ›
How To Boil Eggs Perfectly: Place eggs in a single layer at the bottom of a large saucepan or pot. Add enough water to cover the eggs with at least 1 in (2.5 cm) of water over them. Add a tablespoon (15 mL) of vinegar and a tablespoon (14 g) of sea salt to the pot.
How much apple cider vinegar for one egg? ›
By mixing 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar you'll replace 1 egg with a mixture suitable for most baking.
Why put vinegar when boiling eggs? ›
The vinegar in the water makes the eggs easier to peel. Here's why: The vinegar's acid not only dissolves some of the calcium carbonate in the shell, it also helps the whites set faster. Running the hard-boiled eggs under cold running water as you're peeling, meanwhile, helps the shell separate from the membrane.
What happens when you soak a boiled egg in vinegar? ›
The vinegar contains ethanoic acid (also known as acetic acid), which reacts with calcium carbonate in the eggshell. One product of the reaction is carbon dioxide gas, which appears as little bubbles forming on the eggshell. Over time, this chemical reaction dissolves away the hard eggshell.
Is baking soda or vinegar better for hard boiled eggs? ›
Egg Peeling Method #1: Boiling Eggs with Baking Soda
The higher pH of older eggs allows the whites to separate from the inner shell membrane, which makes them easier to peel.
How does Gordon Ramsay make hard-boiled eggs? ›
Chef Ramsay opts to boil his eggs for four and a half minutes to keep the egg's center slightly soft. When your eggs are finished boiling, drain the water and run the eggs under cold tap water in the pot. According to Chef Ramsay, cooling the eggs as quickly as possible prevents their yolks from turning gray.
How do you hard boil eggs so they peel easily? ›
Bring to a boil, then cover the pot and turn off the heat. Let the eggs cook, covered, for 9 to 12 minutes, depending on your desired done-ness (see photo). Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and chill for 14 minutes. This makes the eggs easier to peel.
What is the ratio of apple cider vinegar to drink? ›
By itself, apple cider vinegar is extremely acidic and could harm your teeth and throat if taken alone. To prevent these risks, shake your bottle of ACV before measuring out 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml), pouring it in a glass, and adding 1 c (240 ml) of water.
How much water should you mix with apple cider vinegar? ›
Ingredients
- 1 cup water - 8oz | 250ml.
- 1 -2 tsp raw organic apple cider vinegar.
It can serve as a marinade, an ingredient for salad dressing or barbecue sauce, and as a key ingredient for pickling brine. For pickled eggs, swapping white vinegar for apple cider vinegar is a no-brainer.
How long do boiled eggs last in vinegar? ›
Pickled eggs will keep for one month in the refrigerator.
Can you over boil eggs? ›
Overcooked hard boiled eggs also have a slightly different texture than properly cooked eggs. They can be more difficult to peel and may have a chalky texture. While overcooked hard boiled eggs are safe to eat, it is recommended to cook them for the appropriate amount of time to ensure the best texture and flavor.
Does apple cider vinegar work for eggs? ›
ACV Brine: The brine gives these eggs the tangy flavor that people love about pickled eggs! This brine is made with apple cider vinegar, water, sugar (coconut or brown sugar will work too), herbs and salt.
Does vinegar stop boiled eggs cracking? ›
Adding a small amount of vinegar or salt to the water may help strengthen the egg whites and reduce the chances of cracking. Use about a 2 teaspoon of vinegar or a half teaspoon of salt per two cups of water. Gently pierce the rounded end of the egg with a pin or a needle before boiling.
What happens when you put an egg in vinegar for 1 week? ›
Eggshells are made of calcium carbonate. If you soak an egg in vinegar the eggshell will absorb the acid and break down, or dissolve. The calcium carbonate will become carbon dioxide gas, which will go into the air. What is left is the soft tissue that lined the inside of the eggshell.
