Perfectly Cooked Eggs
By :Instant Pot Miracle
Steaming eggs in the shell gives you the very best results, whether you want soft-, medium-, or hard-cooked eggs. An extra benefit of steaming: Your hard-cooked eggs will never acquire a green ring around the yolk—a sign of overcooking.
Votes: 52
Rating: 4.27
Rate this recipe!
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Course Breakfast
Cuisine Modern
Difficulty Medium
Duration less than 15 min
Cooking Technique Pressure Cook
Main Ingredient Eggs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3-5 minutes
Servings
2-4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1-6 eggs large or jumbo
Course Breakfast
Cuisine Modern
Difficulty Medium
Duration less than 15 min
Cooking Technique Pressure Cook
Main Ingredient Eggs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3-5 minutes
Servings
2-4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1-6 eggs large or jumbo
Votes: 52
Rating: 4.27
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
Instructions
  1. Pour the water into the Instant Pot. Place a steamer basket or the trivet in the pot.
  2. Carefully arrange eggs in the steamer basket. Secure the lid on the pot. Close the pressure-release valve.
  3. For soft-cooked eggs, select manual and cook at low pressure for 3 minutes. When cooking time is complete, use a natural release to depressurize. (For medium-cooked eggs, cook for 4 minutes; for hardcooked eggs, cook for 5 minutes.)
  4. Remove the lid from the pot and gently place eggs in a bowl of cool water for 1 minute to serve warm.
76 replies
  1. Cate
    Cate says:

    When cooked as directed, the three minute eggs have hard yolks. If i can afford to waste more food, i may try this again, next time doing a quick pressure release.What a waste.

  2. Beekeeper
    Beekeeper says:

    I used quick release. Medium Eggs came out with a slight tinge of green around the yolk. The recipe calls for Large or XL eggs. I should have decreased the cooking time by a minute. These were the easiest eggs I have ever peeled!

  3. Ksh
    Ksh says:

    I did 4 minutes for medium and turned out perfect. Like any hard boiled egg, I immediately transferred to a cold water bath. This was actually the first time I ised my instant pot! The middle was just a bit gooey still!

  4. Wanttogosouth
    Wanttogosouth says:

    Awesome everytime! I crack in tge cold water after 5 min so water gets in around egg. Then 5 min later presto!!

  5. Henry100
    Henry100 says:

    My first try at soft boiled failed. Eggs good peeled easy but norunny yoak. This most likely i had time wrong. As iwas cooking egg i think my egg cooker might be easyer to use. So i lost excietment as to doing my eggs in pot.

  6. Kevmo814
    Kevmo814 says:

    The recipe says 1-6 eggs, however it works just as right with 12. They peeled perfectly and I was start to finish in 21 minuets.

  7. kawill12
    kawill12 says:

    Tried to make hard boiled and they came out medium boiled. Tried again and instead cooked on high pressure for 5 minutes. 5 minutes natural release then quick release and into ice bath and they came out perfect.

  8. Icook
    Icook says:

    Following these instructions gave me five warm eggs that were almost completely liquid. About 2 mm of the white had partially solidified inside the shell. Instead, cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, then let sit for five, then an ice bath for a few minutes. You will have hard cooked eggs. Less time for softer eggs

  9. Lroman16
    Lroman16 says:

    I cooked mine on high pressure for 5 min. Natural release for 5 min then quick release. Put in ice bath for 5 min. Easiest peel, no runny or green yolk. Perfectly boiled dozen of eggs.

  10. JanCHFL
    JanCHFL says:

    Three minutes on low pressure provide very runny egg white and yokes. Could not eat these raw eggs. Will try again under high pressure with longer time.

  11. Calbob
    Calbob says:

    Must be a misprint in the instructions for “Natural Release”. Use “Manual Release” as 3 minutes plus natural gives hard cooked eggs. (I’m at sea level)

  12. G-MAJO
    G-MAJO says:

    I did 6 minutes on low pressure & natural release. I used 8 extra large eggs. Came out perfect. Cookbook i have says 5 minutes but a friend told me 6 & she does a whole dozen

  13. Novastar55
    Novastar55 says:

    Did 5 on high pressure and then 5 on natural release. Quick release to get them out and they were perfect.

    Then we turned them into tea eggs…

    (^•^)

  14. Kistle78
    Kistle78 says:

    I own the smart Wi-Fi instant pot. I did six minutes on high pressure. Yokewood be more firm for hard-boiled egg which I wanted.

  15. Natejohnson29
    Natejohnson29 says:

    Perfect on steam for 5 minutes, Natural release for 5 minutes, then put in ice water, very satisfies for 1st time use

  16. Pamjean
    Pamjean says:

    This was the first thing i made. A lillle bit overdone because I didn’t fully understand the normal depressure and I obviously still don’t know what it’s actually called! I finally just unpluged the pot and took them out.
    They were good none the less and I’m calling them a success! I cooked 6 eggs, used two in tuna salad and the rest will go in my husbands lunches.
    Easy to peel too!

  17. ClaudiaJ
    ClaudiaJ says:

    First IP recipe made after my new Christmas gift. Was easy-peasy! Cooked 4 XL hard boiled eggs perfectly. 6 minutes on low pressure, 5 minutes natural pressure reduction. Plunged each egg in ice water until cool. Voila! Easy to peel and delicious.

  18. staceyr1978
    staceyr1978 says:

    This was the first thing I’ve made with the Instant Pot. I wanted medium-cooked eggs and cooked for four minutes but got hard-cooked eggs. They were still tasty and I’m tickled pink that I can make eggs easily now. I used the natural release. Next time I will try for three minutes.

  19. pdr654
    pdr654 says:

    Turned out perfect. Followed the recipe to the letter. I did put my eggs in an ice bath afterwards to make it easier to peel the shell off. Next time I will try with a dozen eggs, to see if it works just as well.

  20. CristinGueho
    CristinGueho says:

    The cook times are correct. I don’t use the trivet and add distilled vinegar to the water. I think it makes peeling easier.

  21. C.W.
    C.W. says:

    First time trying medium steamed eggs for 4 min. Hope I understood natural release,as letting pot do it own release at the end of cook time? Then placed eggs into cold water. Seemed long so finally thought to look in manual to define natural release. It cools down itself. Just as I thought,wasn’t sure! Noticed keep warm was on,so turned off. Don’t know if now I should do release or not? Pressure never released from kid with steam. Waited, window said Lo42. Don’t know how long eggs cooked for.Eggs came out very nice, just brown inside of shell at one end. Do to not knowing when to remove cover.

  22. Instant Pot
    Instant Pot says:

    Hi 85moebetta,

    You would set it to Pressure Cook. The Manual Button was recently renamed Pressure Cook, anytime you see a recipe say select Manaual, Select Pressure Cook.

  23. cabeagen
    cabeagen says:

    I tried 2 different times and both came out the same; not hard boiled. I would grade them as medium cooked. The 1st attempt was according to written directions using 4 eggs; the 2nd attempt was adjusting time to 6 minutes using 2 eggs. I have better luck the old fashioned way (on stove top in boiling water). I hope I am not disappointed when trying other recipes. Very disappointed. I hope this purchase was not a waste of money.

  24. Theresa
    Theresa says:

    I have an Instant Pot Aura Pro (8 quart) This pot is not pictured in any descriptions and has no valve. I’m confused how to use the Aura Pot since it has different features (no valve to release pressure) If anyone has an Instant Pot Aura – please help. Thank you

  25. Instant Pot
    Instant Pot says:

    Hi Theresa,

    The Instant Pot Aura is a multicooker and not a pressure cooker. Recipes for your unit are labeled Multicooker in the title and cooking method.

  26. Cindy
    Cindy says:

    My new Instant Pot smart WiFi does not have a manual button which is called for in all recipes! I probable will never use the WiFi option. Is there a way to disable it?

  27. Dancingdiva
    Dancingdiva says:

    This works But if you want the egg smell to not be there put a teaspoon of white vinegar in the water when it’s cooking.

  28. jharker
    jharker says:

    For 12 large hard boiled eggs:
    5 min on low pressure
    5 minutes natural release
    Then quick release and transfer to cold water for 1 min or more.

    Yolk is bright yellow with no grey and eggs peel like magic.

  29. kajosp
    kajosp says:

    After reading through the replies, and feeling adventurous, I tried doing 18 large eggs (w/1 c water) on high for 5 minutes, natural release for another 5 minutes, then quick release followed by an ice water bath for 5 minutes. The result: excellent hard cooked eggs, no gray or green ring around the yokes, and peeled quickly and easily!

  30. Instant Pot
    Instant Pot says:

    Congratulations! It is definitely one of the most underrated uses of the Instant Pot especially how easy they are to peel.

  31. JenniFerReals
    JenniFerReals says:

    I’ve had my Pot over a month and was afraid to use it. Finally got brave and decided to try it out. My eggs turned out just right and they peeled just right. As soon as the eggs were done I turned right around and used it as a slow cooker for something else. The barrier has been broken!

  32. Midgie
    Midgie says:

    Jus received my Duo Instant Pot & did the water test then got adventurous & tried this recipe. I have never peeled eggs so easily in such a long time. I did add a drop of vinegar to the water as I always do when boiling in a pot. On to the next challenge…. pot roast lol Love my Instant Pot!!!!

  33. Sophia
    Sophia says:

    I have an IP Max.
    Reading the IP recipe above it states Low Pressure.
    I’ve noticed in folk’s post’s saying they are using High Pressure. What is the difference?
    Should the Egg’s be Room Temperature or is it okay to use Cold Egg’s?
    How many Large to X-large Egg’s can you safely place in the IP using the IP recipe above?
    If you find that the Egg’s are not cooked thoroughly to your liking, can you put the Egg’s back into the IP and “Re-Steam” for an additional minute or two?
    What is the Average Pressure Temperature when steaming the Egg’s on Low Pressure for 5 minutes?
    Do you have a Recipe for Poached Egg’s?

  34. AJ
    AJ says:

    6 large eggs 3 minutes quick-release I had the perfect soft Yoke’s not really gooey but if I was going to make hard-boiled eggs I would probably go to 4 minutes very easy to peel ice water bath

  35. Shannon
    Shannon says:

    I did 5 minute high pressure 5 minute natural release then quick released remaining pressure then soak eggs in cold water perfect hard boiled eggs

  36. sergiofaro
    sergiofaro says:

    Not sure what “Natural Release” is. When the presurw timer finishes it goes to “Keep Warm” mode.
    Is it what it means?

  37. Kalleigh
    Kalleigh says:

    This is the absolute BEST way to boil eggs! NEVER burnt! This is what made my husband interested in how to use the Instant Pot!

  38. Jan J
    Jan J says:

    I don’t have an Insta Pot. My husband actually splurged and bought me an Emeril Lagasse multi-cooker. If the Insta Pot works as mine, I would be in heaven. We use ours for EVERYTHING. I got at Thanksgiving last year and the first thing I cooked was hard boiled eggs, 12 at a time, did it 4 times and all 48 eggs turned out perfectly. 5 min hi pressure, 5 min slow release then into cold water. I did put some salt in the water before cooking them. We have cooked everything from chicken to skirt steak…always comes out perfectly cooked and SOOOO tender!

  39. Angela
    Angela says:

    This is my first for many things…first off using my IP! I did the 5/5/5 method (I’ve heard other posters mention). Cook for 5 minutes, natural pressure release for 5 minutes, and right into an ice bath for 5 minutes. I hate the peeling part…except for today!! One knock on the top and bottom of egg, then a pressure hand roll frontwards and back once and the shell came right off!! No nicks, cuts left over pieces, or me swearing at eggs lol. I’m so glad I one bought my IP and two found people willing to take the time to perfect and post these recipes. Thank you so much!! Happy Holidays to all

  40. Julie
    Julie says:

    Uh, nope, did not work on first try. New to instant pot. Large brown eggs in the egg trivet with 1 cup water. Set to low pressure, 4 min for soft-medium eggs.

    When the timer went off I depressurized, and the eggs barely felt warm. I cracked one open and was greeted with liquid yolk and gooey white. That’s not even soft-boiled. That’s not done.

    I don’t get what I did wrong.

  41. Julie
    Julie says:

    Ah, well, if you’re a newbie like me, make sure you know what natural release means, haha. It means let it just sit there for 3-5 min.

  42. Shannon
    Shannon says:

    at low pressure for 5 minutes. the eggs weren’t cooked. I did it for another 5 and they still weren’t cooked. I’ll try again with different instructions. Odd that other people had overcooked eggs it appears.

  43. Rod Hegler
    Rod Hegler says:

    I used the 5/5/5 instructions and my hard boiled eggs came out perfect. I have never had eggs so easy to peel!

  44. Rod Hegler
    Rod Hegler says:

    I used the 5/5/5 instructions and my hard boiled eggs came out perfect. I have never had eggs so easy to peel! I just love my InstantPot!

  45. Mangolini
    Mangolini says:

    5 mins with quick release resulted in incredibly difficult-to-peel eggs with uncooked yolks 🙁 Think my eggs are too fresh regarding the peeling but quick release is definitely not the right move.

  46. Mel
    Mel says:

    We love hard boiled eggs…but hate peeling them. Did 5 min on low pressure and then did natural release for anothet 5 min before I did the manual. SOOO EASY to peel!!! So much better than boiling. Thanks for the recipe…will definitely make again…and again…and again

  47. sam
    sam says:

    Meh. can’t expect much from the internet with bogus info.
    for me hard-boiled large eggs, 11+ minutes (QUICK) release in cold water for another 5+ minutes.

    Stop telling people to use ice water as many people these days don’t have ice on hand or room in their freezer to keep ice trays. That went out in the early 70s.

  48. Gloria Carrera
    Gloria Carrera says:

    I don’t think I will ever use another method for hard boiled eggs! I did 5 minutes on low pressure, a quick release and the ice bath for probably about 20 minutes or more. They came out of the shell so easy (Yippee!) and were perfectly cooked. Thanks!

  49. Barbara
    Barbara says:

    I learned a great hint from Tik-Tok. First of all I have backyard chickens (3) so I use a lot of eggs because I get 3 every day. Fresh eggs are notorious for being difficult to peel. But here’s the hint. Tap one end of the egg slightly to make a hairline crack–then cook them in the IP. Then when finished crack it with a spoon, dump it in an ice bath. They peel like a dream. By the way, my eggs are large and I cooked 8 of them for 6 minutes.

  50. Frankdhispano
    Frankdhispano says:

    Eggs need ti be at room temp for this method to work – if at all. If using eggs straight out of the fridge, use high pressure and let pressure drop naturally – especially for hard boiled eggs.

  51. wftomlin
    wftomlin says:

    I tried the 5-5-5 method (twice), but the float valve dropped 3 minutes into the natural release. Yolks came out runny. Any ideas why the pressure dropped so fast?

  52. Albert
    Albert says:

    5 minutes and quick release andnice water produced digusting nearly liquid large eggs that were not even half cooked. I put them back in for another 5 minutes and will have to live with the results this time. I will try the 5 minutes and natural release then ice water.

  53. Carolyn Grady
    Carolyn Grady says:

    Perfect! Best hard boiled egg I have ever made! I have a small Instant Pot. I added 1 cup water, the trivet, 4 eggs, low pressure for 5 minutes, natural release for 5 minutes, quick release, then ice bath. Wonderful!

  54. Becky
    Becky says:

    I just tried this in my Nesco Pressure cooker/canner. Pressure cook setting for 5 minutes, natural release for 5 and ice water bath for 5. My eggs were cooked perfect and had NO green ring around the yolk! Thank you for sharing this!

  55. Dave
    Dave says:

    I think the instantpot for soft boiled eggs is just not going to work (at least not mine). It takes forever to get up to temperature / pressure by which time the eggs are already hardboiled. Same deal with the pressure relief – takes a couple of minutes and during that time the eggs are still cooking. By that the time you’re done with this cooking method you could have cooked them in a pan with boiling water much easier and had more control over things.

    Also, folks saying the times are wrong – of course they may or may not work for you. The amount of water affects it, the amount of eggs affects it, size of the eggs affects it, which instantpot you have affects it. There is no, one size fits all.

  56. Jerry
    Jerry says:

    Here at 6,200 feet elevation, I cooked at low pressure for 3 minutes followed by a 6 minute natural relief. I was expecting hard cooked eggs but got medium cooked eggs. I am going to pressure cook them for 4 minutes next time.

  57. Jimmy B
    Jimmy B says:

    I have had my Instant Pot for over a year. I have never tried fixing hard boiled eggs in it. I cooked 8 of them today for egg salad. Followed the instructions exactly, cooking them for 5 minutes, natural release for 5 minutes and then ice water bath. They came out perfect and the easiest to peel eggs I have ever fixed.

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