How to Naturally Dye Easter Eggs

Instead of purchasing chemical dyes this Easter, Candace Liccione for Inspired at Home shows us how to use natural fruit and vegetable dyes to color eggs. Natural dyes do not color as brightly but their natural beauty is stunning. Show kids how people colored food and clothing before chemical dyes. You can eat the hard-boiled eggs after dying with fruits and vegetables, but be aware that they might take on the color and taste of the dye. You can dye brown or white eggs, as some dyes work well on both.
 

To find out if an egg is raw or hard boiled, spin it on its side. A raw egg will wobble unsteadily and a hardboiled egg will spin easily.

Place your pre-boiled eggs into any of the following dye baths:

Red Dye

2 beets
2 cups of water
1 tablespoon distilled vinegar

Bring beets and water to boil. Simmer at low heat for 15 minutes. Cool and strain and add vinegar.

Blue Dye

1 package frozen or fresh blueberries
2 cups of water

Bring blueberries and water to a boil. Crush berries with a fork. Lower heat and simmer 15 minutes. Cool and strain into a cheese cloth lined strainer.

Very Light Yellow Dye

2 cups packed onion skins
3 cups of water

Bring onion skins and water to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. (Note: you do not use vinegar when making the onion dye) Onion skins do not create much color but are fun to do.

Golden Yellow

Turmeric makes a good egg dye. Use 2 tablespoons of turmeric and follow above instructions. Be careful in handling turmeric as it stains easily. Protect your countertops and wash out your sink right away. Also, protect your hands otherwise they might turn a pretty shade of yellow too!

Have fun creating your own colors!

Red/Pink – fresh beets, canned or frozen cherries, crushed cranberries

Light Orange – yellow onion skins

Light yellow – lemon and orange peels or ground cumin

Light green – spinach

Blue – crushed blueberries or red cabbage leaves – that’s right! Red cabbage makes blue dye! (pre-boil leaves for 30 minutes) (photo note: blueberry dye on brown egg and two natural brown eggs)

Beige - coffee

If you liked this project, you can find it and several more in our Easter Eggs: Easter Egg Designs, Tips for Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs, Egg Recipes free eBook!