15 Lunch Recipes With Hard-Boiled Eggs

If you’ve got leftover hard-boiled eggs or you’re just looking for new lunch ideas, browse this list of 15 Lunch Recipes With Hard-Boiled Eggs! There are salads, sandwiches, adult lunchables and more, all make-ahead friendly!

Why pack eggs for lunch?

• Eggs are an incredibly versatile protein – good for salads, sandwiches, snack plates, breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.
• Eggs are a high-quality protein that are widely accessible and generally lower in cost than most meats.
• They have a longer shelf life than most home cooked meats, and last up to 7 days in the fridge after hard-boiling.
• Eggs are eaten around the world and prepared in a variety of ways – I guarantee there’s something on this list you’ve never tried!

How do you reduce the smell of hard boiled eggs when cooking and storing?

To reduce the smell of hard-boiled eggs, add a tablespoon or two of white vinegar to the egg cooking water. This helps neutralize odors and keeps the pH lower, so the chemical reaction that causes the odor slows down.

It’s also important to keep an eye on your eggs – overcooking will result in an even more unpleasant smell that you can’t cover up!

Should I use fresh eggs or older eggs for hard boiling?

It is best to avoid using fresh eggs for hard-boiling. For easier peeling, use eggs that are at least 7 days old or more for hard-boiling. In theory, the closer to the date on the carton, the easier the eggs will be to peel.

To test how old your eggs are, do the water test. Fresh eggs have less air, so they will lay flat on the bottom of the glass of water. If the egg floats all the way up to the top, it has gone bad and you shouldn’t eat it.

As the eggs age, they lose moisture, creating air pockets as the egg shrinks ever so slightly away from the membrane. This makes peeling easier (and is the reason they start to stand on end during the water test).

5 Methods for Making Hard-Boiled Eggs

There are several methods for making hard-boiled eggs (if you don’t already have an unruly amount leftover 😂). If you have a method for making them that you love, stick with it!

My favorite way is to use the Instant Pot because it’s so hands-off, but of course stovetop and steaming are fabulous methods too. I’ve never tried using the Air Fryer or baking in the oven, but other people have!

1. Boil – How to Boil Eggs from RecipeTin Eats, the most common method with instructions included for runny yolks, soft-boiled and hard-boiled.
2. Steam – How to Steam Hard-Boiled Eggs from Simply Recipes, directions using a steamer basket with lots of notes of how to make easy peel eggs.
3. Instant Pot – The Instant Pot 5-5-5 Method from Delish, this timing gives you perfect hard-boiled eggs, but you can play with the times to get them perfectly cooked according to you!
4. Oven Baked – Hard Boiled Eggs in the Oven from Eating on a Dime, such a great way to make a lot at a time without the hassle of boiling water.
5. Air Fryer – Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs from Feel Good Foodie, this might be the fastest method on the list, no preheating or waiting for water to boil.

Can hard-boiled eggs be seasoned or flavored to make them taste better?

This might be a no-brainer, but a simple dash of salt and pepper can mean the world for adding flavor to hard-boiled eggs! For more super simple ideas to add flavor, I also recommend hot sauce, cheese, bacon, chili crisp, or Kewpie mayo!

What’s the best method for peeling hard-boiled eggs easily?

Here are the top tips I could find for easy peeling eggs:

• Use older eggs rather than fresh eggs.
• Steaming eggs seems to be the most recommended method for easy peeling (love this article on Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs from Serious Eats!).
• If boiling, lower eggs into already boiling water instead of cold water. Hot-start makes easier to peel eggs.
• Be sure to shock the eggs in an ice bath after cooking to cool them down completely – I’ve read this also helps with peeling.

Can hard-boiled eggs be frozen for later use?

According to The American Egg Board, it is not recommended to freeze hard-boiled eggs or egg whites because they become tough and watery when frozen. It is possible to freeze fresh uncooked eggs and cooked egg yolks – read more on that in Can You Freeze Eggs?

Can I reheat hard-boiled eggs, or are they best served cold?

I prefer to eat hard-boiled eggs cold (or freshly after cooking). Never reheat whole or unpeeled eggs in the microwave – they will explode! This is not an exaggeration. The moisture in the egg turns to steam which can build up within the shell, which can lead to an explosion once the egg is cracked. Seriously, don’t do this.

If you absolutely must have your hard-boiled eggs reheated, try this method using a pan and boiling water from Simply Recipes – The Only Way to Reheat Hard-Boiled Eggs.

How to pack hard boiled eggs for later:

Hard-boiled eggs can be stored peeled or unpeeled and will last the same amount of time either way. Many sources say it’s best to leave them unpeeled until you’re about to eat them. However, I always peel all of my hard-boiled eggs at the same time right after cooking and have never had an issue.

The most important thing is to ensure the eggs are stored in the fridge in some kind of airtight container and enjoyed within 7 days.

15 Lunch Recipes With Hard-Boiled Eggs

More HBE ideas that don’t require a recipe:

• HBEs with chili crisp on top
• HBEs with bacon and cheese (bacon eggers!)
• smashed HBEs with kewpie mayo, hot sauce and furikake
• sliced HBEs on toast

I hope I’ve convinced you that make-ahead lunch recipes with hard-boiled eggs can be irresistible and delicious! Not to mention, accessible, cheap, and versatile. Which one are you trying?? Let me know in the comments below!