Start by filling a medium-sized pot with about an inch of water. Place your steamer basket or steaming rack inside the pot, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the basket. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Once the water is boiling, carefully place the eggs in the steamer basket. Make sure they’re not overcrowded; they should be in a single layer for even cooking.
Cover the pot with the lid and let the eggs steam for about 12-14 minutes. For firm yolks, aim for the longer end of the time range.
While the eggs are steaming, prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with cold water and ice. This will help halt the cooking process once the eggs are removed from the heat.
Once the steaming time is up, use a slotted spoon to transfer the eggs directly into the ice bath. Let them sit for about 5-10 minutes, ensuring they cool completely.
Gently tap each egg on a hard surface to crack the shell, then peel under running water for even easier removal. Once peeled, season the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper, and garnish with chopped chives. Enjoy your delicious steamed hard-boiled eggs either warm or chilled!