Peeling boiled eggs can be a frustrating task, especially when the shells stick and ruin your perfectly cooked eggs. But what if there was an effortless way to get it done? A chef’s clever trick is taking the internet by storm, making boiled eggs peeling simple and oddly satisfying.
The secret lies in how you boil your eggs. Start by adding a pinch of baking soda to the boiling water. This raises the water’s pH level, loosening the bond between the egg white and the shell membrane. As a result, the shell slides off effortlessly, leaving the boiled eggs intact and smooth.
Eggshells are slightly porous, and the pH of the egg white plays a role in how it sticks to the shell. Baking soda makes the egg whites more alkaline, which helps them separate easily from the shell. This science-backed hack ensures that peeling is a breeze, even for the freshest eggs.
To try this trick, follow these simple steps:
- Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every liter of water.
- Carefully place the eggs in the boiling water and cook for 9-12 minutes, depending on your preference.
- Immediately transfer the boiled eggs to an ice bath. The rapid cooling stops the cooking process and makes the shells easier to peel.

If you want an extra edge, gently tap the boiled eggs on a hard surface before submerging them in the ice bath. This creates tiny cracks, allowing the water to seep under the shell and loosen it further.
With this chef-approved method, peeling boiled eggs becomes quick, mess-free, and oddly satisfying. Whether you’re making deviled eggs, egg salad, or just enjoying them as a snack, this trick guarantees a flawless result every time.
Jeff here, you don’t need to do all those fancy tricks. Just put eggs in cold water, bring them up to a boil. Once a boil turn them off and let for for 10 minutes if you want for hard boiled eight minutes medium will six minutes softball. Then shot them in an ice bath. You don’t need all those fancy tricks. It’s physics: the shock of the ice after being in hot water causes the eggs to shrink and pull away from the shell. Literally NOT everybody knows these things.