Learn how to dye Easter eggs naturally using real food ingredients, and without any chemical laden food dyes. It’s easy and the colors are so vibrant and fun!

Growing up, painting and decorating eggs was one of my favorite Easter activities. I’ve always loved coloring and colors, in general, and I still find dying eggs a very fun and relaxing activity that I look forward to.

These days, I don’t use artificial dyes which are filled with chemicals and toxins that are linked to hyperactivity, cancers, kidney failures, and various other health risks. Did you know that in Europe, most foods with artificial coloring come with a warning label?

Because of this, I dye Easter eggs naturally with dyes made with fruits, veggies, and other food items that you may easily have in your kitchen already. The result isn’t as strong and even as artificial food dyes, but I prefer the rustic and speckled look of these eggs more and I think they are far more beautiful.

I especially love how the blue turned out. I made the dye for it using red cabbage leaves and the result is such a gorgeous and vibrant shade of blue. My second favorite is the purple eggs made with grape juice, which turned out with a very cool, uneven design that makes them look almost galaxy-like.

The whole process is so easy and it’s something you can do as a family, even with little kids. And you won’t have to worry that they might put the dye in their mouths, as all the ingredients are 100% real food. But if you want to cut time and use prepackaged dyes, you can purchase these natural, plant based food dyes that are toxin free.

If you do decide to dye Easter eggs naturally, let me know how they turn out! I love getting comments from you guys of what you think of my recipes or tutorials, whether they are positive or negative (in a CONSTRUCTIVE way). It helps me improve my content and keep growing as a blogger!

How to Dye Easter Eggs Natually

Author: Jean Choi

Learn how to dye Easter eggs naturally using real food ingredients, and without any chemical laden food dyes. It's easy and the colors are so vibrant and fun!

Print

Ingredients

Hard boiled eggs

• Brown shelled eggs for color green
• White shelled eggs for all other colors
• Water
• Ice

Dye base

• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp white vinegar

For red/deep pink

• 2 cups shredded beets

For orange

• 2 cups yellow onion skin

For yellow

• 1/4 cup turmeric powder

For green and blue (use brown eggs for green and white eggs for blue)

• 2 cups shredded red cabbage

For purple (omit water for this one)

• 2 cups grape juice

For brown (omit water for this one)

• 2 cups strong brewed coffee cooled

Instructions

Hard boiled eggs

1. Bring water to a boil in a pot over medium high heat.  

2. Gently lower the eggs into the water so they don't break, and let it come to a boil again. Once it does, lower the heat, and let the eggs simmer for 11 minutes.

3. Prepare a large bowl with an ice bath.

4. Once the eggs are done cooking, transfer them to the ice bath for at least 15 minutes. 

For red/deep pink, orange, yellow, green, and blue

1. Place 2 cups of water and color ingredient in a saucepan. 

2. Heat over high heat until the mixture comes to a boil. 
   

3. Turn down the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.  

4. Let the dye liquid cool for one hour, then strain. 

5. Place the liquid in a jar or a glass container, then add vinegar.
   

6. Add the eggs into the dye then place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

7. Once the eggs have dyed to your liking, carefully remove from the dye and place on a paper towel lined plate and let them air dry. Try not to wipe or smudge with your fingers until completely dry. 

For purple and brown

1. Combine the color ingredient and vinegar in a jar. 

2. Add eggs to the dye.

3. Place in the refrigerator for 24 hours. 

4. Once the eggs have dyed to your liking, carefully remove from the dye and place on a paper towel lined plate and let them air dry. Try not to wipe or smudge with your fingers until completely dry.