Hard-boiled eggs turn out perfectly every time when they’re steamed under pressure in the Instant Pot. They’re always evenly cooked, plus they are easier to peel than traditional boiled eggs. This recipe works if you are boiling only an egg or two or up to a dozen, and you can use either a quick release or a natural release. You can either put the eggs directly on the trivet, or use a wire-mesh, silicone, or metal steamer basket that fits inside the Instant Pot. Do not be tempted to use a solid bowl.
Ingredients
12 servings
Preparation
5-Minute Quick Pressure Release Method:
Step 1
Pour the water into the Instant Pot and place a steamer basket or the trivet into the pot. Gently place up to 12 eggs into the basket or on top of the trivet, taking care not to crack the eggs as you add them. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Manual setting and set the cooking time for 5 minutes at high pressure.
Step 2
While the eggs are cooking, prepare an ice bath. When the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then move the Pressure Release to Venting to release the remaining steam. Open the pot and transfer the eggs to the ice bath to cool. Peel when ready to serve.
Natural Release Method:
Step 3
Pour the water into the Instant Pot and place a steamer basket or the trivet into the pot. Gently place up to 12 eggs into the basket or on top of the trivet, taking care not to crack the eggs as you add them. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Manual setting and set the cooking time for 2 minutes at high pressure.
Step 4
While the eggs are cooking, prepare an ice bath. When the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then move the Pressure Release to Venting to release any remaining steam. Open the pot and transfer the eggs to the ice bath to cool. Peel when ready to serve.
For extra-large eggs, increase the cooking time to 7 minutes, and for jumbo eggs, increase the cooking time to 8 minutes.
You can also use the quick pressure release method for soft-boiled eggs. Cooking times for soft-boiled large, extra-large, and jumbo eggs are 3, 4, and 5 minutes, respectively. For extra-large eggs, increase the cooking time to 3 minutes, and for jumbo eggs, increase the cooking time to 4 minutes.
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Reviews (17)
Back to TopMade it with neighbors fresh eggs and it peeled so much easier than boiling. It is the only way I will 'hard boil' fresh eggs now.
dwall27
Eastern WA
6/19/2021
I use the quick release method for 2 minutes and then set the eggs in a bowl of ice water. This prevents the grey rings around the yoke. I will only ever make boiled eggs in the IP. Cooking them this way makes them so easy to peel.
smalldeluxe
Brampton ON
9/1/2020
Am I the only one, or is this really as confusing as it seems to me? "Cooking times for soft-boiled large, extra-large, and jumbo eggs are 3, 4, and 5 minutes, respectively. For extra-large eggs, increase the cooking time to 3 minutes, and for jumbo eggs, increase the cooking time to 4 minutes."
jasmine00
Santa Rosa, CA
8/4/2020
I used the 5 minute quick release. They turned out perfect! Thanks!
sunvalleytogo
Sunriver OR
7/16/2020
Sorry, but this is too much work and results vary. I will go back to my usual method of just steaming on the stove top. Just bring an inch of water to boiling, add eggs in steaming basket, cover and cook for 12 minutes, run under some cool tap water, peel when ready. I have never had a problem with peeling regardless the age of the eggs. Doing eggs in the pressure cooker takes longer and never sure how they are going to end up.
loriltx
Houston
4/20/2020
The 5 minute slow release was a little too long. I ended up with gray rings around the yolks so I decreased the slow release time to three minutes and they came out perfect. By the way, I have a Instant Pot Ultra
cacolel
Los Angeles
10/29/2019
This makes perfect hard boiled eggs...sure beats the stovetop method I had been using! I use the natural release pressure, haven't used the other way of releasing pressure. Why change it if this one works for me? Eggs are so very easy to peel, including fresh eggs. I always use the eggs directly from the refrigerator. :o)
Cheryzona in Arizona
San Manuel, Az.
6/13/2019
Does not work with fresh eggs. Shell does not peel cleanly, ever.
Supremecommander
3/26/2019
My eggs cracked and my whites turned beige. They also were much stinkier than the stovetop method. Yolks were perfectly cooked and they were easy to peel, but all in all I think I'll keep my stovetop method.
Mom24_4evermom
Central Ohio
1/14/2019
This is now how I make hard boiled eggs. Easier to peel, uniform and standard cooking time. I originally got the recipe from the cookbook cited, and am pleased to see it on this site.
mrh123
Connecticut
9/11/2018
It's too transparent that maker of Instant Pot is lobbying for brand recognition like the way pharma companies are wining and dining the doctors in the medical field.
rvj711
Northern Virginia
7/1/2018
The widely-accepted method for hard boiling eggs in the IP is easy to remember: 5-5-5 ! 5 minutes pressure cook, 5 minutes natural pressure release, quick pressure release and 5 minutes in an ice bath. If you live at high altitude like me and are lucky to own the Ultra IP model, don’t use the “Pressure Cook” program (i.e. Manual on older IP models), use the “Steam” program so you can take advantage of your altitude correction settings. Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to poke a hole in each egg before pressure cooking just like you would on the stove. You’ll save yourself from dealing with cracked eggs except when the egg shell is flawed and would crack anyway.
ckpreston
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
6/26/2018
High pressure doesn’t work as well as low pressure. My method is 1 cup water, eggs on the trivet, manual low pressure, 8 minutes, quick release, ice water bath. Perfect every time.
djfrank
Camarillo CA
6/11/2018
I love my instant pot and especially for eggs! I use the steam function for 3 minutes and they come out perfect(for my taste) and peel with no problems. I like the yolk soft and creamy. I use the quick release method and the eggs cold out of the fridge.
watermaven@gmail.com
Vermilion ,OH
4/3/2018
Natural release method works better. Cracks across surface of 1 of the eggs though. Did 3 eggs at a time.
earlgrey1492
New Haven
3/23/2018
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