Creative Ways to Naturally Dye Easter Eggs

In our previous article about Easter, we shared some delightful ideas for traditional spring treats. Today, we will offer you guidance on how to dye your eggs naturally, using colors from plants and avoiding any harmful chemicals. While the process might take a bit more time, the outcome will undoubtedly be rewarding. Along with your “vegetable” color sources, ensure you also have sufficient plain vinegar and baking soda on hand.

Before you start dyeing, make sure your eggs are properly prepared. They should be washed and degreased to better hold the dye. You can easily achieve this by wiping the eggs with a cloth soaked in vinegar. A handy tip is to remove the coating on the egg—this can be done with a sponge dipped in vinegar. Depending on the color you’re aiming for, the eggs should be dyed either in cold or warm water.

For cold dyeing, first prepare your dye. Boil your selected ingredients for 15 to 30 minutes, then strain the mixture and allow it to cool completely. Place the dye in a jar, mix in the vinegar, and stir well. After that, gently submerge your already cooked and cooled hard-boiled eggs into the dye and let them soak for several hours or even overnight in the fridge. For warm dyeing, start in the same way. Boil the ingredients for 20 to 30 minutes, then strain. Return the hot dye to the pot and let it simmer with the eggs until they reach your desired color, which should take no longer than 10 minutes. Once they are done, cool the eggs in cold water.

After you have dyed the eggs, set them out to dry on an absorbent surface without them touching one another. Lastly, you can add a shiny finish by polishing them with a piece of bacon, butter, or oil.

Alchemy of Colours from Natural Sources

Yellow – To achieve a bright yellow hue, turmeric works exceptionally well. For 500 ml of water, mix in 2 tablespoons of turmeric and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. You can dye eggs using either the cold or warm method.

Orange, Red, and Brown – Use onion skins for reliable results. By boiling the skins of 10 yellow onions along with 2 tablespoons of vinegar in 500 ml of water, you can obtain vibrant orange, striking red, and dark reddish-brown shades. For a richer, uniform color, it’s best to dye the eggs using the warm method.
Red Eggs were highly valued in history—red symbolized a significant color, and young women often kept red eggs for their beloved ones. Additionally, the red color was thought to protect against evil spirits and demons.

Deep Brick Orange – Boil 500 ml of water and add 2 tablespoons of ground paprika (use 3 teaspoons for a lighter shade) and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. This will yield a very rich brick-red color.

Pink and Bordeaux – For a lovely pink color, beetroot or red wine are excellent choices. The intensity of the color can be adjusted by extending the dyeing time. For beetroot dye, prepare 500 ml of water, blend in 400 g of grated beetroot, and add 2 tablespoons of vinegar. It’s best to dye with beetroot using the cold method. However, if you prefer red wine, use it warm and remember to mix in two tablespoons of vinegar (also 500 ml).

Blue Shades from Turquoise to Indigo – The magic of blue dyeing happens through vinegar and baking soda. The key ingredient is red cabbage. The colors depend on the pH level of the solution—an alkaline mixture with baking soda will create a light blue, while adding vinegar will produce a deeper indigo hue, reaching towards purple. To dye the eggs, use about ¼ of a red cabbage head (around 600 g shredded) and 500 ml of water. You can add either 2 tablespoons of vinegar or 2 teaspoons of baking soda to the mix, depending on the effect you desire. For the best color absorption, dye the eggs in cold water, and for a stronger color, leave them in the dye for up to 12 hours.
Another method for achieving a bluish color involves using a strong hibiscus infusion (like hibiscus tea) combined with a spoon of vinegar for a darker blue hue.

Green Shades, Light and Dark – A fresh spring green can be made using spinach puree or parsley. For this, boil half a cube of spinach puree with 750 ml of water. Salt the spinach for better color retention, and remember to dye the eggs while warm.
If you wish to experiment further, try infusions of turmeric, red cabbage, and popular baking soda. This will yield richer colors than those from spinach or parsley alone. Start by dyeing the eggs in turmeric (warm) and then allow it to dry. Next, immerse the egg in cabbage juice while cold and let it dry again. Finally, dissolve 2 teaspoons of baking soda in 100 ml, place the egg in this solution, and allow it to dry.

Deep Dark Green – To achieve this shade, immerse the eggs in cabbage juice for an extended period, followed by a bath in a solution of water (100 ml) and 2 teaspoons of baking soda after drying.

Dark Green – Our great-grandmothers used dried alder bark to create magic. They would boil a handful of alder bark in 500 ml of water, add vinegar, and then submerge the eggs in the solution to dye them.

Light Green – For a light green color, our great-grandmothers would use lime blossom with caraway seeds. For 500 ml of water, combine 5 tablespoons of cumin and two handfuls of dried lime blossom. Finally, add a tablespoon of vinegar. The eggs should also be dyed while warm in this case.

Brown Eggs – The most well-known way to achieve brown egg shades is still through onion skins (as mentioned above). You can alternatively obtain brown shades by cooking them in oak bark; simply add about two tablespoons of oak bark and vinegar to 500 ml of water, boil the bark for a bit, and then add the eggs for dyeing. You can also achieve a darker brown by boiling the eggs in strong coffee with a tablespoon of vinegar or steeping them in strong black tea.

Black Eggs – The deepest shades are created by boiling the eggs in water mixed with a bit of soot.

Our Final Tip – Dye Quail Eggs!

You aren’t limited to dyeing just chicken eggs—today, you can easily find quail eggs as well. Thanks to their unique natural patterns and colorful shells, they can create a captivating array of unusual Easter eggs that are sure to brighten your holiday table and are sure to impress everyone. Quail eggs dyed in vibrant blue, orange, or yellow yield particularly striking results.