All Natural Egg Dyes {Plus a Paint Recipe}

Written by Contributing Writer, Kelly @ Eyes On The Source

Egg dyeing kits are a very fun and popular purchase this time of year, but how simple it is to make your own dyes using natural spices, teas, fruits and vegetables!  You can create beautiful egg displays experimenting with these natural dyes.  Plus, you don’t have to worry about what ingredients are in store bought kits.

These are some general recipes to try.  Add more or less water/vinegar to vary the colors.  So many possibilities!

The easiest way I have found to hard-boil eggs without over cooking them is this:

Add eggs to a pot with enough cool water to cover them and a splash (about a Tbsp or so) of vinegar.  Vinegar helps to clean the eggshells and aids in absorption of color.  Bring to a boil for 1 minute.  Cover, remove from heat and let sit for 15-20 minutes.  Remove with a slotted spoon and place into a bowl of ice water to cool.

To make natural colorful dyes:

Blue/Purple

Blueberries, Purple Cabbage

Boil 2 Cups of water with 1/2 cup of blueberries or 1/2 head of purple cabbage.  Add a splash of vinegar. Simmer for 20 minutes.  Cool and then soak eggs until desired color.

Yellow/Orange

Turmeric, Onion Skins

Boil 2 cups of water with 3 Tbsp of turmeric or skins from 3 onions.  Add a splash of vinegar.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  Strain onion skins.  Cool and then soak eggs until desired color.

Red/Pink

Red teas, cherries, paprika, beets

Boil 2 cups of water with 2-4 tea bags, 3/4 cup cherries, 3 Tbsp paprika or 3 medium chopped beets.  Add a splash of vinegar.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  Strain and cool.  Soak eggs until desired color.

Brown/Tan

Coffee, Tea

Brew 2 cups of strong tea or coffee.  Cool and soak eggs.

Soak in two or more colors to vary the results.  Another idea is to add the color while you hard boil the eggs if you want to make several small batches.

When you have finished dying the eggs, you can use the leftover dyes to make natural paints (or paint the eggs)!

Natural Paints:

• 2 Tbsp natural dye (from above recipes)
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1 Tbsp liquid dish soap

Have you tried other egg dying techniques?  What has worked well for you?