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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!
Note from Danielle
I’m a firm believer that hard-boiled eggs (HBEs) are underrated when it comes to turning them into lunch meals! Yes, there’s egg salad and deviled eggs, but there’s also cobb salad, pasta salad, niçoise salad, and so many more options!
All of these ideas make incredible meal prep lunch options, and I’m here to prove it to you. I’m also answering questions about how to prepare your eggs so there’s less smell, how long eggs last, if you can freeze them, and more!
My goal is to show you there are tons of uses for those HBEs besides just eating them plain! I’ve got some egg info for you, then my list of 15 Lunch Recipes With Hard-Boiled Eggs!
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!
- Boil – How to Boil Eggs from RecipeTin Eats, the most common method with instructions included for runny yolks, soft-boiled and hard-boiled.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
How long can hard-boiled eggs be stored in the fridge before they go bad?
According to the USDA, hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days, peeled or unpeeled.
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
This Chef Salad recipe is a super basic template for a salad of crisp veggies, deli meats and cheeses, and of course, hard boiled eggs. I like to add one HBE per serving, but add as many or as few as you want. Honestly, HBEs can go into any lunch salad, but I particularly love the homemade dressing in this one!
Did you know egg salad comes in tons of variations? Even if you did know this, I'm betting there are one or two fresh ideas on this list you've never seen! Personally, the next hard-boiled egg lunch idea I try is going to be this one from Pinch of Yum!
This vegetarian version of the classic French Niçoise Salad is a perfect use of hard-boiled eggs, especially if you're looking for something that *isn't* egg salad. The combo of potatoes, green beans, and white beans makes a deliciously filling meal, with a simple lemon vinaigrette that ties it all together.
All the flavors and tang of deviled eggs, but so much quicker to whip up. No need to separate the yolks and whites or cut them oh so carefully. Just mix everything together for this make-ahead friendly egg salad! Don't worry - it's a thicker egg salad that works well for meal prep 🙂
Egg salad doesn't have to be creamy and full of mayo! This Mediterranean egg salad is loaded with chickpeas, cucumbers, cabbage and fresh herbs. Probably the most veggie packed lunch idea on this list. Make-ahead friendly for up to 3 days!
Another classic lunch salad that's only made better with the addition of HBEs. Chicken breast, bacon, tomatoes, all the components of a classic Cobb. I've had a cobb salad, but I've never tried this gorgeous green avocado dressing before! This one's on my list for summer!!
I personally love just slicing up an HBE and layering it on toast, so why not make it a full sandwich?? This recipe has a special sandwich spread and tons of ideas for toppings. Pickles and pickled onions for me please!
Up next in the egg salad variations department we have Tuna Egg Salad! This is one of my favorites if I'm looking for a protein packed lunch salad. Not too much tuna, not too much egg. Best on crackers or turned into a sandwich!
Eggs are such a versatile protein. As demonstrated by this Punjabi Egg Curry from north India. If you're a tomato lover, definitely give this recipe a try. You could prep the sauce ahead of time, then reheat and tuck the eggs in when you're about to enjoy it!
If you're a pasta loving fam, this one is for you. Loaded with celery, olives, pickles and red onion, it's got all the flavors of deviled eggs, but in pasta salad form! Leftovers can be stored for up to 5 days, making this a lunch you can enjoy all week.
Sometimes, the simplest lunch combos can be the most delicious. It might look like a rather basic combo, but hard boiled eggs are basic, what can I say? Sliced up, they're a nice addition to this BLTA action. Don't forget the salt & pepper!
If some version of egg salad is not your thing, how about pairing those leftover HBEs with some fingers foods to make adult lunchables? I love this idea (you can find my version here) but I never thought to put hard boiled eggs in them!
Sure, you might think of potato salad as a potluck or BBQ side dish, but add a little protein (like HBEs!), and it can actually be quite a filling lunch. All you need is three hard boiled eggs for this make-ahead friendly salad!
Keep it simple with this Hard Boiled Egg and Avocado Bowl. It's quick and easy, plus no further cooking needed if you've already got those hard-boiled eggs. The creamy avocado and the crunchy veggies add all the right textures and colors to this light lunch idea!
I feel like we all have our favorite kind of deviled eggs - this is mine! Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Sauce has a special place in my heart, I swear. Of course, you can make this a meal by pairing with a salad, meat and crackers, or just as an appetizer to the rest of your lunch!
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!
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