How to color eggs using food dye for Easter!
Celebrate the spring holiday with a splash of creativity and a dash of nature's magic!
Servings: 12
By: Heather Bursch
Equipment
- 1 saucepan with lid
- 1 vegetable peeler
- 1 empty egg carton
- 1 tongs
Ingredients
- 1 dozen white eggs - Do ahead: make them hard-boiled
- large handful of onion skins
- large handful of carrot peelings - from 2-3 carrots
- handful of beet skin peelings - from at least one big beet
- 2-3 full red cabbage leaves chopped
- 2 large handfuls of greens - herbs, kale, carrot tops, spinach, or any green vegetable you have!
- Use your imagination!
Instructions
Prepare your dye mixtures:
- Gather chopped-up vegetables or scraps, thinking big handfuls for each batch. You can make as many batches at a time if you have extra pots and pans.
- For each color batch and vegetable stew you make, combine one quart of water and three tablespoons of white vinegar in a pot.
- Pick one handful or more of your chosen natural dye ingredients above and add it to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, then let it simmer for 30 minutes to extract the food colors. Set aside to cool.
- Repeat with the next batch as desired.
Strain your dyes:
- Once the dye has cooled, strain out the solids using a strainer, leaving behind the colorful liquid in separate bowls or jars.
- Let the dyes fully cool to room temperature before proceeding. You don't want to re-cook your eggs!
Dyeing your eggs:
- Place your white hard-boiled eggs into the dye baths using a slotted spoon, tongs, or ladle.
- Allow the eggs to sit in the dye for at least 30 minutes or longer for deeper colors.
- Rotate and flip them once for even coverage.
- For a unique design, experiment with wrapping rubber bands or applying Washi tape to the eggs before dyeing.
Inspect and dry:
- Carefully lift your eggs from their dye baths and let them dry with a paper towel or rag, gently.
- Look over your eggs and decide whether to re-dip for a darker shade, leave it as is, or remove the tape and dip in a new color. It's an experiment! Read the FAQs below about what can happen with too many dips!
- If you leave your eggs in the dye for longer, put your container in the refrigerator. You can even leave your eggs dyeing in the fridge overnight!
Admire your work:
- Behold your unique and one-of-a-kind homemade dyed eggs. Store your eggs in the fridge, display your beautifully colored eggs for an event (see safety storage tips below), or hide them for a festive egg hunt.
Storage and safety of hard-boiled eggs:
- Hard-boiled eggs should be refrigerated within two hours after cooking. When taken out for a meal, picnic, or an egg hunt, put them back in the fridge within two hours. Unpeeled eggs are good for up to seven days.
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