Why there’s a green ring around your hard boiled egg | May 25, 2025

Eggs are a common staple in everyone’s diet. High in protein with no sugar, eggs are one of the most versatile foods out there. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a snack, eggs can easily be added to any diet. Hard-boiled eggs, in particular, are popular as they are so quick to make.
But have you noticed that green ring around the yolk? Yes, it definitely can be gross-looking. The good news is that this green ring doesn’t always happen. And, if you want to get rid of it for good, it’s completely within your control. (Read further, we’ll tell you how.)
First, when you cut open a hard boiled egg and you notice a greenish ring, it’s the first sign that the egg itself wasn’t actually cooked properly.

Specifically, the discoloration is an indicator that the egg was overcooked, similar to how meat or rice might also get darker when overcooked.
What causes this color change?
Hydrogen sulfide from the egg white interacts with iron from the yolk. This process causes the change in color.