How To Make Your Own Egg Dyes

Making your own Easter egg dyes is a fun way to make natural dyes from things found right in your fridge and cupboard. We find these rich, earthy hues can’t be achieved with regular store bought dye. P.S. Kid’s will love this!

It’s important to understand it’s not as easy and quick as dropping the little tablet in hot water and adding vinegar. Even though it takes a while to do, wouldn’t you rather have some beets or spinach seep into your egg instead of artificial colors?

TIPS

  • To prevent eggs from cracking while boiling, use room-temperature eggs instead of cold ones.
  • Dyes can be made ahead of time.
  • Use a glass canning jar or a small bowl to soak the eggs. Smaller containers makes it easier to cover the whole egg.
  • Adding vinegar will help to make the colors brighter.
  • For shiny eggs, rub with vegetable oil after the dye is dry – then polish with a paper towel.
  • Dyed Easter eggs can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week.

BOILED DYES

  1. Bring 2 cups of water to a rolling boil.
  2. Add the coloring ingredient.
  3. Reduce your heat and simmer for about 30 minutes – longer for the deeper color.
  4. Strain the mixture into a large canning jar and cool to room temperature – about 2-3 hours.
  5. Add 2 tablespoons white vinegar and stir.
  6. Add 2 or 3 hard-boiled eggs as long as they are completely immersed.
  7. Seal the jar and refrigerate overnight, or until the egg is the color you want.
COLOR per 2 cups water
PURPLE 1 ½ cup shredded beets
ORANGE 3 tbsp. chili powder
RUST 1 cup yellow onion skins (7 onions)
YELLOW 2 tbsp. turmeric or cumin
LT. GREEN 2 cups chopped spinach
LT. BLUE 1 ½ cups shredded red cabbage

NO BOIL DYES

These will be used undiluted – skip the boiling.

  1. Strain liquid into a large canning jar.
  2. Add and stir 2 tbsp. white vinegar.
  3. Add 3 hard-boiled eggs until completely covered.
  4. Seal the jar, then refrigerate overnight – or until desired color is achieved.
  5. Rub dried eggs with a bit of vegetable oil for a shinier finish (optional).
COLOR per 2 cups water
BLUE 2 cups grape juice
DARK BLUE 2 cups blueberry juice
BROWN 2 cups brewed coffee

ADJUSTING FOR COLORING INTENSITY

Natural dyes will require a bit more patience than the grocery store dye kits. Generally, it can take five minutes to four hours – it really depends on your desired outcome.

Eggs can be left in the dye for a few hours or longer, like overnight in the fridge. e.g. Left in beet dye for just an hour or two will create a nice light pink. When soaked overnight it turns a very earthy, pinkish-brown.

The most vibrant colors will come from the cabbage, blueberries and turmeric.

REMOVING THE EGGS

Be careful not to damage the dye coating,  (a very thin film over the egg) to obtain a richer color. Use a spoon to remove them from the solution, then lay them gently on paper towel without touching them until dry. If you happen to smudge or wash the eggs, you will end up with mottled or light colored eggs.

You can choose to leave the solids in or remove them. If you leave them in, you’ll achieve a mottled or marbled effect. Removing the solids creates a more even coloring.

These earthy hues can not could not be achieved with store bought dye. It’s a great way to show kids the process of making and mixing natural dyes from things right out of the fridge and cupboard.