Easter is right around the corner so I thought I would re-post this easy How to dye eggs naturally post.
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Did you know you can dye eggs with natural ingredients?
Since my chickens lay brown & green eggs, last year I decided to splurge and buy 2 dozen white eggs at the store and give it a try. 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.
CathyB says
I have done this several times before and it is fun with the kids. I love the color blue from the red cabbage. I have always gotten somewhat mixed and marginal results from the beets. My favorite color is to use the papery outer skins from a bag of onions and boil them in water w/ a little vinegar, strain, and use to dye the eggs a beautiful orange color.
Wynne says
I had problems with beets, too. These eggs look gorgeous, though.
AJ says
Do you eat your colored eggs? I hate to waste the eggs but I want to display them and I can’t imagine they’re edible after being at room temperature for a few days. What do you do??
Mavis says
I make egg salad sandwiches. 🙂
JS says
You can blow out the uncooked eggs using a small tool you should be able to find at a craft store. You should be able to use the egg you blew out to make…I’m thinking scrambled eggs, but there must be other uses for them as well. Then you can color the shells and display them.
Lisa says
I have dyed eggs this way with really nice results. I have boiled the eggs for a long time (an hour or more) with the onion skin dye and then they keep indefinitely. I’ve also pre-boiled the eggs (again, an hour) and then dyed in a cold cabbage dye bath to keep them as decor. I also wrap flowers and leaves around the eggs with squares of old nylons prior to dyeing and the results are gorgeous!