Creating natural dyed eggs is a no brainer! They are safe, fun to make and produce little waste! These simple recipes call for household ingredients like fruit and vegetables.
For each dye: Let simmer for 30 minutes, and then remove pot from burner. Be sure to strain the dye, and let sit until it’s room temperature before dipping your eggs. It is helpful to use foil pans to transfer the hot liquid so you can let them cool while reusing the pots for other dyes. For best results, keep the eggs soaking overnight for vibrant colors! We used wide mouth mason jars to hold the eggs, and it is best to keep them in the refrigerator overnight for vibrant colors!
Colors:
Bluish-Gray Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature and remove blueberries. Add 2 Tbsp. salt and 2 Tbsp. Vinegar. If you want a deeper blue, you can smash the blueberries and leave them in the jar with the eggs. It also gives it a fun texture!
Blue Cut a head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and 2 Tbsp. salt. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.
Green Boil three cups of fresh spinach in 2 cups of water. Boil and strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar and 2 Tbsp. salt
Orange Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes or until you see color; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar and 2 Tbsp. salt.
Yellow 2 Tbsp. turmeric to 1 cup of water, bring to a boil. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar and 2 Tbsp. salt. You can also use 2 Tbsp. of saffron for a deeper yellow.
Brown Add 3 tablespoons of instant coffee to 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add 2 tbsp of vinegar.
Pink Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and 2 Tbsp. salt. Strain out beets and cool.
Light Purple Mix 2 cups grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar. (You can use the grape juice cold, skipping the boiling step)
Tips:
- The addition of vinegar and salt helps to set the color so be sure to add those to the other ingredients of your choosing
- You can also rub coconut or olive oil on the eggs after removing from the dye to enhance the color and help them shine!
- For different textures and patterns, you can cut up different fresh herbs or flowers and place them on old nylon stockings that have been cut into small squares. Place the egg on top and wrap the nylon around it, tying it tight with a twist tie or rubber band. Soak overnight and remove the herbs to reveal the beautiful patterns! Check out our Pinterest page for inspiration!