A few weeks ago I read a short little blurb in Bon Appetit Magazine about how to dye eggs using natural ingredients. I was fascinated. I guess it never crossed my mind since those fizzy colored tablets they sell in grocery stores this time of year are so inexpensive. Who knew you could use vegetables and spices to dye eggs?
As I sat there I wondered, does it really work? Did the pilgrims know about this? Holy canolies, what have I been missing all these years. My friend Jane is even doing it. Where have I been? Under a rock?
Since my chickens lay brown & green eggs I decided to splurge last week and buy 2 dozen white eggs at the store. I was worried if I used the brown eggs the dye would not be as vibrant, and in the end, I’m glad I went the white eggs {even if they were not as fresh as homegrown laid eggs}.
The process is surprisingly easy. Here are the simple directions:
Blue Eggs: Combine 2-3 cups chopped red cabbage, 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 4 cups of water and simmer for 3o minutes. Drain colored water in a large bowl and steep the desired number of hard-boiled eggs in the colored water for 3 hours {less time if you don’t want dark blue eggs}.
Yellow Eggs: Combine 2 teaspoons turmeric, 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and steep the desired number of hard-boiled eggs in the colored water for 2 hours {less time if you don’t want dark yellow eggs}.
Red Eggs: Combine 1 cup shredded beets {2-3 beets} , 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 4 cups of water and simmer for 3o minutes. Drain colored water in a large bowl and steep the desired number of hard-boiled eggs in the colored water for 3 hours {less time if you don’t want dark pink eggs}.
*Keep in mind that the longer you keep your eggs in the colored water, the deeper your eggs shells will turn out.
Dry your eggs on a cooling rack. Once the eggs have completely dried, use a paint brush to brush away any extra bits. See, I told you it was easy.
Have you done this before? What did you think? Pretty easy huh?
Looking for the ceramic egg rack featured in this photo? Amazon has it HERE.
Kari says
Last Easter we dyed brown eggs and I was surprised at how colorful they were. I think the dye actually works better on brown eggs. I have a question about your onions. How do you store them and how long do they last?
Angela says
I just read what you wrote…maybe I CAN dye some eggs after all!
Angela says
These turned out great! I thought about buying some white eggs from the store to dye but I just can’t when I have five dozen of my own sitting in the fridge!! It’s dawning on me that I have waaaay too many chickens, and yet I want more, lol!! 🙂
crystal says
do the eggs take on the taste of the veggie or spice? i wonder how paprika would do?
Mavis says
Good Question. I’ll try one for breakfast and let you know.
CathyB says
You can also use the papery part of onion skins to make orange eggs. It is one of my favorite colors for natural dyes. The onion and cabbage dyes seem to be the most reliable and vibrant of the colors that I have found.
Helen in Meridian says
My MIL used to dye all her eggs with onion skins. She would ask the grocer a week or so ahead to save her the loose onion skins. She was Swiss, and I think she had learned to dye eggs that way.
Mavis says
Do you dye your eggs this way? I think I’ll have to try it.
Melissa says
I stumbled upon this post while surfing through your page (fabulous, by the way!) Your side walk paint idea combined with these eggs led me to remember how we dyed eggs this year. Mix baking soda, food coloring (I know its not natural like you used in this post) and water to make a thick, paintable paste (think toothpaste consistency). Paint your eggs with the paste and let sit while you finish painting the rest of your eggs. Then one by one have the kids use medicine droppers to drop white vinegar on them to make color, fizzing, as my kids call them ‘volcano eggs.’ When the vinegar rinses off all of the paste you will have some vividly colored eggs 🙂 Do this outside to minimize mess and be prepared for colored hands but its well worth the points of awesomeness that I scored with my kids this year.
Sandi says
Overlay yellow and red onion skins around a raw egg and wrap with cheese cloth then hard boil. The result is a marbled appearance. It takes a bit of time but the results are awesome!