Hard-boiled eggs are a kitchen favorite due to their versatility, nutritional value, and ease of preparation. However, peeling them perfectly can be a frustrating task, often leaving you with jagged shell fragments and torn egg whites. If you’ve experienced this, you’re not alone.

Fortunately, French celebrity chef Jacques Pépin has shared a clever technique to help you achieve smooth, flawless results every time.

Why Do Hard-Boiled Eggs Stick to Their Shells?

The difficulty in peeling hard-boiled eggs comes from the air pocket inside the egg. As the egg cooks, the air pocket expands and pushes the egg white against the shell, making peeling tricky—especially with fresher eggs, where the membrane between the shell and the white is still strong. Without modifying your cooking method, you might find yourself dealing with shells that just won’t budge.

The Jacques Pépin Trick: A Simple Hole for Easy Peeling

Chef Jacques Pépin has introduced an ingenious yet simple solution to this common problem. His trick? Poking a tiny hole in the broad end of the eggshell before boiling. This small hole allows the air pocket to escape during cooking, which prevents the shell from sticking to the egg white. With this method, peeling your eggs becomes an effortless task.

How to Perfectly Poke the Hole: Step-by-Step

Although the concept is simple, a few key steps ensure you get the best results. Follow these instructions:

1. Choose Your Eggs: While this method works for eggs of any age, older eggs tend to peel more easily. If you’re using very fresh eggs, you may still need to be a bit more careful when peeling.
2. Get the Right Tool: You don’t need anything fancy. A pin, needle, or thumbtack will work perfectly to create a tiny hole in the eggshell without cracking it.
3. Poke the Hole: Hold the egg firmly and use your tool to gently create a small hole at the wider end of the egg, where the air pocket is located. This allows the air to escape as the egg cooks.
4. Be Gentle: The hole should be small enough to release the air but not so large that it cracks the egg. A delicate touch is key to keeping the egg intact.

Boiling the Eggs: Tips for Perfect Results

Once you’ve prepped the eggs with a small hole, follow these steps to cook them to perfection:

1. Boil the Water First: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil before adding the eggs. This helps you better control the cooking time.
2. Lower the Eggs Gently: Use a slotted spoon to gently place the eggs into the boiling water, which helps prevent cracks and ensures even cooking.
3. Timing Is Key: For soft-boiled eggs, cook for about 6 minutes. For medium-boiled, aim for 8–9 minutes. For hard-boiled, let them cook for 10–12 minutes, adjusting based on your preferred yolk consistency.
4. Use an Ice Bath: After the eggs are done, immediately transfer them to an ice water bath. This halts the cooking process and helps further loosen the shell, making peeling even easier.

With Jacques Pépin’s simple hack, peeling hard-boiled eggs will no longer be a challenge, leaving you with perfectly smooth eggs every time!